Doesn't this seem a little outrageous?
How do I reduce the system storage? Some sources have told me that it's a fixed allocation but that's BS, it changes all the time. I know I don't have a lot of on-device storage, but I hardly have any files because I use an external drive. How can I fix this?
Mac mini, macOS 26.2
Thank you. I forgot I also asked Manus AI about this, and it gave me these suggestions. It seemed to work in the past, so I think I will repeat these steps. What do you think about this?
Guide: How to Safely Reduce "System Data" on macOS
Reducing the "System Data" category (formerly "Other") is the most effective way to reclaim storage without touching your personal files or risking the operating system's stability. Below is a prioritized list of methods, from the easiest to the more advanced.
1. Clear Local Time Machine Snapshots (High Impact)
Even if you don't use Time Machine, macOS often creates "local snapshots" that can take up dozens of gigabytes. These are supposed to be deleted automatically when space is low, but the system isn't always aggressive enough.
StepActionCommand/Instructions1Open TerminalFound in Applications > Utilities > Terminal2List SnapshotsType tmutil listlocalsnapshots / and press Enter3Delete AllUse this script to clear them all at once: for d in $(tmutil listlocalsnapshotdates | grep "-"); do sudo tmutil deletelocalsnapshots $d; done
Note: You will be asked for your Mac password. Characters won't appear as you type them.
2. Purge User Caches (Medium Impact)
Caches are temporary files created by apps to speed things up. Over time, they can become bloated or corrupt.
1.Open Finder.
2.Press Shift + Command + G.
3.Type ~/Library/Caches and press Enter.
4.You can safely delete the contents of these folders.
5.Restart your Mac immediately after to let the system rebuild necessary caches.
3. Remove Large Application Support Files
Some apps store massive amounts of data in the "Application Support" folder rather than the "Applications" folder.
1.In Finder, press Shift + Command + G.
2.Type ~/Library/Application Support and press Enter.
3.Look for folders of apps you no longer use or apps known for high data usage (like Steam, Adobe, or Spotify).
4.Delete folders belonging to uninstalled apps.
4. Clear System Logs
Logs record system and app activity. While usually small, they can occasionally grow out of control if an app is malfunctioning.
1.In Finder, press Shift + Command + G.
2.Type /var/folders and press Enter.
3.This is more advanced; it's safer to use a tool like Disk Inventory X (free) or GrandPerspective (free) to visualize what is taking up space in these hidden system directories before deleting anything.
5. Built-in "Optimize Storage" Tools
Apple provides a basic cleanup tool that is often overlooked.
1.Click the Apple Menu () > System Settings.
2.Go to General > Storage.
3.Look at the "Recommendations" section.
4.Use the "Optimize Storage" or "Empty Trash Automatically" options if you haven't already.
Summary Table of Potential Savings
MethodEstimated RecoveryRisk LevelLocal Snapshots5GB - 50GB+Very LowUser Caches1GB - 10GBLowApp SupportVariableModerate (Only delete what you recognize)System Logs< 1GBLow
Thank you. I forgot I also asked Manus AI about this, and it gave me these suggestions. It seemed to work in the past, so I think I will repeat these steps. What do you think about this?
Guide: How to Safely Reduce "System Data" on macOS
Reducing the "System Data" category (formerly "Other") is the most effective way to reclaim storage without touching your personal files or risking the operating system's stability. Below is a prioritized list of methods, from the easiest to the more advanced.
1. Clear Local Time Machine Snapshots (High Impact)
Even if you don't use Time Machine, macOS often creates "local snapshots" that can take up dozens of gigabytes. These are supposed to be deleted automatically when space is low, but the system isn't always aggressive enough.
StepActionCommand/Instructions1Open TerminalFound in Applications > Utilities > Terminal2List SnapshotsType tmutil listlocalsnapshots / and press Enter3Delete AllUse this script to clear them all at once: for d in $(tmutil listlocalsnapshotdates | grep "-"); do sudo tmutil deletelocalsnapshots $d; done
Note: You will be asked for your Mac password. Characters won't appear as you type them.
2. Purge User Caches (Medium Impact)
Caches are temporary files created by apps to speed things up. Over time, they can become bloated or corrupt.
1.Open Finder.
2.Press Shift + Command + G.
3.Type ~/Library/Caches and press Enter.
4.You can safely delete the contents of these folders.
5.Restart your Mac immediately after to let the system rebuild necessary caches.
3. Remove Large Application Support Files
Some apps store massive amounts of data in the "Application Support" folder rather than the "Applications" folder.
1.In Finder, press Shift + Command + G.
2.Type ~/Library/Application Support and press Enter.
3.Look for folders of apps you no longer use or apps known for high data usage (like Steam, Adobe, or Spotify).
4.Delete folders belonging to uninstalled apps.
4. Clear System Logs
Logs record system and app activity. While usually small, they can occasionally grow out of control if an app is malfunctioning.
1.In Finder, press Shift + Command + G.
2.Type /var/folders and press Enter.
3.This is more advanced; it's safer to use a tool like Disk Inventory X (free) or GrandPerspective (free) to visualize what is taking up space in these hidden system directories before deleting anything.
5. Built-in "Optimize Storage" Tools
Apple provides a basic cleanup tool that is often overlooked.
1.Click the Apple Menu () > System Settings.
2.Go to General > Storage.
3.Look at the "Recommendations" section.
4.Use the "Optimize Storage" or "Empty Trash Automatically" options if you haven't already.
Summary Table of Potential Savings
MethodEstimated RecoveryRisk LevelLocal Snapshots5GB - 50GB+Very LowUser Caches1GB - 10GBLowApp SupportVariableModerate (Only delete what you recognize)System Logs< 1GBLow
This is a problem that user complain about every day, and the lowest capacity drives - 256 GB - especially tend to exacerbate the problem.
You can’t directly manage the contents of system data. That is done by macOS. The category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac.
Here are some things that you can do everyday to create and maintain free space:
• Reboot your Mac at least weekly. Let the OS do housekeeping and clear caches.
• Empty the Trash in the Dock.
• Empty the trash in the Photos app.
• Delete unused and unneeded application installers from your downloads folder and desktop. No need to store on your Mac what you can freely download any time.
• Transfer files that you don’t use daily to an external drive and then delete them from the startup drive and empty the trash. Files that typically take up the most room are movies, images and music.
This from Apple on the subject of freeing up space:
Free up storage space on Mac - Apple Support
Also, please see this guidance from Apple:
Find and delete files on your Mac - Apple Support
And this: How to Use Finder to Clear “System Data" on a Mac - User Tip (Thank you, @TheLittles!)
Also, if you have enabled Time Machine to back up your Mac automatically and do not keep your backup drive connected all the time, then MacOS keeps a number of Time Machine snapshots on the drive as part of the backup process. These TM snapshots can occupy a significant amount of drive space. You can disable the creation of these many TM snapshots by setting TM to backup manually rather than automatically at intervals.
You can view and manage these in Disk Utility or in the Terminal app.
Yes. 👍🏽
Most, if not all, of this is covered in the user tip created by our friend, @TheLittles. I posted the link above.
System Data taking up the majority of storage Mac mini
