About this mac system storage how to#
About this mac system storage free#

If you delete applications by just dragging and dropping them into the Trash bin, read our article РІР‚Сљ How to completely uninstall applications on Mac.РІР‚Сњ In fact, the applicationsРІР‚в„ў leftovers might remain on your Mac and occupy valuable space in your system storage. Another possibility is that you have many remaining files of already removed applications. If your system data is huge and takes up most space on your Mac, then you most likely have lots of applications whose caches you never cleared. Therefore, if your system storage (macOS + system data) takes around 40-50 GB, then thatРІР‚в„ўs okay. By default, the average size of a macOS system is 12-16 GB. You may notice in the storage usage bar that system data is high and takes so much space on your Mac.

Why does system data take up so much space? Read also: РІР‚Сљ Three ways to get to Library on MacРІР‚Сњ

You will see the Library folder containing many subfolders with applications and system service files.

In the search panel, type ~/Library and press Return.

However, you can get access to them via FinderРІР‚в„ўs menu. By default, Apple keeps these folders hidden to protect them from being accidentally deleted or removed. Most of the files from the system storage category are located in the System and Library folders.

About this mac system storage free#

Moreover, it is recommended to periodically clean up your system storage from unneeded files, because a low free disk space can cause your Mac performance to slow down. Caches, broken service files, old backups, and temporary files of already removed applications can all be removed. However, unlike other types of items in the sidebar, you canРІР‚в„ўt manage your system storage and canРІР‚в„ўt see what files are associated with this category.Р”В«y default, Apple hides system data because removing some important files can damage the system however, some of the system storage data is unneeded and can be safely removed. Here, you also will find the Other Data category. You will see a new window with the recommendations to free up space on your Mac.

Here, you will find your storage usage bar chart with system data volume information.

Go to the Apple menu and select About this Mac.

To see your system data volume, do the following: In our previous article, you can learn more about Other storage on Mac. While in macOS Monterey you can see macOS and System Data volumes separately, the Other category includes both these items. Note, in macOS Big Sur and earlier versions, the System Data is called Other.