User level: Level 1 (4 points)I just moved to a mac mini. I thought 250 GB would be enough as I have a nice external drive, but all of my memory is taken up by something. Even moved most docs to the cloud.
[Edited by Moderator]
Posted on Oct 19, 2026 11:51 AM
User level: Level 10 (123,805 points)Oct 20, 2026 1:26 AM in response to Jim Bratton
System Data taking up a large amount of storage is a common question on Mac.
There is no single setting that simply “clears” System Data because this category can include a variety of files, including caches, logs, temporary files, and APFS snapshots.
If you want the most comprehensive solution, back up first, erase the Mac, and reinstall macOS.
For Apple silicon Macs, use Erase All Content and Settings.
This removes your data, settings, and applications while leaving the currently installed version of macOS in place.
Make a current Time Machine backup before erasing anything. Apple: Back up your Mac with Time Machine
Afterward, use Migration Assistant to transfer your user account rather than the entire old system, and reinstall only the applications you actually need.
If you do not want to erase the Mac, first determine what is actually consuming the space. DaisyDisk can provide a clearer view of storage usage, and Apple documents how to view APFS snapshots in Disk Utility.
The following Apple Community discussions document additional approaches. Results can vary depending on what is responsible for the storage usage:
Also consider moving large personal files—particularly Photos, videos, music, and other files you control—to an external SSD as my colleague @den.thed has suggested
This is often a more appropriate way to free internal storage than attempting to delete files that macOS manages as System Data.
User level: Level 10 (99,154 points)Oct 19, 2026 12:26 PM in response to Jim Bratton
What are you moving to free up internal storage space...?
What is currently on the external drive and how is it formatted...?
To free up space, you can move your Photos, Music and/or Movie Libraries to a properly formatted external drive.
Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support
Change where your music files are stored on Mac - Apple Support
Move Logic Pro for Mac and MainStage content - Apple Support
User level: Level 10 (99,154 points)Oct 19, 2026 1:01 PM in response to Jim Bratton
I recommend using OmniDiskSweeper, instead of the misleading Apple > Storage eye-candy.
User level: Level 1 (4 points)Oct 19, 2026 12:48 PM in response to den.thed
I want to figure out what is taking up 188 GB. I've done all the cache things and such. There is no way the drive should be that full.
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256379112