Hello everyone, I have macbook m4 and system data takes up 82 gb; does anybody know why and how to fix that
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System Data takes up too much memory
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Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support
To help determine whether an issue is caused by software that loads as your Mac starts up, you can start up your Mac in safe mode.
The category named System Data (or Other) is a general category that measures the storage space used by all Apple and third-party files that don’t belong to any more specific category.
The system will use space as it sees fit to make the machine work better for you. Much of that is probably purgeable, meaning that if you ever reach a point where you need space, the OS will free it up for you.
You are not lacking for free space. I wouldn’t worry about it. Modern operating systems are very advanced and manage resources well.
Here is Apple’s take:
support.apple.com
The system will use space as it sees fit to make the machine work better for you. Much of that is probably purgeable, meaning that if you ever reach a point where you need space, the OS will free it up for you.
You are not lacking for free space. I wouldn’t worry about it. Modern operating systems are very advanced and manage resources well.
Here is Apple’s take:
Free up storage space on Mac - Apple Support
Learn what to do if your Mac startup disk is almost full, or you don't have enough storage space to download, install, or copy.
How is this helpful at all? Ok hes in safe mode, now what?Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support
To help determine whether an issue is caused by software that loads as your Mac starts up, you can start up your Mac in safe mode.
This is not entirely true, often times junk files will be falsely classified as system data. @MacRabbits the real solution is to use GrandPerspective or something like it (100% free if you get from sourceforge, or you can pay $2.99 to support the developer on the app store): https://grandperspectiv.sourceforge.net/The category named System Data (or Other) is a general category that measures the storage space used by all Apple and third-party files that don’t belong to any more specific category.
The system will use space as it sees fit to make the machine work better for you. Much of that is probably purgeable, meaning that if you ever reach a point where you need space, the OS will free it up for you.
You are not lacking for free space. I wouldn’t worry about it. Modern operating systems are very advanced and manage resources well.
Here is Apple’s take:
Free up storage space on Mac - Apple Support
Learn what to do if your Mac startup disk is almost full, or you don't have enough storage space to download, install, or copy.
- Open the app
- Press select Folder
- Select your Macintosh HD
- Press Scan
- Any folder permission that pops up give it full permission, after a minute or two it will show you a whole map of your storage. The bigger the square = the bigger the file. See what they are and delete any junk/cached items
Right click on it, then press Reveal and delete it if you dont need it.
From Apple:
Temporarily free up more storage space
To temporarily make more storage space available, it might help to start up your Mac in safe mode. Your Mac then clears certain system caches, which are automatically created again as needed. This might provide enough storage space to complete a task that needs more space only while the task is underway, such as when installing a macOS update. To leave safe mode, restart your Mac normally.