System Data taking up too much space on your Mac? Here’s how to clean it up

⚡ Fast fix

• Review Apple recommendations: Open System Settings and go to General > Storage.
• Empty the Trash. Add any unnecessary files to the Trash and empty it.
• Restart your Mac. Let macOS clear out temporary caches.

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If you’ve ever been trying to free up storage on your Mac® only to get frustrated with the unexpectedly large chunk of space System Data takes up, you’re not alone. What’s even worse is that there’s no obvious way to see what System Data in Mac storage really is. Don’t worry, though; you can peek in there and even reduce MacBook® system data.

At Asurion, we help people understand their devices, from top to bottom, including System Data. Here’s our guide on how to clean Mac system data so you have more room for the files you care about.

What System Data storage actually includes

When you take a closer look at your Mac storage, one of your first questions will probably be: “What is System Data on Mac?”

System data is a catch-all macOS® category, not a single file type. The large Mac system data contains lots of smaller things like caches, logs, temporary files, local snapshots, and application support data. If you’re not sure exactly what cache is, check out our guide.

As you use your computer, macOS System Data grows and takes up more space on your Mac, often without you even realizing it. You accumulate app caches, failed or incomplete downloads, and local backup snapshots. Luckily, you can remove some of that data to free up space.

How to manage System Data on Mac

Follow these steps to clear up space when System Data on your Mac storage is too large.

1. Open System Settings > Storage Management.
2. Review and act on Apple's built-in recommendations.
3. Open Finder > Go > Go to Folder.
4. Type in ~/Library/Caches and press Enter.
5. Choose any large folders you don’t need and drag them to Trash.
6. Open Finder > Downloads.
7. Drag any large and unnecessary downloads to Trash.
8. Consider moving files to iCloud instead of keeping them locally on your computer if freeing device storage is the main goal.
9. Open Trash and select Empty >Empty Trash.

When you go back into storage, check whether System Data on your Mac is still huge after making these changes. You should notice some more free space on your computer.

Manage Time Machine snapshots and old backups

After setting up Time Machine on an external drive, some people worry the backup snapshots will take up extra space on their computers. Luckily, if you use Time Machine, macOS usually manages and frees up your local Time Machine snapshots automatically as needed. You don't have to delete them manually.

Check for outdated iOS device backups stored on your computer, though. If you find any, delete them.

What not to delete

When you’re trying to free up space on your computer, it’s tempting to delete lots of files quickly, especially if you don’t recognize them. Taking that approach can cause more harm than good, though.

Avoid these common mistakes when trying to make more room for files on your Mac.

• Manually deleting all unfamiliar files: You may not recognize files in the Library folder, but they’re still important. Deleting Library folders can crash macOS, so don’t touch them.
• Using third-party "cleaner" apps: Some apps claim to shrink System Data, but they may remove files macOS still needs. They may also bundle adware you don’t want on your computer.
• Emptying app folders directly: If there are apps you no longer use, uninstall them properly rather than dragging their folders to the trash. Otherwise, you may be left with hidden support files taking up space.

If you’re still having trouble keeping your Mac’s storage in check, look into upgrading your Mac's storage so you have more room to work with.

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FAQ

Why do I have 200 GB of system data on my Mac?

You may have accumulated caches, logs, temporary files, local snapshots, and application support data while using your computer. Try deleting unnecessary files to free up space.

Is it safe to delete System Data on Mac?

Yes, as long as you target temporary files, like caches and logs. You shouldn't remove any system directories or operating system files, as your computer relies on them to work.

How do you get rid of System Data on Mac?

You can lower the amount of space System Data takes up by clearing your app caches, deleting old iOS backups, and emptying the trash.