{"id":1538,"date":"2024-05-11T03:39:15","date_gmt":"2024-05-11T03:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/?p=1538"},"modified":"2025-01-02T06:04:40","modified_gmt":"2025-01-02T06:04:40","slug":"clear-system-storage-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/clear-system-storage-mac\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Effective Solutions to Clear System Storage on Mac [2025]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Have you ever been working on your Mac and received a pop-up saying, \u201cYour Mac is running low on disk space\u201d? You might wonder why your storage data is so huge, especially if you remember not having many files or documents. If you&#8217;re in the middle of a task with a looming deadline, you&#8217;re probably most concerned with how to clear system storage on your Mac. Continue reading this blog to find solutions for the excessive system storage on your Mac.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"529\" height=\"550\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/mac-warning-running-low-on-disk-space.png\" alt=\"mac warning running low on disk space\" class=\"wp-image-1540\" style=\"width:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/mac-warning-running-low-on-disk-space.png 529w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/mac-warning-running-low-on-disk-space-289x300.png 289w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 529px) 100vw, 529px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/clear-system-storage-mac\/#What_is_System_Data_on_Mac\" title=\"What is System Data on Mac?&nbsp;\">What is System Data on Mac?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/clear-system-storage-mac\/#How_to_Check_How_Much_Storage_Space_is_Available\" title=\"How to Check How Much Storage Space is Available\">How to Check How Much Storage Space is Available<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/clear-system-storage-mac\/#5_Solutions_to_Clear_System_Storage_on_Mac\" title=\"5 Solutions to Clear System Storage on Mac&nbsp;\">5 Solutions to Clear System Storage on Mac&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/clear-system-storage-mac\/#Method_1_Remove_Time_Machine_Backups_Snapshots_to_Delete_System_Data_on_Mac\" title=\"Method 1: Remove Time Machine Backups &amp; Snapshots to Delete System Data on Mac\">Method 1: Remove Time Machine Backups &amp; Snapshots to Delete System Data on Mac<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/clear-system-storage-mac\/#Method_2_Clear_Old_iOS_Backups_to_Clear_up_Storage_on_Mac\" title=\"Method 2: Clear Old iOS Backups to Clear up Storage on Mac&nbsp;\">Method 2: Clear Old iOS Backups to Clear up Storage on Mac&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/clear-system-storage-mac\/#Method_3_Delete_Mac_System_Data_by_Optimizing_Storage\" title=\"Method 3: Delete Mac System Data by Optimizing Storage\">Method 3: Delete Mac System Data by Optimizing Storage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/clear-system-storage-mac\/#Method_4_Manually_Clear_Mac_System_Data_to_Free_up_Storage\" title=\"Method 4: Manually Clear Mac System Data to Free up Storage\">Method 4: Manually Clear Mac System Data to Free up Storage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/clear-system-storage-mac\/#Method_5_Clean_Cache_Files_And_Delete_Your_Downloads_Folder\" title=\"Method 5: Clean Cache Files And Delete Your Downloads Folder\">Method 5: Clean Cache Files And Delete Your Downloads Folder<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/clear-system-storage-mac\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion&nbsp;\">Conclusion&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/clear-system-storage-mac\/#FAQs_on_Deleting_System_Data_Mac_Storage\" title=\"FAQs on Deleting System Data Mac Storage\">FAQs on Deleting System Data Mac Storage<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_System_Data_on_Mac\"><\/span>What is System Data on Mac?&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On Mac computers, &#8220;System Data&#8221; refers to the files and information necessary for the operating system&#8217;s functionality, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/windows-tips\/delete-tmp-files\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">temporary files<\/a>, caches, logs, and system backups. These components can occupy a few gigabytes to over 100GB of storage, making understanding them vital for efficient storage management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a breakdown of several types of system data commonly found on a Mac:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>\ud83d\udccb<strong>Type of System Data <\/strong><\/td><td>\u2728<strong>Description<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Temporary Files<\/td><td>Used during software updates, temporary files like .tmp and .psb are usually safe to delete if no installations are ongoing.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cache Files<\/td><td>Cache files speed up app and website loading by storing temporary data. Common formats include .cache, .db, or specific folders.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>System Logs<\/td><td>Record system and application events for troubleshooting. Log files, like system.log or wifi.log, typically end in .log.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Application Backups<\/td><td>Old data from uninstalled apps, these may include device backups and .plist configuration files.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Localization Files<\/td><td>Containing language data, these files might appear as .bak files or duplicates of application directories.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>System Configuration Files<\/td><td>Files like .plist store system and app settings.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Managing these files effectively can help free up space and enhance your Mac&#8217;s performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Check_How_Much_Storage_Space_is_Available\"><\/span>How to Check How Much Storage Space is Available<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now you have an understanding of what system data really means and the types it comes in. But how can you check how much storage space is available on your Mac? Here are the steps to follow:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click on the Apple menu located at the top left of your screen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"423\" height=\"377\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-apple-menu-button.png\" alt=\"click apple menu button\" class=\"wp-image-1542\" style=\"width:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-apple-menu-button.png 423w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-apple-menu-button-300x267.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 423px) 100vw, 423px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click \u201cSystem Preferences\u201d and then hit \u201cGeneral\u201d in the sidebar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"423\" height=\"377\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-system-preferences.png\" alt=\"click system preferences button\" class=\"wp-image-1543\" style=\"width:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-system-preferences.png 423w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-system-preferences-300x267.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 423px) 100vw, 423px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"699\" height=\"568\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/genneral-button-mac.png\" alt=\"genneral button on mac\" class=\"wp-image-1544\" style=\"width:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/genneral-button-mac.png 699w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/genneral-button-mac-300x244.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 699px) 100vw, 699px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click on \u201cStorage\u201d at this point. A graphical view of your storage, showing you how it is used, will appear here.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"609\" height=\"424\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/storage-button-mac.png\" alt=\"storage button mac\" class=\"wp-image-1545\" style=\"width:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/storage-button-mac.png 609w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/storage-button-mac-300x209.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 609px) 100vw, 609px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When you hover over various colors in the graph, you can see how much space each category takes up. Your Mac\u2019s free storage space is shown by a light gray area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"474\" height=\"228\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/mac-storage.png\" alt=\"mac storage\" class=\"wp-image-1546\" style=\"width:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/mac-storage.png 474w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/mac-storage-300x144.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Solutions_to_Clear_System_Storage_on_Mac\"><\/span>5 Solutions to Clear System Storage on Mac&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, let me cut to the chase and answer that long-awaited question that led you to read this blog: here are methods that work best when it comes to clearing up mac system storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Method_1_Remove_Time_Machine_Backups_Snapshots_to_Delete_System_Data_on_Mac\"><\/span>Method 1: Remove Time Machine Backups &amp; Snapshots to Delete System Data on Mac<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>By removing time machine backups as well as snapshots, you can free up system storage on a mac. Below are the detailed steps and tips for each process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1.<strong> Removing Time Machine Backups<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Time Machine backups are typically stored on an external drive, and over time, they can accumulate and consume a lot of space. But I know you&#8217;re still wondering why that is. Well, take video editors, for instance. These backups save every change they make hourly, including large files. Over time, this leads to backups consuming hundreds of gigabytes, as each version of every file is preserved. Here&#8217;s how to manage these backups:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ensure your external backup drive is connected to your Mac.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Then go to System Preferences &gt; Time Machine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"583\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/removing-time-machine-backups.png\" alt=\"removing time machine backups\" class=\"wp-image-1550\" style=\"width:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/removing-time-machine-backups.png 583w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/removing-time-machine-backups-300x257.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 583px) 100vw, 583px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click &#8220;Enter Time Machine&#8221; after clicking the Time Machine icon in the menu bar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"670\" height=\"441\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-enter-time-machine.png\" alt=\"click enter time machine\" class=\"wp-image-1552\" style=\"width:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-enter-time-machine.png 670w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-enter-time-machine-300x197.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Navigate through the different backups and find the one you want to delete.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"695\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/select-backup-disk.png\" alt=\"select backup disk\" class=\"wp-image-1553\" style=\"width:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/select-backup-disk.png 695w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/select-backup-disk-300x141.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 695px) 100vw, 695px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Right-click on the backup and choose &#8220;Delete Backup&#8221; or use the gear icon in the Finder window to select &#8220;Delete Backup&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udca1<strong>Tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Make sure to check the dates of the backups you are deleting to ensure you do not need the data from those backups.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s wise to keep more recent Time Machine backups just in case you need to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/restore-from-time-machine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">restore files that are accidentally deleted or lost<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>2. <strong>Removing Time Machine Snapshots<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Time Machine also creates local snapshots stored on your Mac\u2019s internal drive, aiding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-data-recovery\/recover-data-from-mac-hard-drive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">mac data recovery<\/a> when the backup isn&#8217;t connected. However, these snapshots consume significant space, storing hourly versions of modified files, particularly impacting users of large files or data-intensive applications. But here are steps to Remove Time Machine Snapshots:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Open Terminal:<\/strong> Found in Applications &gt; Utilities &gt; Terminal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>List Snapshots<\/strong>: Type \u2018tmutil listlocalsnapshots \/\u2019 and press enter to see all snapshots.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"626\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/removing-time-machine-snapshots.png\" alt=\"removing time machine snapshots\" class=\"wp-image-1554\" style=\"width:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/removing-time-machine-snapshots.png 626w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/removing-time-machine-snapshots-300x216.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 626px) 100vw, 626px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Delete Snapshots<\/strong>: To delete a snapshot, type \u2018sudo tmutil deletelocalsnapshots [snapshot-date]\u2019 replacing \u2018[snapshot-date]\u2019 with the date of the snapshot you want to delete.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"471\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/delete-snapshots.png\" alt=\"delete snapshots\" class=\"wp-image-1555\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/delete-snapshots.png 681w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/delete-snapshots-300x207.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udca1<strong>Tips<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>macOS automatically manages snapshots, deleting old ones as needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manually delete only to immediately free space.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&nbsp;Enter Terminal commands carefully.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Method_2_Clear_Old_iOS_Backups_to_Clear_up_Storage_on_Mac\"><\/span>Method 2: Clear Old iOS Backups to Clear up Storage on Mac<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, that\u2019s not all. Another method you can employ to free space on your Mac&#8217;s system data storage is to clear old iOS backups. This is a great way to free up storage space. Here are the steps to follow in order to carry it out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Connect Your iOS Device<\/strong>: This involves connecting an iPhone or iPad to your Mac.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Open Finder<\/strong>: After connecting the iPhone or iPad, proceed by opening Finder and selecting the device from the sidebar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"352\" height=\"551\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/open-finder.png\" alt=\"open Finder\" class=\"wp-image-1556\" style=\"width:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/open-finder.png 352w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/open-finder-192x300.png 192w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Manage Backups<\/strong>: Select \u201cManage Backups\u201d to see all stored backups on the Mac.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"694\" height=\"573\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-manage-backups.png\" alt=\"click manage backups button\" class=\"wp-image-1557\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-manage-backups.png 694w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-manage-backups-300x248.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 694px) 100vw, 694px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Delete Backups<\/strong>: Select any backup you wish to delete, click on it then press the \u2018Delete Backup\u2019 button; if asked confirm your choice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"858\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/delete-backups-button.png\" alt=\"delete backups button\" class=\"wp-image-1558\" style=\"width:500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/delete-backups-button.png 858w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/delete-backups-button-300x182.png 300w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/delete-backups-button-768x466.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 858px) 100vw, 858px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udca1<strong>Tips When Applying This Method<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Before deleting any backup files ensure that there is a newer one saved in iCloud<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regularly removing old backups will prevent filling up of your storage too fast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To make sure you\u2019re freeing up&nbsp; space, check how big each backup is before deletion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This method assists in keeping sufficient space on Mac as it deletes unnecessary previous backups which tend to consume a large amount of space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Method_3_Delete_Mac_System_Data_by_Optimizing_Storage\"><\/span>Method 3: Delete Mac System Data by Optimizing Storage<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>How to clear system storage on your Mac can also be solved through the method macOS offers, an optimization feature called &#8220;Optimize Storage.&#8221; Before any confusion arises about what this really entails, let me introduce you to how the optimization feature helps manage space by providing several options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Store in iCloud: <\/strong>By enabling this option, you are able to move desktop and document folders together with photos and messages and transfer them to the cloud storage, freeing some space on your Mac.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"559\" height=\"424\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-the-store-in-icloud-button.png\" alt=\"click the store in iCloud button\" class=\"wp-image-1560\" style=\"width:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-the-store-in-icloud-button.png 559w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-the-store-in-icloud-button-300x228.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 559px) 100vw, 559px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Optimize Storage: <\/strong>It keeps only recent email attachments on your Mac but automatically removes watched movies and TV shows from Apple TV.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"559\" height=\"424\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-the-optimize-storage-button.png\" alt=\"click the optimize storage button\" class=\"wp-image-1562\" style=\"width:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-the-optimize-storage-button.png 559w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-the-optimize-storage-button-300x228.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 559px) 100vw, 559px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Empty Trash Automatically: <\/strong>Turn it on so that trash deletes files after 30 days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Using these tools helps you manage and reduce clutter on your Mac&#8217;s hard drive, making more space available for other uses.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"559\" height=\"424\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/turnon-the-empty-trash-automatically-button.png\" alt=\"turn on the empty trash automatically button\" class=\"wp-image-1563\" style=\"width:450px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/turnon-the-empty-trash-automatically-button.png 559w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/turnon-the-empty-trash-automatically-button-300x228.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 559px) 100vw, 559px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Method_4_Manually_Clear_Mac_System_Data_to_Free_up_Storage\"><\/span>Method 4: Manually Clear Mac System Data to Free up Storage<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Manually clearing Mac system data is a practical approach to freeing up space on your Mac by identifying where the data is stored and deleting it. However, it requires careful handling to avoid losing important data. Here\u2019s how you can manually clear system data:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Locate System Data: <\/strong>Open Finder and click on \u201cGo\u201d. Select \u201cGo to Folder\u201d then enter ~\/Library\/Caches for cache files or ~\/Library\/Logs for log files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"812\" height=\"516\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/manually-clear-mac-system-data-to-free-up-storage.png\" alt=\"manually clear mac system data to free up storage\" class=\"wp-image-1564\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/manually-clear-mac-system-data-to-free-up-storage.png 812w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/manually-clear-mac-system-data-to-free-up-storage-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/manually-clear-mac-system-data-to-free-up-storage-768x488.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 812px) 100vw, 812px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"775\" height=\"497\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-the-library-button.png\" alt=\"click the library button\" class=\"wp-image-1565\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-the-library-button.png 775w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-the-library-button-300x192.png 300w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/click-the-library-button-768x493.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"468\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/cache-folder.png\" alt=\"click the cache folder\" class=\"wp-image-1566\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/cache-folder.png 768w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/cache-folder-300x183.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Review Files Carefully: <\/strong>Check them well to confirm that they do not matter in any way to the working of your system or application since if you delete such critical files, they can cause errors in your system or even lead to malfunction of apps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Delete Unnecessary Files: <\/strong>Drag old and unnecessary cache files and outdated system logs into the Trash.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"676\" height=\"362\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/delete-unnecessary-files.png\" alt=\"delete unnecessary files\" class=\"wp-image-1567\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/delete-unnecessary-files.png 676w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/delete-unnecessary-files-300x161.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Empty the Trash: <\/strong>Finally make sure you empty trash which actually frees up storage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udca1<strong>Tips<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Always backup important information prior to deletion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Periodically clean system data using provided macOS built-in storage utilities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Method_5_Clean_Cache_Files_And_Delete_Your_Downloads_Folder\"><\/span>Method 5: Clean Cache Files And Delete Your Downloads Folder<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cleaning the cache and deleting the Downloads folder are also effective ways to free up system storage on your Mac. You can follow this detailed guide below on how to perform these tasks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cleaning Cache Files on a Mac:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Cache files are temporary data stored by applications to enhance performance but can occupy substantial space over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49<strong>Steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Open Finder<\/strong>: Click the Finder icon in your dock.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Go to Folder:<\/strong> From the Finder menu, select &#8220;Go&#8221; then &#8220;Go to Folder&#8221;.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Type the Path<\/strong>: Enter ~\/Library\/Caches and press Enter to access the cache folder.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Select Files<\/strong>: Choose individual items or press Command + A to select all.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Move to Trash<\/strong>: Right-click and select &#8220;Move to Trash&#8221; or drag the files to the Trash icon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Caution<\/strong>: Deleting cache files might affect application behavior. Proceed with caution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>2. <strong>Deleting the Downloads Folder:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This folder often contains large, accumulated files downloaded from the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49<strong>Steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Open Finder: <\/strong>Click the Finder icon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"775\" height=\"229\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/open-finder-button.png\" alt=\"open finder button\" class=\"wp-image-1569\" style=\"width:400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/open-finder-button.png 775w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/open-finder-button-300x89.png 300w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/open-finder-button-768x227.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Navigate to Downloads:<\/strong> Click on &#8220;Downloads&#8221; in the Finder sidebar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"744\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/navigate-to-downloads.png\" alt=\"navigate to downloads\" class=\"wp-image-1570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/navigate-to-downloads.png 744w, https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/navigate-to-downloads-300x180.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 744px) 100vw, 744px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Review Files<\/strong>: Examine each file to determine necessity and select accordingly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Move to Trash:<\/strong> Right-click and select &#8220;Move to Trash&#8221; or drag the files to the Trash.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We have provided you with five methods to answer your question, &#8220;How to clear system storage on Mac.&#8221; There&#8217;s no need to worry when your Mac displays the &#8220;Your disk space is running low&#8221; notification. Simply ensure you follow all the procedures given above accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_on_Deleting_System_Data_Mac_Storage\"><\/span>FAQs on Deleting System Data Mac Storage<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Are there still questions bothering you about how you can really get system data deleted from Mac storage? Well, how about having your questions answered before you even ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1\ufe0f\u20e3<strong>Why Does System Data Take So Much Space on Mac?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>System Data on a mac includes caches, app data, system logs and iOS backups which can consume up significant space.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These elements speed up processes but can accumulate especially with unused or old files from updates.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regular cleaning is essential so as to free up storage for new applications and files.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>2\ufe0f\u20e3<strong>How to Clear System Storage on Mac Free?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To free up memory in your computer, use Finder to clean cache files; navigate ~\/Library\/Caches, select files and delete them accordingly.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remove unwanted items from the Downloads folder.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Trash should always be empty and important information has to be backed up regularly so as not to lose any vital data.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you ever been working on your Mac and received a pop-up saying, \u201cYour Mac&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1627,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1538","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1538"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1538\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2271,"href":"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1538\/revisions\/2271"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1627"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1538"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1538"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tinyfrom.com\/mac-tips\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1538"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}