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macOS Monterey System Data is full, but nothing is there.

My computer keeps running out of disk space after I had the cloud synced up. I turned it off and made sure none of those files were hanging around. I can't seem to figure out where 906GB of System data are. My cache files are basically empty, no trash, no downloads. I was told it could take a while for the cloud to unsync, and it's been maybe 3 weeks since unsyncing.


When I click manage:


Any clue how to fix this? It's making every program unusable and I can't download or unzip files anymore.

MacBook Pro (2021)

Posted on Apr 20, 2023 10:20 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 20, 2023 11:16 AM

If you have recently turned of "cloud"?, then you will have to wait about 24 hours for the auto-clean up tasks to delete your local snapshots and recover all of this storage.


You didn't specify what brand of "cloud" you are using. That's just a little bit important. If you are using only Apple iCloud, then you can enable "optimize" settings in iCloud Drive and Photos that will keep your storage under control.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 20, 2023 11:16 AM in response to appleisbananas

If you have recently turned of "cloud"?, then you will have to wait about 24 hours for the auto-clean up tasks to delete your local snapshots and recover all of this storage.


You didn't specify what brand of "cloud" you are using. That's just a little bit important. If you are using only Apple iCloud, then you can enable "optimize" settings in iCloud Drive and Photos that will keep your storage under control.

Apr 20, 2023 1:40 PM in response to appleisbananas

Have a slightly different take on System Data


It is generally a good computer practice to alway keep at least 15% to 20% of the Total Drive Capacity’s as Empty Space. Allowing the computer to drop below these guidelines may eventually, cause unintended consequences.


There is Purgeable Space and there is Empty Space.


Purgeable Space which is Controlled by the Operating System.


When the Operating Systems decides the computer needs additional Empty Space, it will move a portion of the Purgeable to Empty space


AFAIK - there is no User Actions to hasten this transition from Purgeable to Empty Space


It can day or longer before this will occur  


The links below will assist in identifying what is taking up space on the Internal Drive and provide possible ways to remove data that is under the direct control of the User ( Home Folder )


Rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac


What is “Other” storage on a Mac, and how can I clean it out?


Free up storage space on your Mac


OmniDiskSweeper Safe to use


GrandPerspective 


How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac.  


Often caused if the Time Machine Drive has not been attached  to the computer and TM Backup is set to run on a Schedule. 


TM Backup will make Snap Shots on the Internal Drive awaiting the TM Backup Drive to be attached. 


Only then will the Snaps Shots be transferred to the External Drive and delete the Internal Drive.


See used and available storage space on your Mac


Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch


Notation - If the user is using a cloning software like Carbon Copy Cloner - suggest tweaking the Safety Net Feature in this software. It may be making additional Snap Shots that are not being Cloned to the Eternal Drive. If this should be the case, these Snap Shot could be using additional space on the drive 


The final word from Apple on Managing the " Other/ System Data “ Category


Other / System Data: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins. You can't manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac.

macOS Monterey System Data is full, but nothing is there.

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