Mac disk cleanup issue. Storage almost full but I can’t find what to delete

Effective Strategies for Resolving Mac Disk Storage Management Issues

If you’re a Mac user noticing persistent “Storage Almost Full” alerts despite removing large files and clearing unnecessary data, you’re not alone. Many users encounter situations where, even after diligent cleanup efforts, the storage bar remains misleadingly high, often under categories like “System Data” or “Other.” This can lead to confusion and concern about how to free up space without resorting to complete system wipes.

Understanding Mac Storage Categories

macOS partitions storage into various categories, including Applications, Documents, Photos, Movies, Mail, System Data, and Others. The “System Data” and “Other” sections can sometimes accumulate significant storage due to logs, cache files, backups, and system snapshots. These files are essential but can grow over time, taking up valuable space.

Steps to Safely Analyze and Free Up Disk Space

1. Use Built-In Storage Management Tools:
2. Click on the Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage > Manage.
3. Review recommendations such as storing in iCloud, optimizing storage, and emptying trash automatically.

4. Examine the various categories to identify large files or data you can delete.

5. Investigate “System Data” or “Other” Files:

6. Third-party tools like DaisyDisk, CleanMyMac, or GrandPerspective can provide detailed visualizations of disk usage.

7. These tools scan your drive and display large files and hidden directories, aiding in identifying space hogs.

8. Clear Cache and Log Files:

9. Manually delete cache files by opening Finder > Go > Go to Folder > /Library/Caches and ~/Library/Caches.
10. Remove unnecessary logs stored in ~/Library/Logs.

11. Be cautious to avoid deleting critical system files.

12. Manage Local Snapshots and Backup Files:

13. Time Machine local snapshots can consume space; connect your backup drive or disable snapshots with Terminal commands.

14. Use tmutil listlocalsnapshots / to list snapshots, and tmutil deletelocalsnapshots <snapshot name> to remove them.

15. Perform a Safe System Cleanup:

16. Consider using trusted system cleanup utilities designed for Mac.

17. Always backup your data before significant cleaning.

18. Check for Hidden or Large Files:

19. Use Finder’s search with size filters (e.g., “File Size” > 100 MB).
20. Remove or relocate unnecessary large files.

Precautions Before Wiping Your System

If these strategies