![Cleaner Cleaner](/uploads/1/2/5/7/125760510/706457650.png)
So, your Mac is running out of storage. You try to figure out what’s taking up your disk space by clicking the Apple logo on the top-left of the screen, selecting About This Mac, and hitting the Storage tab.
Using Mac maintenance software can sort things for you in a bit. You don’t have to hop between different paths and get unwanted things deleted. Which Mac Maintenance Tool To Choose? Now that you know how useful Mac maintenance software can be. Let’s move on to know one of the best Mac cleaner tools, Smart Mac Care. Smart Mac Care is a one.
To your surprise, you see a yellow bar representing “System” that seems to occupy way more space than you think it should. In the example above, it only shows 33.87 GB, but take a look at this Apple discussion — some Mac users report that System Storage takes an astonishing 250 GB.
Worse yet, you have no idea what’s included in “System” storage, because clicking the “Manage” button brings you to this System Information window… and the “System” row is greyed out.
Why does my Mac system require so much space?
What does it contain?
Is it safe to remove some of those system files?
How do I regain more storage space?
Questions like these may easily get to your head. Although my Mac now has a good amount of disk space available, I’m always wary of files that are taking up more space than they should.
I have no idea why “System” is greyed out while “Documents,” “System Junk,” “Trash,” etc. allow you to review the files based on size and type. My hunch is that Apple does this on purpose to prevent users from deleting system files that could lead to serious issues.
What Files Are Included in System Storage on Mac?
During my research, I found many people report that Apple counts iTunes backup files and app caches (e.g. Adobe video cache files) in the System category.
Since it’s greyed out and we are unable to click on that category for deeper analysis, we’ll have to use a third-party app to assist.
CleanMyMac X is perfect for this kind of analysis. Since I tested the app in our Mac cleaner review, it immediately came to my head when I saw “System” was greyed out in Storage. Note that CleanMyMac isn’t freeware, but the new “Space Lens” feature is free to use and it allows you to scan your Macintosh HD, and then show you an in-depth overview of what’s taking up disk space on your Mac.
Step 1:Download CleanMyMac and install the app on your Mac. Open it, under “Space Lens” module, first click the yellow “Grant Access” button to allow the app to access your Mac files and then select “Scan” to get started.
Step 2: Soon it’ll show you a folder/file tree and you can hover your cursor over each block (i.e. a folder). There you can find more details. In this case, I clicked “System” folder to continue.
Step 3: The file breakdown below indicates that some Library and iOS Support files are the culprits.
The interesting part is that the System file size shown in CleanMyMac is much smaller than the size shown in System Information. This puzzles me and makes me believe that Apple definitely has counted some other files (not real system files) in the System category.
What are they? I have no clue, honestly. But as reported by other Mac users who experienced the same issue, they said Apple also considers app caches and iTunes backup files as System files.
Out of curiosity, I ran CleanMyMac again for a quick scan. That app found 13.92 GB in iTunes Junk. Further review revealed that the junk files are old iOS device backups, software updates, broken downloads, etc.
But even after adding this amount to the original system files returned by DaisyDisk, the total size is still a bit less than what’s returned in System Information.
If cleaning the System Storage is still not enough to bring your Mac available disk space to a normal level (i.e. 20% or more), see below.
What Else Can I Do to Reclaim More Disk Space?
There are tons of ways out there. Here are a few of my favorites that should help you get back a decent amount of space quickly.
1. Sort all files by size and delete old large files.
Open Finder, go to Recents, and look at the Size column. Click on it to sort all recent files by file size (from large to small). You’ll have a clear overview of what items are eating up a large amount of space, e.g. From 1 GB to 10 GB, and from 100 MB to 1 GB.
In my MacBook Pro, I found a few large videos that could be transferred to an external drive.
Note: If the Size column doesn’t show up, click on the Settings icon and select Arrange By > Size.
2. Run CleanMyMac.
If you are not a power Mac user, another way to help you quickly locate unnecessary files is using CleanMyMac, an app that won our award for the best Mac cleaner software. As you can also see in my detailed review here, I believe CleanMyMac is a must-have app for all basic users.
3. Remove duplicate files with Gemini 2.
Don’t forget those duplicates and similar files! They can stack up without you being aware of it. Finding them is sometimes time-consuming. That’s what Gemini 2 is designed for. Simply select a few frequently used folders (e.g. Documents, Downloads, etc.) in the main zone of Gemini.
It then scans them and returns all the duplicate files that might be worth removing. Of course, it’s always a good practice to review them before doing so. You can also read our Gemini review here.
Wrapping It Up
Ever since Apple introduced the Optimized Storage feature on macOS Sierra and High Sierra, users got the option of saving space by storing content in the cloud. Apple also has several new tools that make it easy to find and remove unneeded files.
![With With](https://static.filehorse.com/screenshots-mac/cleaning-and-tweaking/memory-clean-mac-screenshot-01.png)
That bar under the Storage tab is beautiful. It does allow you to get a quick overview of what’s taking up the most space on our hard drive. However, it still lacks insights on the “System” category as it’s greyed out.
Hopefully, the guides above have helped you figure out the reasons you’ve got so much “System” data, and most importantly you’ve reclaimed some disk space — especially for new MacBooks pre-installed with flash storage (usually 128 GB or 256 GB) — the storage is so precious!
The performance any device depends on the hardware you used in building the rig and the software installed. Sometimes, having too many contents in your MacBook can also slow down its processing speed. That is why you need a Memory Cleaner to wipe out any residue files on your RAM.
Related:
Some residual files are not accessible since they are in your system folders. But, with a decent cleaner, you can delete all these unnecessary files. Also, you can keep your device safe since it also scans and cleans any potential threat that resides in any of your drives. No doubt, having this software is important.
Memory Clean
Memory Clean 2
CleanMyMac 3
MacClean 3
Recommended Points
There are helpful features found on every cleaning software. These features will help you boost your device’s capacity as well as its performance. Here are some of the major features you will enjoy when using the program.
Smart Cleanup
There are different files inside your device and sometimes you don’t even realize that there are duplicates in there already. Thankfully, the smart cleanup feature can detect all these. You can choose to delete these files in one batch or keep them for whatever reason you have. No need for you to check your folders one by one.
There are different files inside your device and sometimes you don’t even realize that there are duplicates in there already. Thankfully, the smart cleanup feature can detect all these. You can choose to delete these files in one batch or keep them for whatever reason you have. No need for you to check your folders one by one.
In-Depth Scanning
Aside from duplicates, there are also junk files on your system. But, when you use a Junk Cleaner, the program itself will locate all these files and clean them up. They can be from your cache or perhaps a report log of an error. Remove this with the in-depth scanning feature to use.
Aside from duplicates, there are also junk files on your system. But, when you use a Junk Cleaner, the program itself will locate all these files and clean them up. They can be from your cache or perhaps a report log of an error. Remove this with the in-depth scanning feature to use.
Memory Monitoring
On top of all features, the memory monitor will come most helpful to you. You can check on this to see how much space the memory still has. Also, you can check this out to see your app’s current usage of your memory.
On top of all features, the memory monitor will come most helpful to you. You can check on this to see how much space the memory still has. Also, you can check this out to see your app’s current usage of your memory.
Detox My Mac
AppZapper
Memory Cleaner X
Memory Cleaner
EaseUS CleanGenius – Most Popular Software
Some Important Answers to Remember
There are frequently asked questions when it comes to memory management in Mac and we have rounded them up for your convenience.
Why Should You Cleanup?
While you can find ways to utilize every space on your memory, keeping it too full will only make your device hot and laggy. You would have less space for storage of new files. Also, you will also have a low performing device as a result of a full memory.
While you can find ways to utilize every space on your memory, keeping it too full will only make your device hot and laggy. You would have less space for storage of new files. Also, you will also have a low performing device as a result of a full memory.
What Should You Remove?
Aside from the junk files, you also need to clear your cache once in a while. A full one will hinder from opening new pages or delay your access when surfing a page. Also, you need to clear out registry files that are usually hidden in your system files.
Aside from the junk files, you also need to clear your cache once in a while. A full one will hinder from opening new pages or delay your access when surfing a page. Also, you need to clear out registry files that are usually hidden in your system files.
How Do You Delete Them?
You can use your system tools to take away unneeded files. Although, this is not advisable for people who don’t have a thorough knowledge of how to do it, there are tools that are downloadable and hassle-free to use. Aside from that, disabling and uninstalling unused software will lighten up your memory too.
You can use your system tools to take away unneeded files. Although, this is not advisable for people who don’t have a thorough knowledge of how to do it, there are tools that are downloadable and hassle-free to use. Aside from that, disabling and uninstalling unused software will lighten up your memory too.