If you're using a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air and suddenly notice that your storage is running out, System Data is often the culprit. Many users are surprised to see System Data taking up tens or even hundreds of gigabytes with no clear explanation. The good news is that system data being too large on Mac is a common issue and, more importantly, fixable.
This guide explains what System Data is, why it grows so large, and how to safely reduce it without risking macOS stability.
Before cleaning anything, it’s essential to understand what macOS means by "System Data" and what is considered normal.
System Data (formerly called “Other Storage”) is a macOS storage category that includes files the system needs to operate but doesn’t classify under Apps, Documents, Photos, or Media.
In simple terms, what does system data mean on a Mac? It’s a collection of system-related files, caches, logs, backups, and temporary data that macOS and apps generate during everyday use.
System Data typically includes:
These files are why users often say system data on Mac is huge; many of them accumulate quietly in the background.
There’s no fixed size, but as a general guideline:
If your MacBook Pro or Air shows System Data exceeding 100 GB, cleanup is strongly recommended.
To view System Data:
Click “Apple menu" and go to "System Settings."
Go to “General" then "Storage."
Wait for macOS to calculate storage.
Click “System Data” to see its breakdown.
While macOS shows the size, it doesn’t provide an easy way to remove most of these files manually.
If you’re wondering why system data takes up so much storage, you’re not alone. Common reasons include:
Over time, these files stack up, especially on MacBook Pro and Air models with limited SSD space.
Manually hunting system files can be risky. That’s why the safest approach is using a dedicated Mac cleanup tool. Tenorshare Cleamio is designed specifically to clean system data on Mac safely, without deleting protected macOS files. It deep scans the system and app junk and clearly labels what can and cannot be deleted.
There is a Smart Cleanup experience for one-click optimization that also reduces the risk of accidental system damage. Cleamio doesn’t blindly delete files; it guides you through safe cleanup.
Download and install Cleamio on your Mac and open it. From the home interface, select the "Junk Files" and click "Scan."
Now, Cleamio will show all the junk files on your computer, including System Data. Choose the files you want to delete by clicking them and clicking the “Smart Cleanup” button at the bottom.
Cleamio will automatically clean your system, and you can finish the process by clicking “OK”.
This method is ideal if you want to remove system data on a Mac without technical complexity.
If you prefer manual cleanup or want to target specific areas, try the following safe methods for deleting system data on Mac.
macOS creates local snapshots when Time Machine is enabled, even without an external drive. Deleting the old, unusable local snapshots means getting your space.
Open Terminal on your Mac and run the following commands:
Restart Mac after successfully deleting
Old iPhone/iPad backups can silently consume system data and take up a lot of space on your Mac. Keeping them is useless for an average user, and deleting helps save space.
Open Finder and click "Go," then choose "Go to Folder” and enter “~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup."
Delete outdated backups.
Cache files grow continuously and aren’t always removed automatically. Manually clearing cache files is a great way to remove system data on a Mac.
Open Finder and press “Command + Shift + G” then enter “~/Library/Caches”
Delete folder contents (not the folder itself)
This is one of the most effective ways to free up system data on a Mac.
Mail attachments and logs can become massive over time. If system data is taking up space on your Mac, you can disable these Mail features.
Open Mail App and go to “Settings", then "Accounts" to disable unnecessary accounts.
Delete old attachments by going into Finder and pressing “CMD + Shift + G” and entering “~/Library/Mail”
Screen recordings and large deleted files still count toward system data until Trash is emptied. Deleting these useless files will get you a lot of free space, and you will no longer see the "macOS system data is huge" and related errors.
Once the macOS system data is cleaned, prevention matters to keep it from coming back. Here are some expert tips to keep macOS system data cleanup under control:
These habits help you get rid of system data on Mac in the long term.
This usually comes from accumulated Time Machine snapshots, iOS backups, cache files, and app leftovers over months or years of use.
macOS provides limited storage suggestions, but it doesn’t deeply clean system data. Dedicated tools like Tenorshare Cleamio are far more effective and safer.
If system data is too large on Mac and it is eating up your MacBook Pro or Air storage, you’re not dealing with a bug; you’re dealing with accumulated system files. Understanding what System Data includes makes cleanup much safer.
While manual methods work, the most reliable and beginner-friendly solution is Tenorshare Cleamio, which removes unnecessary system data without risking macOS stability. Regular cleanup keeps your Mac fast, organized, and storage-efficient.
then write your review
Leave a Comment
Create your review for Tenorshare articles
Cleamio
All-in-One Mac Cleaner & Optimizer
Cleamio: All-in-One Mac Cleaner & Optimizer
Clean junk files, free up space, and boost Mac performance
No.1 Mac Cleaner & Optimizer
Clean, speed up, and optimize your Mac
By Jenefey Aaron
2026-02-08 / Mac Cleanup