What Mac storage other means and how to reduce it
If you searched for mac storage other, you are likely staring at a Storage screen where a vague category is using far more space than expected. On older macOS versions, Apple showed an Other category for files that did not fit neatly into Apps, Photos, Documents or other named groups. On newer versions, much of that space appears as System Data instead. Either way, it is not a single folder you can open and delete. It is a mix of caches, logs, app support files, backups, installers, archives and other items macOS groups together for reporting.
The right fix is not to delete random system files. The right fix is to identify what is actually taking space, remove the safe items first and let macOS rebuild anything it needs.
What Mac storage other means in newer macOS
The old Other label was Apple’s catch-all storage category. It often included file types macOS could not classify under user-friendly labels, plus support files used by the system and installed apps. If your Mac now shows System Data instead, you are seeing the modern version of a similar idea.
This is why two Macs with the same visible files can show very different storage breakdowns. A designer may have large font libraries, Adobe caches and old installers. A developer may have simulators, Docker images, build artifacts and package caches. A regular home Mac may have old iPhone backups, browser caches, mail attachments and app leftovers.
If you want the newer label explained in more detail, Broomkit’s guide to what System Data is on a Mac breaks down that category separately. In plain English, mac storage other usually means files that are real and often removable, but not always obvious from Apple’s Storage settings.
| What may be inside the category | Common examples | Usually safe to reduce? |
|---|---|---|
| App caches and logs | Browser cache, media previews, app logs | Yes, when removed from user cache locations |
| App support files | Databases, plug-ins, saved states, preferences | Sometimes, review before deleting |
| Leftovers from removed apps | Old folders in Application Support, LaunchAgents, preferences | Yes, if you are sure the app is gone |
| Backups and snapshots | iPhone backups, Time Machine local snapshots | Sometimes, use built-in tools when possible |
| Archives and disk images | ZIP files, DMG installers, old downloads | Yes, if no longer needed |
| Developer files | Xcode DerivedData, simulators, package caches, Docker data | Yes, with workflow awareness |
Why the Other category gets so large
The category grows because macOS and apps constantly create supporting files. Caches speed things up, logs help diagnose problems, browser profiles store website data and apps keep databases in your Library folder. None of that is suspicious by itself.
The problem starts when temporary files stop feeling temporary. A video editor can leave render files behind after a project is done. A messaging app can store years of attachments. A browser can keep multiple profiles. An app you dragged to the Trash can leave gigabytes of support files in your user Library.
When mac storage other grows quickly, the cause is usually one of four things: large cached files, old backups, app leftovers or a few oversized files hiding outside Documents and Downloads. The Storage screen gives you a clue, but it does not always show the exact file path. That is why a folder-level review is safer than deleting folders based on category names alone.
Check what is taking space before deleting anything
Start with macOS built-in storage tools. In System Settings, go to General, then Storage. On older macOS versions, use About This Mac, then Storage, then Manage. Apple’s Mac User Guide also explains its built-in storage optimization recommendations, including ways to review large files and reduce clutter.
The Storage screen is useful, but it is not a forensic report. It may show that System Data is large without listing every folder that contributes to it. Finder can help you narrow things down by searching for large files, sorting Downloads by size and checking old disk images or archives.
The safest response to mac storage other is to move from obvious to hidden. Delete files you recognize first, then review app caches and leftovers only after you have a backup or a clear way to undo the change.
| Where to look | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Downloads | DMG, ZIP, PKG and video files | Old installers and archives often sit here for months |
| Applications | Apps you no longer use | The app bundle is visible, but leftovers may remain elsewhere |
| User Library | Caches, Application Support and logs | This is where many support files live |
| Finder large file search | Files over 1 GB or 5 GB | A few forgotten files can explain most of the space |
| Device backups | Old iPhone or iPad backups | These can become very large over time |
Safe ways to reduce Other storage on a Mac
A good mac storage other cleanup plan starts with files that are clearly yours, then moves into app-created files that can be rebuilt. Do not start in system folders. You can often reclaim significant space without touching anything risky.
Empty Trash after reviewing what is inside
Files in the Trash still take up disk space. Open the Trash, sort by size if needed and restore anything you might still need. Once you are confident, empty it. This is basic, but it matters because many cleanup attempts only move files to Trash and never finish the job.
A Trash-first workflow is still useful before the final emptying step. Moving files to Trash gives you a recovery window if you realize an app or project still needs something.
Remove large installers, archives and media files
Open Downloads and sort by size. DMG installers, ZIP archives, screen recordings, exported videos and duplicate media files are common space hogs. If you installed an app months ago, the installer is usually no longer needed. If you keep archives for records, move them to external storage rather than leaving them on your startup disk.
Large file cleanup is often faster and safer than deep system cleanup. Removing one forgotten 12 GB video export is better than deleting hundreds of small files you do not understand.
Clear user caches carefully
Caches can be removed when they are in user-level cache folders and the related apps are closed. The common user cache location is ~/Library/Caches. You can open your user Library from Finder by holding the Option key, opening the Go menu and choosing Library.
Do not delete the Caches folder itself. Review contents, remove cache folders for apps you recognize and expect those apps to rebuild caches later. For browser-specific steps and safer folder guidance, use Broomkit’s complete guide to clearing cache on a Mac.
Uninstall unused apps and their leftovers
Dragging an app to the Trash removes the app bundle, but it may leave support files in Library folders. These leftovers can include preferences, saved state, plug-ins, helper tools, caches and application support data.
For apps you no longer use, remove the app first, then review leftovers connected to that app’s name or developer name. If you want a step-by-step process, Broomkit’s guide to uninstalling apps on a Mac completely explains where leftovers usually hide and how to avoid deleting unrelated files.
Review old device backups and local snapshots
Old iPhone and iPad backups can consume a surprising amount of space. You can review device backups through Finder when your device is connected, or through the relevant backup management screens in macOS. Delete only backups you no longer need.
Time Machine local snapshots can also appear as system-managed storage. macOS normally manages them automatically and frees space when needed. If you use Time Machine, connect your backup drive and let a backup complete before taking more aggressive steps. Avoid Terminal snapshot deletion unless you understand the command and have a current backup.
What not to delete when reducing Other storage
After reducing mac storage other, your goal is a Mac that still boots, updates and runs normally. That means some folders are off limits unless you have a specific reason and a backup. The fact that a folder is large does not make it junk.
Avoid deleting items from /System, /Library, /private, /usr or /bin because they may be required by macOS or shared services. Also be careful with virtual machine disk files, music libraries, Photos libraries and app databases. They can look like giant single files, but deleting them can remove entire environments or personal libraries.
| Item or location | Safer approach |
|---|---|
/System and core macOS folders |
Leave them alone |
Unknown files in /Library |
Research the app or vendor before deleting |
| Photos Library or Music Library packages | Open the app and manage content from inside it |
| Virtual machine disk images | Delete only if you no longer need the VM |
| App databases in Application Support | Remove only when uninstalling that app or after backup |
A useful rule is simple: if you cannot explain what the file belongs to, do not permanently delete it yet. Move known removable files to Trash first, restart, test your Mac and empty the Trash only when everything still works.
How a cleaner app can help without making things worse
For mac storage other cleanup, a cleaner app is helpful when it shows paths, explains categories and lets you review before removal. It should not hide what it is deleting or push one-click removal of system folders you cannot inspect.
Broomkit is built around that safer model. It can help you find reclaimable files, large files, caches and app leftovers, then use Trash-first cleanup so removals are reversible before you empty the Trash. Its Disk Map visualization is useful when Apple’s Storage screen tells you space is missing but does not show where it went. It also includes performance monitoring, health alerts, path browsing, app uninstall tools and app data reset options.
You can try Broomkit for macOS for 3 days with no account or card, and the app uses a one-time licence after that instead of subscription billing. That makes it a practical option when you want cleanup help without giving up control over what gets removed.
Why Other may not shrink immediately
If mac storage other seems unchanged after cleanup, do not assume the cleanup failed. macOS storage categories can take time to recalculate. Restarting your Mac, emptying the Trash and waiting for Spotlight indexing can all affect what the Storage screen reports.
Some files also move between categories. For example, deleting app leftovers might reduce System Data, but moving a large archive to another folder could make Documents grow instead. The total free space at the bottom of the Storage screen is usually more important than whether Apple’s category label updates instantly.
If the number stays high after a restart, return to the basics: review large files, check backups, inspect user caches, remove app leftovers and look for developer or virtual machine data if those apply to your workflow.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mac storage other the same as System Data?
On newer macOS versions, much of what used to appear as Other is now shown as System Data. The labels are not identical in every version, but they both describe a broad group of support files, caches, logs, backups and uncategorized items.
Can I delete the Other folder on my Mac?
No. Other is not a normal folder. It is a storage category made from many files in different locations. You reduce it by deleting specific safe files, not by deleting a single Other location.
Why does Other come back after I clean it?
Some of it should come back because apps and macOS rebuild caches, logs and support files during normal use. The goal is not zero Other storage. The goal is to remove stale, oversized or unnecessary files.
How much Other storage is normal?
There is no universal number. A Mac used for browsing and office work may have a smaller amount, while a Mac used for video editing, development or virtual machines may have much more. The concern is sudden growth or low free space.
Should I use Terminal to delete Other storage?
Only use Terminal if you know exactly what the command does and have a current backup. Most users can reclaim space more safely through Finder, macOS Storage settings and a review-based cleaner.
Free up space without guessing
Other storage is frustrating because the label hides the real files behind it. Once you treat it as a category instead of a folder, cleanup becomes much safer: find the largest contributors, remove what you recognize, clear rebuildable caches and uninstall apps with their leftovers.
If you want help seeing where the space is going, Broomkit can scan for large files, caches, app leftovers and reclaimable storage while keeping cleanup reviewable and Trash-first. Start with the free 3-day trial, confirm what is safe to remove and keep your Mac’s storage under control without a subscription.
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Sources: storage optimization recommendations. Published 27 September 2026.