You may be able to free substantial space on a Mac without buying a cleanup subscription, but no fixed recovery—60GB or otherwise—is guaranteed. Start at Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage in macOS Ventura 13 or later. Use the category details to find files you recognize, then remove or move only what you no longer need. “System Data” is a broad category, not one junk folder to delete.
What “System Data” means—and why its size is not a cleanup target
Apple describes System Data (called Other in some versions) as a general category for files that do not fit another storage category. It can include logs, caches, virtual-memory files, temporary files, fonts, app support files, runtime resources and plug-ins. Its contents change with the Mac’s current state, and macOS manages many of those files. Apple’s storage guidance explains that category details and available management options vary.
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That makes the Storage chart useful for identifying where to look, but it is not a precise folder map or a diagnosis. For user-created or app-specific files that do not appear under a clearer category, use Finder or the app that created them rather than deleting unfamiliar system files.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Check storage and choose a specific target
- Open the Storage view. On macOS Ventura 13 or later, choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage. Review the category list and open details or Info buttons where available.
- Pick something identifiable. Look for large downloads, videos, audio, unused apps, old device backups or mail items you know you do not need. Prioritize replaceable files and personal data you can safely move.
- Recheck the view after changes. Apple says the Storage view updates as cleanup steps are taken; category figures can shift as macOS recalculates them.
Older macOS versions use different settings layouts, so these Ventura-and-later menu labels do not apply to every Mac. If your system does not show this path, use the storage management controls available in your version of macOS rather than following a path that is not present.
#1 Best Overall
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
Remove or move files you control
Review large personal files
Sort Downloads and other folders by size, then delete files you no longer need. Review local video and audio, installers, duplicate exports and old project files. If a large library is worth keeping but does not need to stay on the Mac, Apple recommends moving items such as Photos or iMovie libraries to external storage. An external SSD for Mac is one option for retaining a library outside the internal drive; choose a drive that works with your Mac and your capacity needs.
Uninstall apps and remove old device backups
Delete apps you no longer use through the available macOS app-management controls, and review old iPhone or iPad backups before removing them. Make sure a backup is truly obsolete before deleting it; it may be the only local copy available for restoring a device.
Rank #2
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
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- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
Clean up Mail and empty the Bin
Apple recommends removing junk and deleted Mail items when they are no longer needed. Also inspect the Bin before emptying it: moving files there does not release their storage until the Bin is emptied. Apple’s optional automatic Bin-emptying setting removes items that have been there for more than 30 days when enabled.
Check shared or former user data
Old files in shared locations or former user accounts may be easy to overlook. Review their contents and confirm you have permission and no ongoing need for the files before removing them.
Rank #3
- Capacity Display Variance: 500GB external ssd often appears as around 465GB on Windows. MacOS can show full 500 GB capacity. This is binary calculation difference and doesn’t affect SSD hard drive actual physical storage
- 1050 MB/s Speed: Instantly access to your files with blazing-fast 10Gbps external SSD read up to 1050MB/s and write up to 1000MB/s. LED Light indicates USB SSD instant activity
- Data Security: Solid state drives S.M.A.R.T. health diagnostics and adaptive TRIM optimizing data block management ensures consistent write speeds and extends the longevity of the portable SSD
- USB-C & USB-A Cable: Both cables featuring rapid USB 3.2 Gen2, this USB SSD effortlessly bridges devices, enabling seamless cross-platform file transfers and backup between computers, smartphones, tablets and iPhone
- Always Fast: No slowdowns for large file transfers. With SLC caching (25% of current available capacity allocated as high-speed cache), this external SSD delivers steady 10Gbps for transfers within the cache capacity
Let macOS manage caches and cloud optimization
macOS can automatically clear caches and logs that are safe to remove when storage is needed. Apple also documents optimization options for iCloud files, watched Apple TV content and Mail attachments. These features can reduce local storage use, but iCloud options depend on your iCloud storage and make some files available on demand rather than guaranteeing that every original remains stored locally.
Choose these settings only if their trade-offs fit your workflow. Apple’s built-in storage recommendations may include automatic Bin emptying and cloud-based optimization; they are options, not a promise of a particular amount recovered. Apple also says starting in Safe Mode may clear certain caches temporarily, which macOS can recreate as needed. Avoid blanket deletion of everything in Library/Caches or unfamiliar system folders.
Rank #4
- NEARLY 2X FASTER THAN OUR PREVIOUS GENERATION(8) – move 1,000 high-res photos in under 60 seconds(6) with up to 2000MB/s transfer speeds(2).
- IP65 RATING AND UP TO 3M DROP PROTECTION(3) – protects against spills and drops.
- POCKET-SIZED – fits easily in pockets and small bags.
- SPACE TO OWN YOUR AI CONTENT – speed and capacity to download your high-res clips and photo edits.
- 256-BIT AES ENCRYPTION(4) – helps keep private files secure with password protection.
Understand purgeable space and Time Machine snapshots
“Available” storage is not always the same as physically empty storage. Apple says available space includes free space and purgeable caches; Disk Utility describes purgeable space as storage macOS can free when needed. Apple says users cannot manually remove files marked purgeable, so a large purgeable figure is not a reason to hunt for hidden files to delete.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Local Time Machine snapshots are stored on the Mac when the backup disk is unavailable. Apple says, “Your Mac counts the space used by snapshots as available storage.” Snapshots are automatically removed as they age or when space is needed, so they are not guaranteed recoverable storage. Apple documents a manual approach that temporarily sets Time Machine backups to manual; because this changes automatic backup behavior, it is not a routine cleanup step. If you choose that process, restore your usual backup schedule afterward. See Apple’s Time Machine snapshot guidance.
Best Value
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Use a visual disk analyzer only if Storage is not enough
If Apple’s Storage view does not make a large folder obvious, a disk-usage visualizer can help you locate files to inspect. It does not make deletion automatically safe: verify what a file belongs to before removing it, and understand that permission restrictions can limit what a scan displays.
| Option | What its developer describes | Price model stated by developer | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Storage | Built-in category view and management options | Included with macOS | Category detail and available options vary; System Data is not a folder map. See Apple Support. |
| DaisyDisk | Circular disk visualization and hidden-space inspection | $9.99 one-time lifetime license; no recurring payments, as listed by its developer and accessed October 7, 2026 | Developer lists version 4.34.2, dated July 10, 2026, and macOS 10.13 or newer compatibility on Apple silicon and Intel. Denying access to protected areas can leave more space classified as hidden. See DaisyDisk’s feature information and pricing. |
| GrandPerspective | Graphical disk-usage view; project is open source | Free SourceForge download; $2.99 App Store edition, as listed by its developer in 2026 | Developer lists version 3.7.2, released May 31, 2026. See GrandPerspective’s project site. |
These are optional ways to inspect usage, not prerequisites for freeing space. The listed prices and versions are developer-published details accessed or listed in 2026 and may change. No typical or guaranteed cleanup amount is established for any of them.
Why 60GB is not a reliable promise
Apple’s storage guidance explains where to manage files but does not publish a typical or guaranteed amount a person can reclaim. The result depends on the particular Mac: one may have large, removable downloads or media, while another may mostly show managed data that macOS already treats as available or clears when necessary. Likewise, there is no basis here for treating $40 per year as a representative price for cleanup apps; the cited DaisyDisk listing is a one-time purchase, not evidence about every utility.
Quick Recap
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