Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsSystem Data is a broad storage category, not a folder you can safely empty. To free space, start in macOS Storage settings, use Apple’s recommendations, and remove or move files you recognize and no longer need. macOS also clears certain safe-to-delete caches and logs when space is needed.
What System Data means on a Mac
Apple describes System Data (called Other in some macOS versions) as a general category for Apple and third-party files that do not fit a more specific storage category. It can include a range of system and app data, so the number is not a list of items you can delete as a group. The category’s size can also change as macOS updates its storage accounting.
There is no official target size for System Data, and the amount you can reclaim depends on the files and settings on your Mac. Avoid judging it against a fixed number of gigabytes or deleting unfamiliar system folders to make the bar smaller.
Check storage and available recommendations
- On macOS Ventura 13 or later: choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage.
- On earlier macOS versions: choose Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage.
- Review the categories and any recommendations macOS presents. The display may update as you make changes, and not every category offers the same management controls.
Apple’s guidance is available in Free up storage space on Mac and the Mac User Guide’s Change Storage settings on Mac.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- 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
Choose a cleanup method that fits what you want to keep
| Option | What it does | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Delete files you no longer need | Removes the selected files from the Mac; empty the Bin to reclaim space occupied by items in it. | Check that you do not need the files before deleting them. |
| Move files to external storage | Relocates files off the Mac while letting you keep them on a connected drive. | The files will not be available from the Mac when the drive is disconnected. A drive used only for file storage does not itself clean System Data. |
| Use iCloud and Optimize Storage | Can keep eligible content in iCloud and optimize local copies, making some items available on demand. | Availability offline can change, and the feature may use your iCloud storage plan and depend on your settings. |
| Start in Safe Mode | Can temporarily clear certain system caches. | Caches are recreated as needed, so this is not a permanent storage reduction. |
| Change Time Machine snapshot behavior | Can prompt local snapshots to be removed after you temporarily change automatic backup settings. | Snapshots support file recovery. Keep a normal backup schedule and do not treat snapshot space as guaranteed reclaimable capacity. |
Remove identifiable files first
Review large documents and your Downloads folder, then remove only items you recognize and no longer need. Apple also recommends checking unneeded media and apps, old iPhone or iPad backups, and Mail junk or deleted items. Empty the Bin after deleting files, since items left there continue to occupy storage.
If you want to keep large files or libraries but need more room on the Mac, move them to an external storage device. Apple’s storage guidance describes this option. Moving files frees internal space; it does not directly erase System Data.
Rank #2
- 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
Use iCloud and Optimize Storage only if the trade-off works for you
macOS may offer recommendations to store eligible Desktop and Documents files, photos, videos, messages, and attachments in iCloud and optimize local copies. Optimize Storage can also remove watched Apple TV content and keep only recent email attachments on the Mac when space is needed. These options can make eligible content available on demand rather than keeping every copy locally, and may require enough iCloud storage for your content.
Review the settings before enabling an option so you understand what stays on the Mac and what may need an internet connection to access. Apple explains the available features in Optimise storage space on your Mac.
Rank #3
- 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
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- 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
Let macOS manage safe caches; avoid manual system-folder cleanup
Apple says macOS clears caches and logs that are safe to delete when space is needed. Deleting arbitrary system files or third-party cache folders can cause problems and is not a reliable way to reduce the displayed System Data figure.
Safe Mode can temporarily clear certain caches, which macOS recreates when required. Consider it a short-term troubleshooting step, for example if you need to complete an update and are short on space, not a lasting cleanup method. Apple includes Safe Mode in its Mac storage guidance.
Rank #4
- Note: Magsafe is not available in this version
- High-speed Data Transfer: Lexar external SSD ES3 supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write to transfer files fast for more efficient work. (Performance may be lower if not supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2 on Mac and other systems)
- Wide Compatibility: Lexar Portable SSD ES3 compatibility with iPhone 17 series (Not supported on iPhone 14 and older models), Android mobile devices, laptops, cameras, Xbox X|S, PS4, PS5, gaming console, and more
- On The Go: Lexar external solid state drive ES3's thin, stylish, and durable design, weighs 42g and is only 10.5mm thick, making it smaller than a card and easily fits in your pocket. It comes with a Type-C cable for plug-and-play convenience
- Data Safety First: Lexar SSD ES3 includes Lexar DataShieldTM 256-bit AES encryption software to protect files
Understand Time Machine local snapshots before changing backups
When automatic Time Machine backups are enabled on an APFS disk, macOS can store local snapshots. They let you restore earlier file versions when your usual backup disk is unavailable. Apple says snapshots are deleted as they age or when space is needed, and their storage is counted as available. They are part of recovery, not automatically wasted space.
If you still want to prompt manual removal, Apple’s documented method is to temporarily set the backup frequency to Manually—or turn automatic backups off on older macOS—wait a few minutes, then restore your usual schedule. Keep a normal backup in place rather than leaving automatic backups disabled. See Apple’s instructions for About Time Machine local snapshots and the Mac User Guide’s local snapshots.
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When an external drive makes sense
An external drive is useful if you want to retain large files off the Mac or create a separate Time Machine backup. For a Time Machine backup disk, Apple says the external device should ideally have at least twice the capacity of the Mac. That recommendation is for backup media; it is not a minimum requirement for a drive used simply to store moved files. See Back up your Mac with Time Machine.
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