Removed 400GB of data from your MacBook without clearing any available space.

Somix_Fraya
Junior Member

02-18-2026, 12:17 AM

I'm working on a Macbook with limited free space—only about 40GB left on a 1TB drive. I haven't used the system much lately, but I've cleaned up files before. I did a backup using Time Machine, moved large folders like Downloads and Music to an external drive, and cleared everything from those folders. Despite that, Disk Utility still shows just 40GB free, even though Storage Management says they're empty. I've tried several online fixes, but nothing seems to help.

Somix_Fraya

02-18-2026, 12:17 AM #1

Cookie_love
Member

02-18-2026, 03:58 AM

Yes, there were snapshots.

Cookie_love

02-18-2026, 03:58 AM #2

Yes, there were snapshots.

5hadow05
Junior Member

02-18-2026, 05:47 AM

empty recycling bin, or clear out the iTrash or whatever it is—they shouldn’t name it iTrash since that’s the standard term for every Apple device.

5hadow05

02-18-2026, 05:47 AM #3

empty recycling bin, or clear out the iTrash or whatever it is—they shouldn’t name it iTrash since that’s the standard term for every Apple device.

_Wild_Dog_
Member

170

02-18-2026, 07:36 AM

I've already cleared out the trash, mentioned that in OP.

_Wild_Dog_

02-18-2026, 07:36 AM #4

I've already cleared out the trash, mentioned that in OP.

NicolleSpacki
Member

173

02-18-2026, 03:19 PM

You might look in the right place or ask for more details.

NicolleSpacki

02-18-2026, 03:19 PM #5

You might look in the right place or ask for more details.

D34D_
Member

162

02-22-2026, 07:18 PM

Certainly! Here’s a clearer version:

Display an image of the Disk Utility interface.
The command `du -h` on the boot drive indicates the disk usage in a human-readable format, showing how much space each directory or file occupies.

D34D_

02-22-2026, 07:18 PM #6

Hitscher
Member

203

02-23-2026, 03:24 AM

They skipped checking the cache directory in the library. Maybe they’ll reinstall the backup and remove it using the terminal.

Hitscher

02-23-2026, 03:24 AM #7

They skipped checking the cache directory in the library. Maybe they’ll reinstall the backup and remove it using the terminal.

Daddydame
Junior Member

02-24-2026, 08:58 AM

I haven’t worked with the cache. My friend’s computer is still down, so I can’t do a restore from the time machine and start fresh.

Daddydame

02-24-2026, 08:58 AM #8

I haven’t worked with the cache. My friend’s computer is still down, so I can’t do a restore from the time machine and start fresh.

eastland97
Senior Member

644

02-25-2026, 02:26 PM

Seeing the image shows Disk Utility with 648.5GB available (about 602.21GB can be removed). @Electronics Wizardy @Slottr

eastland97

02-25-2026, 02:26 PM #9

Seeing the image shows Disk Utility with 648.5GB available (about 602.21GB can be removed). @Electronics Wizardy @Slottr

Skybertronic
Member

02-26-2026, 07:57 PM

#10

Purgeable space refers to areas actively used while the operating system retains them until necessary. A common illustration is cloud storage. When using iCloud, Mac OS automatically transfers files to the hard drive when available. However, if additional data fills the drive, it may remove locally stored cloud files to make room.

Skybertronic

02-26-2026, 07:57 PM #10