The ghost category: where "Other" storage went and why it still haunts your Mac
If you've ever checked your Mac's storage bar and spotted a massive grey chunk labeled "Other," you're not imagining things — it was real, it was confusing, and it could quietly occupy 30–80 GB. Then one day it disappeared from the chart. So what happened to it, and more importantly, where did all those gigabytes go?
"Other" was Apple's junk drawer
In older versions of macOS, the storage breakdown used categories like Apps, Photos, Music, Movies, and Documents. Everything that didn't fit neatly into those buckets got tossed into "Other." That included:
- App caches — temporary files from browsers, Spotify, Slack, and dozens of other apps
- Browser data — local storage, offline pages, service workers
- Plugins and extensions — browser extensions, app plugins, screen savers
- System and user fonts — especially third-party font libraries
- Archives and disk images — .zip, .dmg, .iso, .tar files sitting in random folders
- App support data — databases, configuration, saved states
- Documents in non-standard formats — .json, .xml, .csv, and anything macOS didn't recognize as a "document"
In short: if macOS couldn't categorize it, it was "Other." Which is why the category could be enormous and completely opaque at the same time.
Why Apple renamed it
In recent macOS versions, Apple reworked the storage breakdown. "Other" was split and mostly absorbed into a new category called "System Data." The logic didn't change much — System Data still contains caches, app leftovers, and miscellaneous files — but the name is slightly more honest: it tells you the system is aware of these files even if it can't categorize them for you.
If you're running a recent macOS version, you won't see "Other" anymore. You'll see System Data instead. For a deep dive into what lives there and how to clean it safely, see our guide to System Data on Mac.
How to find the biggest "Other" offenders
Whether your Mac calls it "Other" or "System Data," the cleanup is the same. Here's where the largest chunks usually hide:
1. Caches — the biggest one
App caches live in ~/Library/Caches. Open Finder, press Shift + Cmd + G, paste that path, and sort by size. You'll likely find browser caches, messaging apps, and media players hoarding gigabytes. It's safe to delete individual app cache folders — the app will rebuild them on next launch (expect a slightly slower first open).
2. Archives and disk images you forgot about
Downloads folder is the usual suspect, but .dmg and .zip files also end up in Desktop, Documents, or project folders. A quick Finder search for .dmg or .zip across your home folder often turns up installers you mounted once and never deleted.
3. App support data from deleted apps
When you drag an app to Trash, its support files stay behind in ~/Library/Application Support and ~/Library/Preferences. If you've been using your Mac for years, there could be dozens of orphaned folders from apps you no longer have. Look for folder names that match apps you've deleted, and remove them.
4. Old iOS and device backups
iPhone and iPad backups stored locally on your Mac were counted as "Other." They live in ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup and can be 5–30 GB each. Open Finder and check — if you've switched to iCloud backups, the local copies are just wasting space.
5. Fonts, plugins, and screen savers
These are usually small individually, but designers and creatives who've installed hundreds of fonts or plugins may find a few gigabytes here. Check ~/Library/Fonts and ~/Library/Screen Savers.
/System, /usr, or /private/var. These are actual operating system files. Removing them won't free meaningful space and can make your Mac unbootable. If you're not sure what a file is — leave it alone.The storage bar still doesn't add up
Even after cleaning, many people notice the storage bar doesn't match what Finder shows. That's because macOS counts things like purgeable space, Time Machine local snapshots, and VM swap files differently depending on where you look. It's a real problem, not user error. For more on why the numbers disagree, check our complete guide to freeing up space on Mac.
When to just leave "Other" alone
Not all of "Other" is waste. App support data for apps you actively use (like your email client's local database or a music app's offline library) belongs there. If your disk isn't running low and performance is fine, there's no reason to chase every last megabyte. Cleaning caches too aggressively just means apps will spend bandwidth and time rebuilding them.
Let Gigatidy sort through the clutter
Gigatidy scans your Mac locally, tells you exactly what's hiding in System Data (the old "Other"), and clears only what's safe — with your approval before anything is deleted.
Meet Gigatidy →FAQ
Is "Other" storage the same as System Data on Mac?
Essentially, yes. In recent macOS versions, Apple renamed the "Other" category to "System Data." It still contains the same types of files — caches, app leftovers, plugins, archives, and miscellaneous data that doesn't fit other categories.
Can I delete everything in "Other" storage?
No. Some of it is used by apps you rely on and by macOS itself. You can safely clear caches, old archives, and leftover files from deleted apps. But system-level files in /System or /private should never be removed manually.
Why does "Other" storage keep growing back?
Because caches are constantly rebuilt as you use your Mac. Browsers, messaging apps, and media players generate new cache files every session. This is normal — caches make apps faster. The goal isn't to keep "Other" at zero, but to clear the stale and orphaned parts periodically.