This doesn’t always work, but if that purgeable storage space includes Time Machine snapshot data, then letting a backup complete will often clear that space. If you use Time Machine but haven’t backed up recently, say because the backup disk is disconnected from the Mac, then backing up the Mac with Time Machine may clear out a significant amount of “Purgeable” space.

Other than letting macOS manage the purgeable disk storage on it’s own, if you want to clear it on your own you can do so by disabling the Optimize Mac Storage setting, and also rebooting the Mac.īefore using any of the tips below, you should backup your Mac with Time Machine just in case. Remember, Mac OS will clear the purgeable space on its own if the storage capacity is needed. Purgeable space will be cleared out automatically by macOS when the system needs the storage capacity, but it can also be cleared out manually somewhat indirectly by addressing the features that are causing files to be labeled as purgeable.

Purgeable space on the Mac includes a variety of things, ranging from caches, temporary files, backup files, and if you use Optimize Mac Storage, some files and data from iCloud too. This curiously labeled disk storage item is similar to the “Other” storage space on the Mac that many users wonder about, so if you’re curious what purgeable storage space is, and how to free it up to clear it out, then read on.

How to clear up space on macbook