Why is so much storage taken up in the 'other' category on my mac?

I have been going through a lot of things on my macbook air and I don't understand how I less available storage now then I did before I began cleaning things up. I have emptied my trash deleted old apps etc. I have not deleted things that I have no idea what they may be. I only have 3 episodes bought via iTunes, so how is there 8.89gb used?? For my photos is that the photos in finder>pictures or does that include my pictures saved to iPhoto? Should I move my pictures from iPhoto to  pictures? Does other include the photos in iPhoto?

This question is not really relevant to your topic. It's a completely different topic. It would be better to post it by itself so as not to end up with two separate topics being posted in only one listed topic. That would be confusing for others.
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Similar Messages

  • My week old MacBook w/ retina has half of its storage taken up by the "other" category. I don't have any downloads or backups. How can I get rid of it?

    I now no longer have any storage and it is only 1 week old!!

    For information about the Other category in the Storage display, see this support article. If the Storage display seems to be inaccurate, try rebuilding the Spotlight index.
    Empty the Trash if you haven't already done so. If you use iPhoto, empty its internal Trash first:
              iPhoto ▹ Empty Trash
    Do the same in other applications, such as Aperture, that have an internal Trash feature. Then restart the computer. That will temporarily free up some space.
    According to Apple documentation, you need at least 9 GB of available space on the startup volume (as shown in the Finder Info window) for normal operation. You also need enough space left over to allow for growth of the data. There is little or no performance advantage to having more available space than the minimum Apple recommends. Available storage space that you'll never use is wasted space.
    When Time Machine backs up a portable Mac, some of the free space will be used to make local snapshots, which are backup copies of recently deleted files. The space occupied by local snapshots is reported as available by the Finder, and should be considered as such. In the Storage display of System Information, local snapshots are shown as  Backups. The snapshots are automatically deleted when they expire or when free space falls below a certain level. You ordinarily don't need to, and should not, delete local snapshots yourself. If you followed bad advice to disable local snapshots by running a shell command, you may have ended up with a lot of data in the Other category. Ask for instructions in that case.
    See this support article for some simple ways to free up storage space.
    You can more effectively use a tool such as OmniDiskSweeper (ODS) or GrandPerspective (GP) to explore the volume and find out what's taking up the space. You can also delete files with it, but don't do that unless you're sure that you know what you're deleting and that all data is safely backed up. That means you have multiple backups, not just one. Note that ODS only works with OS X 10.8 or later. If you're running an older OS version, use GP.
    Deleting files inside an iPhoto or Aperture library will corrupt the library. Any changes to a photo library must be made from within the application that created it. The same goes for Mail files.
    Proceed further only if the problem isn't solved by the above steps.
    ODS or GP can't see the whole filesystem when you run it just by double-clicking; it only sees files that you have permission to read. To see everything, you have to run it as root.
    Back up all data now.
    If you have more than one user account, make sure you're logged in as an administrator. The administrator account is the one that was created automatically when you first set up the computer.
    Install the app you downloaded in the Applications folder as usual. Quit it if it's running.
    Triple-click anywhere in the corresponding line of text below on this page to select it, then copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C:
    sudo /Applications/OmniDiskSweeper.app/Contents/MacOS/OmniDiskSweeper sudo /Applications/GrandPerspective.app/Contents/MacOS/GrandPerspective
    Launch the built-in Terminal application in any of the following ways:
    ☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
    ☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
    ☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
    Paste into the Terminal window by pressing command-V. You'll be prompted for your login password, which won't be displayed when you type it. Type carefully and then press return. You may get a one-time warning to be careful. If you see a message that your username "is not in the sudoers file," then you're not logged in as an administrator. Ignore any other messages that appear in the Terminal window.
    The application window will open, eventually showing all files in all folders, sorted by size. It may take a few minutes for the app to finish scanning.
    I don't recommend that you make a habit of doing this. Don't delete anything as root. If something needs to be deleted, make sure you know what it is and how it got there, and then delete it by other, safer, means. When in doubt, leave it alone or ask for guidance.
    When you're done with the app, quit it and also quit Terminal.

  • How do i reduce the amount of storage that is taken up by the "other" category?

    so the category the is yellow and is labelled as other, is taking up a lot of my data, i read online that it helps to delete all the browse history etc. which i did but it did virtually nothing. It is taking up 2.70gb and i dont have enough room to download all the music that i have seletcted which is 493 song which is said to be 3.07gb, my phone has a capacity of "16gb" which is really 13.50gb and i just want to get rid of the "other" because it is silliness.

    It is quite common for the program size listings to be wrong. To check the actual size of the Firefox installation, you can manually check the size of the Firefox [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Installation_directory installation directory]. It is is typically around 26-30Mb, and the default location on 32 bit Windows is C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\
    There are also a couple of other locations where Firefox stores data, check the size of the following folders as well.
    Firefox also stores user data such as bookmarks and passwords in the [[profiles|profile folder]]. It should be inside this folder C:\Users\''username''\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\
    Firefox stores temporary files in the cache. To find the location of the cache, type '''about:cache''' into the location bar. It should be inside this folder C:\Users\''username''\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\
    The last 2 folders are normally hidden, you may need to set Vista to [http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial130.html show hidden files and folders].

  • I have a iphone 3GS and approxiamtely 4 gigs of spaces is taken up by the other categoy. How can I find out what is being stored in the other section to free up some space.

    Can anyone provide some insight on the problem that I am experiencing?  I have an IPhone 3GS.  Four of the 8 total gigs are taken up in the other category. I have attempted to delete apps numerous other things to free up space;  however, I cannot determine why so much of the device's capacity is taken up in the other category.  How can I find out what is stored in the other category to free up some of the device's storage capacity.

    Also read this . If what i put first doesnt fix it.
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/12525465#12525465

  • How come my iPhone has 11gb of the "other" category taken up?

    When I look into iTunes, about 11 gb is taken up because the "other" category on it. I literally just got it last night, has no music, very few apps, and my contacts, that's about it.

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3374331?start=0&tstart=0

  • TS3989 Only some of the photos I have taken on my iPhone appear in the photo stream on my iPad even thou they were taken at the same time. Why is this and how can I import the other photos from my iPhone to my iPad?

    Only some of the photos I have taken on my iPhone appear in the photo stream on my iPad even thou they were taken at the same time. Why is this and how can I import the other photos from my iPhone to my iPad?

    If older photos are missing it may be because photo stream photos are only held in iCloud for 30 days.  After that they are removed from iCloud but will remain (up to 1000 photos) on your device until deleted.  Also, only photos taken after enabling photo stream are added to your photo stream, and only when the camera is closed, your device is connected to wifi and you have at least 20% battery life remaining.
    To transfer the missing photos you can either create a shared photo stream containing them and invite yourself to it (see http://help.apple.com/icloud/#mmc0cd7e99), import the photos to your computer and sync them to your iPad, or use an app like PhotoSync to transfer them to your iPad over wifi.

  • When looking at how much room is taken up by audio, apps, etc. on your phone in iTunes, what is the "other" category?

    When looking at how much room is taken up by audio, apps, etc. on your phone in iTunes, what is the "other" category?

    "Other" contains documents and app data associated with apps.  It can also contain things like stored emails and browser history.  It's usually around 1-2gigs.  If it's any more than that, there's a chance that you have corrupted data on your iPad.  The only way to fix that problem is to restore your iPad to factory settings and start anew.

  • Why does the "other" category take up so much space on my iphone?

    I want to get rid of the "other category that is taking up so much space on my iPhone. It's taking up 2GB of space. Thanks!

    This much "other" indicates corrupt files.
    A restore should resolve.

  • When I see the usage on my iPod touch 4 they have categories for how much space is being used where. What does the "other" category contain? Like what could I delete on my iPod to get rid of the "other" category?

    when I see the usage on my iPod touch 4 they have categories for how much space is being used where. What does the "other" category contain? Like what could I delete on my iPod to get rid of the "other" category?

    What is the Other on my iPhone and How to Remove It
    An "other" larger than about 1 1/2 GB usually indicates that the "other" includes corrupted files.
    First try:
    "First you go settings/general/usage/music/then left swipe over music and press delete and you would think it deletes your music but it doesn't instead it deletes your other but make sure your ipod is connected to a computer while doing this"
    as recommended by:
    How do I get rid of "other" storage: Apple Support Communities
    Next, usually restoring from backup eliminated the corrupted files. However, sometimes restoring to factory settings/new iPod is required.
    To restore from backup see:
    iOS: How to back up
    To restore to factory settings/new iPod see:
    iTunes: Restoring iOS software

  • Whenever I go to iTunes with my iPod 5th generation 32 gb iPod Touch, running iOS 8.0.2, It tells me that the "Other" category is using up 14.59 gb of data. I have no clue why it says this and I have searched the internet for fixes and none worked.

    Whenever I go to iTunes with my iPod 5th generation 32 gb iPod Touch, running iOS 8.0.2, It tells me that the "Other" category is using up 14.59 gb of data. I have no clue why it says this and I have searched the internet for fixes and none worked. I have tried on a windows and a mac and noticed no change. I have tried restoring to a backup but that didn't help. I haven't had time to do a full restore but I will try if the problem persists.

    An "other" larger than about 1 1/2 GB indicates corrupted files.
    What is the Other on my iPhone and How to Remove It
    What is "Other" and What Can I Do About It?
    Next, usually restoring from backup eliminated the corrupted files. However, sometimes restoring to factory settings/new iPod is required.
    To restore from backup see:
    iOS: How to back up
    To restore to factory settings/new iPod see:
    iTunes: Restoring iOS software

  • My phone keeps saying I am running low on storage space. Over half of the contents in it is in the "other" category. what does that include? I wish to have more music

    I have a 16GB iphone but am an avid music lover. I own tons of music. I have iMatch and iCloud. As of right now my phone says I only use about half of the storage space on it in audio. Very litle is used for apps or pictures. I have another half of the storage space in a category called "Other". What is in that category? I would really like to add more music however my storage keeps stating I am almost full and need to manage. I would delete things if I thought it would make more room but it seems to take very little room off when I remove apps and pictures and does not really affect the other category. Someone please help describe what is in that category and how I can change add more room. Thank you!

    This indicates corrupt files.
    A restore should resolve.

  • What is the "Other" category under storage and how can i delete items from this?

    My disc is almost full.  "About this Mac" says that I have 47 GB of "Other."  What is this Other and how can I delete items from this?

    For information about the Other category in the Storage display, see this support article.
    Empty the Trash if you haven't already done so. If you use iPhoto, empty its internal Trash first:
    iPhoto ▹ Empty Trash
    Do the same in other applications, such as Aperture, that have an internal Trash feature. Then reboot. That will temporarily free up some space.
    According to Apple documentation, you need at least 9 GB of available space on the startup volume (as shown in the Finder Info window) for normal operation. You also need enough space left over to allow for growth of the data. There is little or no performance advantage to having more available space than the minimum Apple recommends. Available storage space that you'll never use is wasted space.
    When Time Machine backs up a portable Mac, some of the free space will be used to make local snapshots, which are backup copies of recently deleted files. The space occupied by local snapshots is reported as available by the Finder, and should be considered as such. In the Storage display of System Information, local snapshots are shown asBackups. The snapshots are automatically deleted when they expire or when free space falls below a certain level. You ordinarily don't need to, and should not, delete local snapshots yourself. If you followed bad advice to disable local snapshots by running a shell command, you may have ended up with a lot of data in the Other category. Reboot and it should go away.
    See this support article for some simple ways to free up storage space.
    You can more effectively use a tool such as OmniDiskSweeper (ODS) to explore the volume and find out what's taking up the space. You can also delete files with it, but don't do that unless you're sure that you know what you're deleting and that all data is safely backed up. That means you have multiple backups, not just one.
    Deleting files inside an iPhoto or Aperture library will corrupt the library. Any changes to a photo library must be made from within the application that created it. The same goes for Mail files.
    Proceed further only if the problem isn't solved by the above steps.
    ODS can't see the whole filesystem when you run it just by double-clicking; it only sees files that you have permission to read. To see everything, you have to run it as root.
    Back up all data now.
    If you have more than one user account, make sure you're logged in as an administrator. The administrator account is the one that was created automatically when you first set up the computer.
    Install ODS in the Applications folder as usual. Quit it if it's running.
    Triple-click anywhere in the line of text below on this page to select it, then copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C:
    sudo /Applications/OmniDiskSweeper.app/Contents/MacOS/OmniDiskSweeper
    Launch the built-in Terminal application in any of the following ways:
    ☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
    ☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
    ☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
    Paste into the Terminal window (command-V). You'll be prompted for your login password, which won't be displayed when you type it. You may get a one-time warning to be careful. If you see a message that your username "is not in the sudoers file," then you're not logged in as an administrator.
    The application window will open, eventually showing all files in all folders, sorted by size with the largest at the top. It may take a few minutes for ODS to finish scanning.
    I don't recommend that you make a habit of doing this. Don't delete anything while running ODS as root. If something needs to be deleted, make sure you know what it is and how it got there, and then delete it by other, safer, means. When in doubt, leave it alone or ask for guidance.
    When you're done with ODS, quit it and also quit Terminal.

  • What is the "other" category that occupies storage in iPod touch

    What is in the "other" category that occupies storage in iPod touch?

    The "other" can be corrupted data that keep accumulating, e.g., when you tried to update iOS or apps.
    This is best removed by restoring the iPod.
    Try to restore your iPad by syncing with iTunes and restoring from a backup.  Only, if the backup includes the large "other", restore as a new device.
    See this document on how restoring an iPod:   http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414
    Caution: Restoring as a new device will delete all your data.  Save all data to your computer, before you do it, so you can sync the data back.

  • What does the "other" part in my mac air storage meter mean?

    What does the "other" part in my mac air storage meter mean?

    things that are not audio movies photos apps or backups. Like your OS.
    this also denotes things not indexed by spotlight as that is one of the functions of spotlight, to show you the media you have on your hard drives.

  • When I look at the storage on my Mac under about this Mac, what is included in the "other" category?

    When I look at the storage on my Mac under about this Mac, what is included in the "other" category?

    Hi, just about everything else...
    OmniDiskSweeper is likely the easiest/best, and is now free...
    http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnidisksweeper/download/
    And if needed, you can use Terminal to run it in admin mode to see files/folders your user can't see...
    http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/how_to_recover_missing_hard_drive_space/

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