Freeing up space · Local snapshots and held space
What do "Required by macOS" and "Your Mac can clear this by itself" mean under Space held by backups?
Short answer: Required by macOS means leave it; Your Mac can clear this by itself means it'll go when room is needed; Not marked clearable means macOS hasn't flagged it either way. Each also shows its age and purpose.
Under Space held by backups, each snapshot is labelled with what can be done about it:
- Required by macOS — your Mac needs this one; leave it alone.
- Your Mac can clear this by itself — it will go on its own when the room is needed.
- Not marked clearable — macOS hasn't flagged it either way.
Each also shows its exact age, when it was created and why it exists — a restore point made before a system update, or a routine automatic one. The section heading gives the headline: how much is held and how old the oldest snapshot is. See the Local Snapshots manager.