---
id: freeing-space.what-places-does-whats-using-space-check
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/freeing-space/what-places-does-whats-using-space-check
category: "Freeing up space"
subcategory: "What's Using Space (Storage Inspector)"
question: "Which places does What's Using Space check for big space users?"
alt_questions:
  - "What does Storage Studio scan?"
  - "Does it check Downloads and Desktop?"
  - "What locations eat space on a Mac?"
  - "Storage Studio curated list"
  - "Which apps' data does it look at?"
short_answer: "A curated list: device backups, Xcode and Docker data, developer caches, chat and editor app data, your Downloads, Desktop, Documents and Trash, system leftovers, and big libraries like Photos and Mail."
tags: ["whats using space", "scan", "locations"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/freeing-space/what-does-actionable-mean", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/freeing-space/what-are-known-quick-wins"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Which places does What's Using Space check for big space users?

Alongside your biggest folders, it checks a curated list of places that typically eat space on a Mac:

- iOS device backups, Xcode simulators, archives and device support, Docker data and developer package caches
- chat and editor app data (for example Claude, Cursor, VS Code, Slack, Discord, Teams, Spotify, Zoom, WhatsApp and Figma)
- your Downloads, Desktop, Documents and Trash
- system leftovers such as crash reports, Quick Look thumbnails and Mail downloads
- large libraries shown for information, like Applications, Photos and Mail

Each row has a friendly label, so you see "iOS device backups" rather than a folder path. See [what ACTIONABLE means](https://storagestudio.us/faq/freeing-space/what-does-actionable-mean).