---
id: freeing-space.why-cant-i-delete-a-required-snapshot
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/freeing-space/why-cant-i-delete-a-required-snapshot
category: "Freeing up space"
subcategory: "Local snapshots and held space"
question: "Why can't I delete a snapshot marked Required?"
alt_questions:
  - "Grey Required pill snapshot"
  - "System update snapshot can't be deleted"
  - "Required by macOS snapshot"
  - "Delete button missing on snapshot"
  - "Why is this snapshot locked?"
short_answer: "macOS needs it, usually for a system update, so it shows a Required pill and can't be deleted. It normally clears itself once that update is complete."
tags: ["local snapshots", "system update", "required"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/freeing-space/what-do-the-snapshot-icons-mean", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/freeing-space/what-do-snapshot-labels-in-whats-using-space-mean"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why can't I delete a snapshot marked Required?

Because macOS needs it — usually for a system update. These snapshots show a grey **Required** pill instead of a Delete button and can't be removed, even with Delete all backed-up.

They normally go away by themselves once the update they belong to is complete. If you need space urgently in the meantime, other snapshots and the rest of your disk are still available to work with — see [Custom reclaim](https://storagestudio.us/faq/freeing-space/what-is-custom-reclaim).