---
id: mac-storage-basics.what-is-other-volumes-in-container
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-is-other-volumes-in-container
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "System Data and the storage categories"
question: "What does \"Other Volumes in Container\" mean in Storage settings?"
alt_questions:
  - "other volumes in container mac"
  - "other volumes in container huge"
  - "what are other volumes storage settings"
  - "delete other volumes in container"
  - "hidden volumes using space mac"
short_answer: "Space used by other volumes sharing your startup disk's container — mostly macOS's hidden Preboot, Recovery and swap volumes, plus any volume you added yourself."
tags: ["storage settings", "apfs", "volumes"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-is-an-apfs-container-and-volume", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-are-macintosh-hd-and-macintosh-hd-data"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What does "Other Volumes in Container" mean in Storage settings?

It's space used by the other volumes that share your startup disk's APFS container — mainly macOS's own hidden volumes (such as Preboot, Recovery and the volume that holds swap), plus any extra volume you added yourself, like a separate volume for a test macOS.

The system ones are managed by macOS and shouldn't be deleted. If you added a volume you no longer need, you can delete it in Disk Utility, after copying off anything on it.