Your ultimate guide to managing “Other Users & Shared” storage on Mac

“Other Users & Shared” in Mac storage is the space taken up by files created, modified, or shared by the other user accounts on your Mac; on macOS Ventura and earlier, the same category is called “Other Users”. You can't select or empty it in Storage settings — you reduce it by cleaning up those accounts and their files, as the steps below show.

What is "Other Users" on Mac storage?

Macs are built to handle multiple users, allowing each person to have their own separate account on the same device. This design ensures that each user's data and files are stored in their own user folders, remaining private and inaccessible to others.

So, when you see Other Users & Shared in your Mac storage, it contains files created, modified, or shared by the other user accounts on your Mac (not the one currently logged in). These accounts can include administrator accounts, standard user accounts, guest accounts, and sharing-only accounts.

If your Mac has only one user, you might still have this category, and it may be large. It usually happens if you've previously had other users. Even if they were deleted, the associated data may still be stored on your MacBook. 

It's important to distinguish this from the "Other" category, which includes miscellaneous files that don't fit into typical categories like Applications, Documents, or Photos.

It is also not a folder you can open and empty. Apple lists Other Users & Shared alongside macOS and System Data as categories that only report how much space they occupy — you cannot select them in Storage settings. Reducing the category means working through the accounts and files behind it, which is what the steps below do.

What else is included in this category

Except for user files and documents, some other types of data may be included in the Other Users & Shared category:

• Temporary, hidden, and cache files generated by the apps these users have installed
• Browser data (including cache and cookies) 
• Time Machine snapshots
• Other hidden system data (including log files)
• Virtual machine files from apps like Parallels 

All of these files are usually the main culprit behind the category growing too large because they are harder to manage than "visible" ones like photos, downloads, or documents. 

Why is the Other Users & Shared category so big?

If you notice that the category is noticeably large, multiple factors could be at play:

• When multiple user accounts are created, each account accumulates its own set of files, applications, and data over time, contributing to the overall storage usage.
• Another possibility is that the Shared folder, designed for collaborative file sharing among users, may contain numerous large files.
• Leftover files from deleted accounts can also linger, taking up space even after the user account has been removed.

Now, to the big question. How can you reduce it? Let's head to the next section.

How to reduce "Other Users & Shared" storage on Mac

Before we get carried away with all the tips and tricks on how to reduce Other Users & Shared storage on Mac, first, ensure you back up your data using Time Machine. It just protects you against any accidental data removal.

Simply connect a compatible external storage device and head to System Settings > General > Time Machine to set it up and start the backup process.

Once you've backed up your Mac, follow the steps below one by one.

1. Check your Shared folder (/Users/Shared)

When was the last time you had a look at the Shared folder on your Mac?

The Shared folder is a central hub for sharing documents, media, and other files. Files placed here can be accessed and viewed by all users on the Mac. So, as you can imagine, files can build up quickly; this folder is a good place to start when you want to reduce what the Other Users & Shared category reports. Here's how to check it:

1. Open the Finder and click Select Macintosh HD.

2. Now, go to Users > Shared.

3. Review the contents and move any items no longer needed to the Trash.

Once you've finished, don't forget to empty your Trash. Let's head to the next tip.

2. Clean up your Mac (find hidden files)

Another simple way to reduce clutter and reclaim valuable storage space is to run some general Mac cleanup tasks.

Removing unnecessary items like system cache, user cache files, and user log files can help drastically reduce the Other Users & Shared category.

The easiest way to do this is to harness the capabilities of a purpose-built Mac cleaner like CleanMyMac. This app comes with a feature called Smart Care, which scours the hidden and hard-to-reach folders on your Mac, locating junk threats and optimizing performance all in a few clicks. It also checks your Mac for malware and other threats.

Here's how to use it:

1. Open the app (get your free trial here).

2. Click Smart Care > Scan.

3. Click Run.

If you want to take decluttering to a whole new level, consider removing unneeded stuff from whichever cloud storage you use. CleanMyMac can help you out here, too. It now comes with the Cloud Cleanup feature that lets you scan your cloud storage and shows the largest files so that you can then remove them with a click.

Now that your Mac is tidy, let's head to the next tip.

3. Check and review your Mac's user accounts

Another good way to reduce Other Users & Shared on a Mac is to review how many user accounts are actually in use on your Mac. It's possible some are old and no longer needed, which means you can remove them, saving space. Here's how to do it:

1. Open System Settings (from the main Apple menu or the Dock).

2. Select Users & Groups.

3. Check to see which Users are in the list. To delete one you no longer need, click the information (i) button next to its name.

4. Click the Delete User button and select Delete the home folder.

5. Click Delete User.

4. Check your Users folders

It's also possible that files have been accidentally saved in your User folder; this will also contribute to the storage volume under the Other Users & Shared category. It's easy to check and remove items; here's how:

• Open the Finder and select Macintosh HD.
• Select Users and click your user name.
• Review items; if you do discover items that shouldn't be here, relocate them or move them to your Trash.
• Empty the Trash.

5. Delete local Time Machine snapshots

Finally, take some time to remove unnecessary Time Machine snapshots. There are two ways to do it. The first one is automatic (with CleanMyMac — a Mac maintenance app mentioned above), and the second one is to run a few Terminal commands. Let's start with the easy one: 

1. Open CleanMyMac — get a free trial of the app. 
2. Click Performance > Scan. 
3. Click Run in the Thin Time Machine Snapshots tile (note: you won't see it if you've disabled Time Machine backups).

The second way is to use Terminal. Here's what to do: 

1. Open Terminal.
2. Type: tmutil listlocalsnapshots / 
   You will see a list of snapshots with names like "com.apple.TimeMachine.2021-08-25-180516"
3. To delete a specific snapshot, run this command: tmutil deletelocalsnapshots followed by the date of the snapshot you want to delete
   (like tmutil deletelocalsnapshots 2021-08-25-180516).
4. You should see: Delete local snapshot '[your date]'
5. Repeat for all snapshots you want to remove.

Important: If you're not comfortable with using Terminal, it's better to use CleanMyMac to avoid corrupting the backup process or removing any vital files.

Best Mac software for user privacy and data cleanup

Over time, unused user accounts, cached browser data, old logs, and leftover files can accumulate and potentially expose personal information.

Using a dedicated cleanup and privacy tool can help you safely remove hidden clutter and keep sensitive information secure — all without digging through system folders manually.

CleanMyMac: Smart cleanup and protection in one app

If you're looking for an all-in-one solution, try using CleanMyMac. 

Designed specifically for macOS, it helps you remove unnecessary files, optimize performance, and protect your privacy in a matter of minutes. 

Unlike manual cleanup methods that require digging into system folders or using Terminal commands, CleanMyMac simplifies the entire process into a safe experience.

Managing your Mac's storage can be a bit of a puzzle, especially when dealing with the Mac's Other Users & Shared storage category. By understanding what this category includes and taking steps to clean up unnecessary files, you can free up valuable space and keep your Mac running smoothly.

So, whether it's checking your Shared folder, removing old user accounts, or using a handy cleaning tool, a bit of maintenance can go a long way. Thanks for joining us, and until next time.