Solving the Mystery: Why Google Drive Consumes Your Mac's Storage Even with Online-Only Files
Many Google Workspace users rely on Google Drive for Desktop to seamlessly access their cloud files on macOS. However, a recurring and frustrating issue highlighted in recent community discussions is Google Drive consuming excessive local storage, even when files are set to "online-only." This insight delves into the problem and explores the community's attempts at finding a solution for persistent google drive space usage.
The Persistent Problem: Google Drive and Mac's System Data
A user recently reopened a locked thread from 2022, detailing a common predicament: despite having 5TB of files on Google Drive and a 1TB MacBook, nearly 290GB of their Mac's storage was categorized as "System Data." Diagnostic tools like CleanMyMac X pointed directly to Google Drive as the culprit, even though all files were explicitly marked as "online-only" within the Google Drive app. Standard troubleshooting steps—clearing cache via the app, restarting the computer, and signing in/out of the Google Drive application—proved ineffective.
Why "Online-Only" Isn't Always Online-Only
The core of the issue lies in how Google Drive interacts with macOS. While "online-only" is designed to prevent local downloads, the application frequently creates and retains local copies of files you access, even temporarily. These files accumulate as an "offline cache" within your Mac's System Data, leading to significant and often hidden google drive space usage.
Exploring Community Solutions and Their Limitations
Community members have offered various explanations and potential fixes, though not all have proven successful:
- Time Machine Snapshots: One suggestion points to macOS's Time Machine local snapshots, which can take up considerable "System Data." While these are automatically managed by the OS and typically disappear after a day or when space is low, they are an OS-level function and generally not the primary cause of persistent Google Drive-related storage issues.
- Logging Out and Back In: This is a common recommendation for clearing application caches. However, as one user emphatically stated, "logging out never works." This suggests that Google Drive's persistent cache mechanism is more robust than a simple application restart or re-authentication can address.
The Frustrating Reality: Manual Cache Clearing
The most effective, albeit inconvenient, solution identified by users is manually clearing Google Drive's cache files from an "obscure cache folder." This process is not straightforward; users often have to search online to locate the specific directory each time. The lack of an easily accessible or reliable in-app option to clear this accumulated cache is a significant pain point for users struggling with excessive google drive space usage.
While the exact path to this cache folder can vary or be difficult to find, it typically resides within the user's Library folder. For advanced users, exploring paths like ~/Library/Application Support/Google/DriveFS or ~/Library/Caches might reveal large cache files, but caution is advised when manually deleting system files.
# Example (use with caution and research specific paths for your version)
# This is a general idea, actual path may vary
# rm -rf ~/Library/Application Support/Google/DriveFS/*Cache*Note: The specific command and path for clearing Google Drive's cache can change with software updates and macOS versions. Always research the most current and safest method before attempting manual deletion.
Workalizer.com's Takeaway
The community insight highlights a critical area for improvement in Google Drive for Desktop. Users need a transparent and reliable way to manage local cache files, especially when prioritizing "online-only" storage. Until an official, user-friendly solution is implemented, Mac users may continue to battle hidden google drive space usage by resorting to manual, often complex, cache clearing methods. We encourage users who have found reliable cache folder locations and clearing methods to share their insights within the Workalizer.com community to help others facing this challenge.