This directory is where programs are supposed to store cache files. The “primary” user cache directory is stored in ~/Library/Caches/ directory in your Home folder. The rest of this article explores where to find this directory, what it’s for, and what Apple can do better to prevent this from happening. It was all taken by junk files stored in my hidden DARWIN_USER_CACHE_DIR directory. Upon closer inspection of my disk, however, I found where the missing storage space had gone.

The problem began when MacOS migrated to the Apple File System ( APFS), and everyone and their pets attributed the problem to vague APFS related issues. For over a year, I wrongly attributed the storage space to unicorn file-system features like snapshots. However, I couldn’t account for about 130 GB of storage space on my Mac. I checked every file and directory, and used various apps to assess what took up my storage space. So, where did the storage space go? and how is it all Apple’s fault?

My MacBook only has 250 GB of storage, but 130 GB of storage space went missing for over a year.

How to free up disk space on my mac