Mac storage full but no files? Why the numbers do not add up
The space is usually not missing. It is counted in a way that hides it. Here are the five usual causes and how to check them.
Guides
Practical guides to Mac storage: what’s safe to delete and how to get the space back.
Articles, page 8
What is taking up space on my Mac? How to see it in 2 minutes
Check Storage settings, then read your biggest folders yourself. Two minutes, nothing is changed.
What can I safely delete on my Mac? Safe, risky and never
Deletion safety depends on the owner, contents and whether wanted data is recoverable. Here is a folder-by-folder guide: safe, risky and never, and what happens if an item goes.
Is it safe to delete ~/Library/Caches?
Most of ~/Library/Caches is safe to clear, but not all of it. Which caches rebuild on their own, where to be careful, and what happens after removal.