# Apple Support Issue Summary

## Problem Description

**Main Issue:** Cannot free disk space to install macOS update due to OS update snapshot preserving all deleted/moved files.

## Symptoms

1. **System Data is 351GB** (should be ~20-30GB)
2. **Disk is 99.8% full** (only 800MB free out of 494GB)
3. **macOS update requires 17.64GB** but cannot free space
4. **Every file deletion/move makes System Data grow** instead of freeing space

## Root Cause

**OS Update Snapshot is blocking space recovery:**
- Snapshot name: `com.apple.os.update-C6AB179000F92C4C211177BC5C840A511D1AA2A227C324AA9C14FC599E9873`
- Status: **NOT purgeable**
- Note: "This snapshot limits the minimum size of APFS Container"
- The snapshot preserves ALL deleted/moved files, preventing space recovery

## What I've Tried (All Failed)

1. ✅ Moved files to NAS (Synology DS224plus) - Files moved but space not freed
2. ✅ Moved files to external drive - Files moved but space not freed  
3. ✅ Cleaned caches (`~/Library/Caches`, `~/.cache`, npm cache) - No effect
4. ✅ Deleted local Time Machine snapshots - Ghost entry, can't delete
5. ✅ Attempted `tmutil deletelocalsnapshots` - Error: "Stale NFS file handle"
6. ✅ Attempted `tmutil thinlocalsnapshots` - No effect
7. ✅ Restarted Mac multiple times - No effect
8. ✅ Tried `softwareupdate --download --all` - Failed: "Not enough free disk space: 17.64 GB required"

## Current System Status

- **macOS Version:** macOS Tahoe (need to update to 26.2)
- **Disk:** 494.4GB APFS container, 99.8% full
- **Free Space:** 800MB (need 17.64GB for update)
- **System Data:** 351GB (should be ~20-30GB)
- **Snapshot:** OS update snapshot, NOT purgeable, cannot be deleted manually

## The Catch-22

- **Need:** 17.64GB free space to install macOS update
- **Problem:** Cannot free space because OS update snapshot preserves all deleted/moved files
- **Result:** Stuck - cannot update, cannot free space

## What I Need from Apple Support

1. **Tool to force-clear the OS update snapshot** (it's blocking space recovery)
2. **Alternative method to install macOS update** with limited space
3. **Recovery options** to break out of this catch-22 situation
4. **System-level intervention** to release the 351GB in System Data

## Technical Details

- **Snapshot UUID:** F63E39F3-D495-4586-88A4-A1406A7EF46A
- **Snapshot XID:** 6557111
- **Container:** disk3 (494.4GB)
- **Volume:** Macintosh HD (disk3s3)
- **Snapshot Disk:** disk3s3s1

## Files Are Safe

- Files have been moved to NAS and external drive
- Data is safe, but space cannot be recovered until snapshot is cleared
- The issue is purely about freeing space, not data loss

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**Request:** Please provide system-level tools or recovery methods to clear the OS update snapshot so I can free space and install the macOS update.