Fix mediaanalysisd storage issues

The release of macOS Sequoia introduced a bug, causing mediaanalysisd space issues, which can end up filling all available space with unnecessary cache data. This can be a significant issue, leaving your device sluggish and unable to perform optimally, if at all. Fortunately, there are short-term solutions to tackle this problem. Here’s a guide to help you manage and resolve these issues, so you can avoid any of the bug’s major side-effects.

Identifying the Problem

If you aren’t sure whether or not you’re experiencing this issue, you can check by, first, opening Finder and navigating to this folder:

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mediaanalysisd/Data/Library/Caches

Basic Solution: Manual Cache Deletion

The most straightforward approach, to fixing the mediaanalysisd space issues, is to manually delete the cache. Begin by opening Finder again and navigating to:

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mediaanalysisd/Data/Library/Caches

Select the com.apple.mediaanalysisd folder and move it to the trash. Make sure you empty the trash otherwise it will still take up space on your hard drive. This method is quick and effective, though it will have to be repeated any time the cache returns, which can grow tedious.

Advanced Solution 1: Simplifying with Apple Shortcuts

For those who prefer a more automated solution, using Apple Shortcuts on can streamline the process. You can follow these steps to create the shortcut yourself, or directly download it using this link.

1. Start by creating a new shortcut.

2. Add a Number action, to set a size limit in gigabytes.

3. Next a Run Shell Script action, and add the following:

SIZE=$(du -s ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mediaanalysisd/Data/Library/Caches/com.apple.mediaanalysisd | awk '{print $1}')

SIZE=$((SIZE/2)) ##SIZE was being doubled. If the file size is wrong, this line may no longer be needed...

echo $((SIZE*1000)) ##Output in Bytes for proper formatting.

4. Now, add a Format File Size action set to Gigabytes, with Include Unit disabled.

5. Use an If action to check if Formatted File Size is larger than the Number. (Make sure to remove the Otherwise to avoid any confusion)

6. Add another Run Shell Script action within the If, and add the following:

rm -rfd ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mediaanalysisd/Data/Library/Caches/com.apple.mediaanalysisd

If you’d like the shortcut to delete the cache without checking it’s size, you can use the last action by itself.

Advanced Solution 2: Utilizing a Bash Script

For tech-savvy users, a Bash script offers a robust solution. Start by creating a new text file, and adding the following:

#! /bin/bash

LIMIT=1 ##Limit in GB



SIZE=$(du -s ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mediaanalysisd/Data/Library/Caches/com.apple.mediaanalysisd | awk '{print $1}') ##Get cache size in KB

SIZE=$((SIZE/2)) ##SIZE was being doubled. If the file size is wrong, this line may no longer be needed...

ACTUAL=$(($LIMIT*1000000)) ##Convert to KB for size comparison

if ((SIZE>=ACTUAL)); then

    echo 'mediaanalysisd cache is greater than '"$LIMIT"'GB...'

    rm -rfd ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.mediaanalysisd/Data/Library/Caches/com.apple.mediaanalysisd

    echo 'mediaanalysisd cache has been deleted!'

else

    echo 'mediaanalysisd cache is smaller than '"$LIMIT"'GB...'

fi

• LIMIT is the cache size, in gigabytes, you’re willing to tolerate.
• SIZE is the current mediaanalysisd space, in kilobytes.
• ACTUAL is LIMIT converted to kilobytes

You can run this file in the terminal by executing sh /path/to/file.

Make sure to save the file as a .sh file, like example.sh.

Conclusion

By employing these methods, you can solve mediaanalysisd space issues. While this doesn’t permanently fix the bug in question, it does offer an effective way to keep it from slowing your system, or worse.

I hope one, or more, of these solutions were helpful to you!

Credits

• Apple – Parts of the Featured Image.