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"Other" Storage

I keep getting an alert my iPhone is out of storage (32BG). I have deleted almost every app and removed pictures after backing them up to iCloud, cleared the cache in Safari, but the "other" in the storage keeps going up even if I don't use the phone for the day (is currently at 19.71GB). No matter what I do, that number keeps going up. How do I clear that "other" storage?

iPhone 6s, iOS 12

Posted on Jul 29, 2020 6:57 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 29, 2020 7:01 AM

It appears that most of your data is stuck in the other category. I only know of one way to clean up the storage and minimize the "other" category and here is how- (This involves erasing your iPhone and restoring it to factory settings and then restoring from a back up file).

  1. Back up your iPhone to a computer as shown here ➔ Back up your iPhone to your computer.
  2. Erase your iPhone and restore to factory settings by opening Settings General Reset Erase all content and Settings
  3. Restore your iPhone from that back up file on your computer (Step 1) as shown here ➔  Restore your iPhone from a computer back up.

I know that this may turn into a time consuming event and other members of this forum may have other ideas however this is the method that has worked for me.


Axel F.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 29, 2020 7:01 AM in response to holjords

It appears that most of your data is stuck in the other category. I only know of one way to clean up the storage and minimize the "other" category and here is how- (This involves erasing your iPhone and restoring it to factory settings and then restoring from a back up file).

  1. Back up your iPhone to a computer as shown here ➔ Back up your iPhone to your computer.
  2. Erase your iPhone and restore to factory settings by opening Settings General Reset Erase all content and Settings
  3. Restore your iPhone from that back up file on your computer (Step 1) as shown here ➔  Restore your iPhone from a computer back up.

I know that this may turn into a time consuming event and other members of this forum may have other ideas however this is the method that has worked for me.


Axel F.

Jul 29, 2020 7:00 AM in response to holjords

  • Other: Non-removable mobile assets, like Siri voices, fonts, dictionaries, non-removable logs and caches, Spotlight index, and system data, such as Keychain and CloudKit Database. Cached files can't be deleted by the system.
  • System: Space taken by the operating system. This can vary based on your device and model.


About cached files in "Other"

Finder and iTunes categorize cached music, videos, and photos as Other instead of actual songs, videos, or photos. Cached files are created when you stream or view content like music, videos, and photos. When you stream music or video, that content is stored as cached files on your device so you can quickly access it again.


Your device automatically removes cached files and temporary files when your device needs more space.


If storage on your device differs from what you see in Finder or iTunes

Since Finder and iTunes categorize cached files as Other, reported usage for Music or Videos might differ. To view usage on your device, go to Settings > General > [Device] Storage.


If you want to delete the cached files from your device

Your device automatically deletes cached files and temporary files when it needs more space. You don't need to delete them yourself.


In short --> IGNORE, if you are not convinced, Restart the device. You will see that Others Storage will reduce but total storage will remain more or less the same.


Watch the demo in the GIF below made on my iPhone 6 iOS 12.4.7


In short --> IGNORE, if you are not convinced, Restart the device. You will see that Others Storage will reduce but total storage will remain more or less the same


You may watch the same GIF in the form of Video on YouTube --> Others Storage consuming lot of space on an iPhone


"Other" Storage

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