How can I resolve iPad storage issues without upgrading?

Question

Level 1

4 points

How can I resolve iPad storage issues without upgrading?

I cannot afford a new iPad. I will say that off the bat. I have an older version that’s apparently just labeled “IPad”

i have had this issue a while and getting rather frustrated. I have done everything people have told me to like clearing website data and using adblockers but no matter what I do the iOS and updates take an insane amount of space on my storage and because of this I cannot update my iPad anymore. Whenever I delete photos or apps, the storage I am using will actually increase?? Like it will be on 9.2 gb left (9.36 to update)and I delete tons of pictures, I git rid of all the apps I possibly can and deleted all files, the storage usage then jumped to 8.97. I’m very confused and as you will see in the picture my iPad isn’t even usable anymore because I have nothing on it and it keeps freezing because it needs an update. Please help.

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: why does the iOS take up this amount of space? I’ve done everything…

iPad, iPadOS 18

Posted on Jul 29, 2025 1:45 PM

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Answer 1

WheelieNick

Level 8

45,729 points

Jul 29, 2025 1:54 PM in response to Krilliani

iPadOS is just big, but you can try to Reset your iPad to the factory defaults (make sure to have a backup) to see if that helps, that might help with lots of system data

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Answer 2

sberman

Level 10

271,588 points

Jul 29, 2025 1:54 PM in response to Krilliani

Try this.

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Jul 29, 2025 3:04 PM in response to Krilliani

Regrettably, you are always going to struggle with an iPad that has so little internal storage. The 32/64GB devices are primarily intended for use in Educational settings, or in environments where the ability to store local data on the device is not required.

It is generally recommended that you always maintain at least 4-6GB of free space at all times - as your iPad needs some temporary space to complete many tasks. When performing system software updates, you may temporarily require more...

If your internal storage is full, or is insufficient for the task that you need to perform, your only option is to better manage the storage that you have - and delete unused Apps or unneeded data.

These support pages should prove to be helpful:

About storage on your device and in iCloud – Apple Support

What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? – Apple Support

Manage your iCloud storage – Apple Support

How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch – Apple Support

Clear Other storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

“Offloading” Apps can be a helpful method of creating temporary space for a software update:

https://9to5mac.com/2020/01/21/how-to-offload-apps-in-ios-to-save-space-without-deleting-their-data/

Additional information about creating sufficient space for installation of a software update can be found here:

If you need more space for an update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

External storage options can often help with managing limited internal storage. Depending upon your iPad model, the iPad will either have a Lightning or USB-C port - and may therefore require either an Adapter or USB hub to connect the USB Storage device. If your iPad has a Lightning port, you’ll need an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter:

Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter

https://store.apple.com/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A

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Answer 4

Jul 29, 2025 9:35 PM in response to Krilliani

The type of iPad you bought is mainly used in schools. Were adding stuff to the iPad is locked. You might want to buy an external Hard Drive or use Dropbox to store you stuff in, then delete it from the iPad.

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Answer 5

Jul 29, 2025 2:00 PM in response to Krilliani

Your iPad storage configuration is too small for your current usage.

Having started out with 16 kilobyte systems around here, yes, 32 GB might have seemed like a lot of storage, but it’s not. Not by current standards.

That system data storage is caches, and app-local data, among other uses. Things you have asked your iPad to do.

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