0Sooner or later, all Apple phone owners face the question: how to clear Other storage on iPhone? Insufficient memory on the phone leads to several issues. Primarily, the device may slow down due to a lack of space for storing temporary files and cache. Users encounter difficulties when installing new apps or updating existing ones. Additionally, the inability to save new photos or videos restricts the camera's functionality.
Memory shortage can also lead to app crashes and even the inability to receive incoming messages or calls. That's why Storage Management is crucial. Read our tips to find out how to delete Other storage on iPhone.
Common Causes of Storage Filling
The filling of iPhone storage can occur for several reasons. Primarily, the continual increase in the volume of multimedia files, such as photos and videos, contributes to the rapid filling of the device's memory. Additionally, the continuous downloading and installation of applications also take up space.
Another reason could be the accumulation of temporary files, cache, and application data, leading to the clogging of RAM. Finally, unsuccessful software updates, creating backups, and the absence of regular file cleaning can also contribute to filling up iPhone storage. Understanding and competent System Data Management help maintain optimal performance and available space on the phone. The largest volume of information, typically occupying memory, is usually stored in the "Other" section. What is stored there and how to get rid of Other storage on iPhone?
This memory block includes various types of information that do not fall into the main categories, such as photos, videos, music, and applications. It encompasses the following accumulated data:
- Cache and temporary files created during the use of applications, as well as cache storing temporary data to expedite the operation of applications.
- Various System Data and iOS System Files necessary for the functioning of the operating system.
- Information about the settings and parameters of applications, as well as system settings, stored on the device.
- Temporary backup files created during the synchronization process with iCloud or iTunes.
- Data associated with the use of iCloud cloud services, such as cache, synchronized contacts, calendars, etc.
- Files saved in the cache of the Safari web browser, such as images, styles, and other elements of web pages.
- Various log files and error reports that can be useful for diagnosing issues and improving system stability.
Below, you will find a step-by-step guide on how to delete Other in iPhone storage.
Step-by-Step Guide to Clearing System Data
1. Restart your phone
Over time, the smartphone's memory accumulates cache and temporary files. To quickly remove them, you can restart the device: rebooting frees up RAM, clears the cache, and erases temporary data from the "Other" section in iCloud. All of this enhances the speed of app loading and overall system performance.
A reminder: to restart iPhone X and later models, press and hold the volume up or down button together with the side button. When the "Slide to Power Off" slider appears, slide it, wait a moment, and then turn on the device again. For earlier models, just press and hold the power button until the slider appears, slide it, and turn on the smartphone again. It's advisable to restart the device at least once a week.
2. Delete unnecessary and offload unused apps
We download numerous apps, but don't use them regularly. If you need to free up memory, it's worth reviewing all installed programs. Managing app data helps save space.
How to get rid of the Other in iPhone storage? In this case, you have two options. The first one is to delete apps you don't use to free up space. To do this, press and hold the app icon on the home screen. When the icons start shaking, tap the minus sign above the app icon, and select "Delete App."
The second option is to Offload Unused Apps. In this case, the app will be removed from the smartphone, but all its data will be preserved. If needed, you can download it again and restore all previous settings within a couple of minutes.
To offload an app, open "Settings" - "General" - "iPhone Storage" and select the desired utility. Use the "Offload App" function. The app icon will remain on the home screen, but a cloud icon with an arrow will appear next to it. To restore the app, tap on the icon, and it will be redownloaded from the App Store.
3. Clear the cache in messengers, browsers, and Siri
All applications store a multitude of data on the gadget, accumulating and occupying memory. For instance, active messaging in messengers, joining various groups, and reading channels contribute to the cache storing recent text and audio messages, as well as photos and other media files opened in conversations.
The cache enables the rapid loading of chat data when you launch the application. However, if it becomes overloaded, the application may start to lag or crash.
How to clear Other system data on iPhone? It is necessary to regularly delete app cache and messenger caches. Firstly, this helps free up valuable memory on your device, especially if storage space is limited. Secondly, clearing the cache contributes to enhancing the smartphone's performance.
Also, don't forget to regularly Clear Safari Cache and clear website data in other browsers – temporary files accumulate in them as well. For example, to clear the cache in Safari, go to "Settings" - "Safari" and tap "Clear History and Website Data." You can also clear the Siri and dictation history. To do this, in settings, go to "Siri & Search" - "Siri & Dictation History" and select "Delete Siri & Dictation History."
Regular cleaning helps reduce streaming cache.
4. Delete Old Messages
Clearing text history also helps reduce Other Storage. Additionally, you can set a message retention period to control the amount of data. When the selected timeframe expires, messages will be automatically deleted from iPhone capacity, and free up memory.
5. Clearing Mail Cache
This is another method of how to get rid of Other space on iPhone. Erase temporary files and delete large attachments, and you'll be amazed. To do this, open the email application you use, go to Storage, and delete cached data (for different email clients, these sections may be named differently, but finding them is not difficult).
Additional Tips for iPhone Storage Optimization
1. Remove duplicate photos
To capture a good shot, we often take multiple identical frames and then add the best ones to favorites. Few people delete the remaining duplicates. As a result, the gallery becomes filled with similar photos, taking up a significant amount of memory.
In iOS, there is a built-in feature to remove duplicates. Go to "Photos," navigate to the "Albums" section, and then open the "Duplicates" folder. The system will scan your media files and display all identical shots. If you press "Merge," the iPhone will keep one photo with the best quality and move all similar ones to the "Recently Deleted" folder.
2. Don't forget to empty the trash after deleting media files
Many users are surprised that after deleting photos and videos, the device's memory doesn't increase. What's the matter, and how to clean up iPhone storage Other? If you need to free up even more space, empty the trash. In "Photos," go to the "Albums" section and find "Recently Deleted" — all media files sent to the trash are stored here for 40 days. They still occupy the device's memory.
Under each file, the retention period is indicated. Here, you can choose specific files or all files to permanently delete them from the smartphone.
3. Store media files in the cloud
Photos and videos take up the most space, so it's important to wisely address their storage. The iPhone has a built-in feature - storage optimization. When activated, the original photos are transferred to iCloud, and a compact version remains on the smartphone.
To enable storage optimization, open "Settings" - "Photos." You will see two options: "Optimize iPhone Storage" and "Download and Keep Originals." Tap on "Optimize iPhone Storage," and a blue checkmark will appear next to it. Note that only 5 GB is available for free on iCloud. If you want to upload more data, you'll need to purchase a cloud subscription. iCloud Storage Management also helps save memory on the phone.
An urgent way how to delete Other system data on iPhone
If all these methods don't help, and gadget continues to run slowly and freeze, left with resetting the device to its initial settings. This procedure allows you to eliminate potential software errors or conflicts that may occur with prolonged using and occupy memory.
How to remove Other storage on iPhone? There are two options for a reset. The first is to completely erase, meaning all files will be removed from the device. The second option – reset to default, where all installations will be deleted, but personal files will remain on the gadget. If you create a backup before the dropping, you can later restore both installations and datas.
To perform a dropping, go to "General" - "Transfer or Reset."
Choose one of the two options provided: "Reset" – to erase installations but keep your files, or "Erase All Content and Settings" – to completely remove all data.
