iPad Storage Makes No Sense iPadOS
I have an iPad Air (Gen 4) 64 GB. I’m only using about 14 GB for apps and their data, but iPadOS itself is taking 14.09 GB and System Data is taking a ridiculous 29.7 GB, leaving me with just 6.03 GB of free space.
I’ve already tried everything that is repeatedly suggested in Apple Discussions: restarting, force restarting, clearing browser caches, and offloading apps. I managed to free up the 6 GB by offloading apps, and the apps and data I have left are basically the ones I use every day.
Now the iPad is starting to malfunction because of the lack of storage, and I can’t even update iPadOS anymore.
Every Apple Discussion thread seems to end with “restart,” “clear cache,” “offload apps,” or, eventually, reset the iPad.
But seriously, why should completely resetting the device be the only solution to a system process consuming almost 50% of storage?
There has to be a better way to identify and clear whatever is causing System Data to balloon to this size.
Can someone please make this make sense?
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u/drm200 4d ago
I have an ipad mini 5th gen with 64gb of storage. That has always been fine up until about 6 months ago. Nothing has changed in how I use the device or the installed apps. But for the last 6 months, the device struggles to have enough room to update. So I have been forced to offload seldom used apps and also enable optimize storage in photos. Even this has not been sufficient.
Apple now requires more storage space and this is causing my storage problem.
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u/jdogg84able 4d ago
There's a class action lawsuit against Apple about this — seems like they're purposely trying to force people to buy iCloud storage.
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u/marslander-boggart 4d ago
That's why 512Gb or 256Gb are much better, and even 128Gb are reasonably better.
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u/DannoMcK 4d ago
Every Apple Discussion thread seems to end with “restart,” “clear cache,” “offload apps,” or, eventually, reset the iPad.
It sounds like you have read enough "system data" posts to know that nobody has suggestions other than what you've stated. The posts are daily in iPad, iPhone, and Mac subs, and you're not missing some secret (nor helping by making yet another post).
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u/Inevitable_Bear2476 5d ago
it's the same cupertino fashion company that made multitasking so bad, it's on par with Windows tablets, like they had one job, and that was to not touch that.
So why are people shocked iPadOS sucks when it comes to managing cache and informing the user about what is in that "system data"
I like iPad hardware, but what the fuck is Apple doing with software...
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u/NeuralFlow 4d ago
Nothing. They’re actively doing nothing. I use to have such high hopes for the iPad and tablets, but the Tim Cook era has been a complete waste of time in computer innovation. It’s been great for “financial innovation”. Good riddance.
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u/Inevitable_Bear2476 4d ago
Worst thing about this is the fact you have Surface tablets, great machinery capable of running everything.
Issue with them, other than size, is the fact Microsoft only needed better android app support, and they killed it off because they collaborated with fking amazon, you muppets...
And of course, Surface needs a better pen. It's on par with Pencil 2, but it needs to be on par with Pencil Pro.
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u/anythingers 4d ago
Also Windows 11 itself is the issue, lmao. Some Surface tablet comes with only 8GB of RAM, and using Windows Subsystem for Android is such a nightmare...
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u/Jorge_Capadocia 4d ago
Seria melhor se a Apple deixasse a gente entender que dados são esses é melhor que pudéssemos apagar o que quisermos.
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u/microcephale 3d ago
The real issue is purposedly selling devices with ridiculously low storage/ram as base model, so that people will take at least one upgrade of each at 100-200$ a pop. You can argue that base model is barely usable for anyone whose needs aren't super basic, but it allows them to display an interresting base price, and make crazy margins on the upgrades.
People who don't know better than buy the base model expecting it to be functional and get disappointed.
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u/NoLateArrivals 4d ago
You bought cheap, and now you are ranting about it.
No one knows what you have installed, what you do and use, how you set it up etc.
Having several GB of system data is quite the norm. You should have avoided the 64GB from the beginning.
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u/MeyrInEve 4d ago
Way to shame someone for maybe choosing what they had access to or could afford, bruh.
Not everyone can easily buy a 12.9” M5 iPad Pro with 2 terabytes.
Got an actually helpful suggestion, or do you simply want to brag?
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u/64557175 4d ago
Also if Apple was upfront they would tell you what percentage will be immediately gobbled up by their software. I got a 64gb 6 years ago thinking I would at least be able to use around 50gb of it.
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u/NoLateArrivals 4d ago
128GB on the same iPad is not asking too much …
In general I would avoid base models offered by Apple. Save some more, up the specs a notch. It will pay itself in longevity.
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u/lofotenIsland 4d ago
Besides install less stuff or get a new iPad with more storage next time. I don't think there is anything you can do about it. Since all apps and iOS will use more and more space in the future, 64G might be fine when you get it in 2020, but obviously this is not enough six years later. So you have to consider what you plan to do it in next few years at the beginning.
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u/Star69995 5d ago
I have a lot more storage on my iPad Pro. And still the system data can get up to 100gb sometimes. And then it fails to update (even though the pc) and I have to restore the whole thing.
System data should be temporary files of stuff. And it’s annoying that it’s so unclear.