As an iPhone user, you may face storage space issues, especially when you have a lot of essential data on your device. The “Other” storage on iPhone is known to be a massive issue, taking up a lot of space, making it challenging to download new apps, music, photos, and videos. The “Other” storage element comprises cookies, caches, and other data not classified by iTunes, including system files, corrupted backups, and temporary files. This blog will walk you through the process of deleting system and other storage on iPhone.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Deleting System and Other Storage on iPhone
Most iPhone users often overlook the “Other” category, not realizing its impact on the device’s overall performance and storage. This storage category can accumulate, slowing down the device and taking up a lot of space. The inability to delete the “Other” files via the iPhone’s storage settings is another challenge. The phone’s storage setting only helps delete partial system files and data, leaving other data unaccounted for. Therefore, you must use third-party software or manual processes to delete this data.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before deleting the “Other” storage on your iPhone, you must prepare your device and other essential elements to ensure the safety of your data.
i. Backup Your Data
This step is crucial in ensuring that your essential data is not lost during the deletion or cleaning process. Ensure that you backup your device data using iCloud or iTunes before deleting your device’s “Other” storage.
ii. Check the iOS Version
It is crucial to check your device’s iOS version to ensure compatibility with the deletion process. The process may vary, depending on the iPhone’s iOS. Hence, understanding your iOS version is vital.
iii. Download Third-Party Software
You may need third-party software to help delete the “Other” storage from your iPhone. Therefore, you must download trusted and reliable software from known sources to avoid any data or security issues.
Method 1: Clear Safari Cache to Delete “Other” Storage
Clearing Safari’s cache data is a straightforward process that can free up a lot of storage space by removing files such as images, scripts, and cookies.
Steps
Step 1: Open the iPhone’s Settings app
Step 2: Scroll down and select Safari from the list of apps
Step 3: Scroll down and select Clear History and Website Data
Step 4: Select Clear History and Data to confirm
Pros:
– It is a quick and straightforward process
– The method is integrated into the iPhone’s settings and thus free
Cons:
– The method does not clear all “Other” files on your iPhone
– It only focuses on Safari cache files
Method 2: Use a Professional iOS Cleaner
Using a professional iOS cleaning tool can help you identify and delete unnecessary files that are taking up space on your iPhone. These tools often come with additional features that can help enhance your device’s performance.
Steps
Step 1: Download, Install and Launch the iOS cleaner tool
Step 2: Connect your iPhone to your computer
Step 3: Initiate a full scan of your iPhone
Step 4: Select the “Other” storage category from the scan results
Step 5: Review the files and select the ones you want to delete
Step 6: Initiate the deletion process and wait for the process to complete
Pros:
– It is a quick and straightforward process
– The method can identify and delete all “Other” data types
– The tools often include other features, such as device optimization, data backup, and recovery
Cons:
– The method may incur some additional costs, since premium versions of the cleaning tool come at a cost
– Users need to be careful when selecting cleaning tools to prevent data loss
Method 3: Delete Large iMessage Attachments
Most iPhone users receive and send numerous iMessages, containing large video, audio, photo, and document attachments, resulting in massive “Other” storage. This method focuses on deleting such large attachments.
Steps
Step 1: Open your Messages app on the iPhone
Step 2: Select a conversation with large iMessage attachments
Step 3: Press and hold the attachment
Step 4: Select “More” to view all attachments in the conversation
Step 5: Select the attachments you want to delete
Step 6: Click on the Delete icon to remove the selected attachments
Pros:
– Users can identify and delete large iMessage attachments consuming the iPhone’s storage space
– The method is free
Cons:
– The method only focuses on iMessage attachments and ignores other “Other” storage categories
– The method only focuses on a conversation-by-conversation basis unless users manually check all chats for large attachments
Method 4: Restore iPhone to Factory Settings
Restoring your iPhone to its factory settings deletes all data and files on the device. It is a relatively quick way to get rid of all unwanted files and free up space on your iPhone.
Steps
Step 1: Backup your iPhone data using iCloud or iTunes
Step 2: Open the Settings app
Step 3: Click on General
Step 4: Select Reset
Step 5: Select Erase All Content and Settings
Step 6: Provide your iPhone passcode
Step 7: Select Erase iPhone
Pros:
– All files and data are deleted, freeing up a lot of space
– The method ensures that all files and data are removed
Cons:
– The method deletes all your data and therefore requires backup and restoration
– The method takes longer than the other methods listed
Why Can’t I Delete System and Other Storage on iPhone?
Most iPhone users face challenges when attempting to delete “Other” storage on their devices. Here are some reasons why you may not delete “Other” storage on your iPhone:
1. Inability to Reach File System
Most iOS file systems are locked, and Apple does not allow third-party applications to access them. Therefore, users cannot access or delete “Other” files using the device’s storage settings.
2. Lack of Knowledge of System Files
Most iPhone users do not understand the functions and roles of system files and may accidentally delete essential system files, affecting the device’s performance.
3. Some Files are Invisible
Some “Other” files on the iPhone are invisible, not appearing in the storage settings. Therefore, users cannot delete such files, making it hard to free up space.
Fixes:
– Use third-party cleaning tools to identify and delete “Other” files
– Delete all iMessage attachments containing large files
– Clear Safari or any other application’s cache files regularly
– Update your iOS regularly to fix any system file issues
Additional Tips
– Ensure that your iPhone’s software is up to date
– Restart your iPhone regularly
– Use iCloud to store files such as photos and videos
– Delete unwanted applications and data regularly
– Avoid jailbreaking your iPhone
5 FAQs
Q1. Does clearing Safari cache delete all “Other” files?
Q2. Can I delete “Other” files manually?
Q3. Is it safe to restore my iPhone to factory settings?
Q4. Will deleting “Other” files enhance my iPhone’s performance?
Q5. Can jailbreaking affect the deletion of “Other” storage?
Conclusion
Freeing up space on the iPhone and enhancing its performance is crucial for the device’s longevity. Deleting “Other” storage on the iPhone is a crucial step in achieving this goal. For this reason, it is critical to understand the process and the available methods and their pros and cons. Use these methods to delete “Other” storage and free up space on your iPhone.