If your iPhone is running low on storage space, you may see a message that says "Other" is taking up a large amount of space. This "Other" category can include a variety of different types of data, such as:
- Caches from apps and websites
- Temporary files
- Logs
- Backups
- Mail attachments
- Messages
- Safari data
- Photos and videos
While some of this data can be deleted safely, other data may be important to keep. In this article, we’ll show you how to identify and remove other data from your iPhone so that you can free up storage space.
Identifying Other Data on Your iPhone
The first step to removing other data from your iPhone is to identify what types of data are taking up the most space. To do this, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
On this screen, you’ll see a breakdown of how your iPhone’s storage space is being used. The "Other" category will be listed at the bottom of the screen.
Removing Other Data from Your iPhone
Here are some tips on how to remove other data from your iPhone:
- Clear app caches: Apps can store caches of data to improve performance. However, these caches can build up over time and take up a lot of space. To clear app caches, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Then, tap on an app and tap on "Offload App." This will delete the app’s cache and free up space.
- Delete temporary files: Temporary files are created by apps and websites when you use them. These files can be deleted safely without affecting the performance of your iPhone. To delete temporary files, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Then, tap on "Safari" and tap on "Clear History and Website Data."
- Delete logs: Logs are created by your iPhone to track its activity. These logs can be helpful for troubleshooting problems, but they can also take up a lot of space. To delete logs, go to Settings > Privacy > Analytics & Improvements. Then, tap on "Delete Analytics Data."
- Delete backups: Backups of your iPhone can take up a lot of space, especially if you have multiple backups. To delete backups, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Then, tap on "iCloud Backup" and tap on "Manage Storage." From here, you can delete individual backups or disable iCloud Backup altogether.
- Delete mail attachments: Mail attachments can take up a lot of space, especially if you have a lot of emails with attachments. To delete mail attachments, open the Mail app and tap on an email with an attachment. Then, tap on the attachment and tap on the trash can icon.
- Delete messages: Messages can take up a lot of space, especially if you have a lot of messages with photos or videos. To delete messages, open the Messages app and tap on a conversation. Then, tap on the trash can icon.
- Delete Safari data: Safari data can take up a lot of space, especially if you have a lot of browsing history. To delete Safari data, go to Settings > Safari. Then, tap on "Clear History and Website Data."
- Delete photos and videos: Photos and videos can take up a lot of space, especially if you have a lot of high-resolution photos and videos. To delete photos and videos, open the Photos app and tap on an album. Then, tap on the select button and tap on the photos or videos that you want to delete. Finally, tap on the trash can icon.
Table: Types of Other Data and How to Remove Them
| Type of Data | How to Remove |
|---|---|
| App caches | Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Then, tap on an app and tap on "Offload App." |
| Temporary files | Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Then, tap on "Safari" and tap on "Clear History and Website Data." |
| Logs | Go to Settings > Privacy > Analytics & Improvements. Then, tap on "Delete Analytics Data." |
| Backups | Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Then, tap on "iCloud Backup" and tap on "Manage Storage." From here, you can delete individual backups or disable iCloud Backup altogether. |
| Mail attachments | Open the Mail app and tap on an email with an attachment. Then, tap on the attachment and tap on the trash can icon. |
| Messages | Open the Messages app and tap on a conversation. Then, tap on the trash can icon. |
| Safari data | Go to Settings > Safari. Then, tap on "Clear History and Website Data." |
| Photos and videos | Open the Photos app and tap on an album. Then, tap on the select button and tap on the photos or videos that you want to delete. Finally, tap on the trash can icon. |
Conclusion
By following the tips in this article, you can remove other data from your iPhone and free up storage space. This will help your iPhone run more smoothly and efficiently.
FAQ about How to Remove Other Data from iPhone
1. What is "Other" data on iPhone?
Answer: "Other" data is a miscellaneous category in iPhone storage that includes various file types, such as system caches, app data, logs, and other temporary files.
2. Why is "Other" taking up so much space?
Answer: "Other" data can accumulate over time, especially if you use multiple apps, update the iOS frequently, or store a lot of data in specific apps.
3. How do I check how much "Other" data is on my iPhone?
Answer: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Look for the "Other" category, which shows the amount of storage it occupies.
4. Can I delete "Other" data?
Answer: Yes, you can delete certain types of "Other" data without compromising your device’s functionality. However, some essential system files may be included in "Other" and should not be deleted.
5. How can I delete system caches?
Answer: In Settings > General, tap "iPhone Storage" > "System Data" > "System Caches." Tap "Remove All Caches" to clear temporary system files.
6. Can I remove unused app data?
Answer: Yes, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Tap any app that has a large "Documents & Data" size. Choose "Offload App" to delete app data while keeping the app installed, or "Delete App" to remove both the app and its data.
7. How do I delete Safari cache?
Answer: In Settings, tap "Safari" > "Clear History and Website Data" to remove browsing data. This will clear caches, cookies, and other website-related files.
8. Can I use third-party apps to remove "Other" data?
Answer: While there are apps that claim to clean or remove "Other" data, it’s generally recommended to use Apple’s built-in methods or reputable third-party storage analysis apps for safety.
9. Should I regularly remove "Other" data?
Answer: It’s not necessary to routinely delete "Other" data unless it’s taking up significant storage space. However, deleting unnecessary caches and app data can improve performance and free up storage.
10. How do I prevent "Other" data from accumulating?
Answer: Regularly update your iOS software, restart your iPhone periodically, and manage storage by deleting unused apps, clearing caches, and optimizing app storage settings.
