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What has happened to my iPad Air? I have deleted almost everything. I have one word game and the apps I cannot delete. I have deleted all my photos and cleared safari data. Why is it still almost full? I am using 15.7 out of 16. I used to have a LOT more on here with no issue. In the past few months I cannot use this for anything other than the one game. This thing is only a couple years old.
System include the iOS and stored files, and yes, it's large, but not overly so. The reality is you never had 16GB to begin with. There's iOS, system files, built in apps, etc., which makes the starting space less than you thought you had. What is really eating up your space is Words2 at over 8GB. That's actually more than half the available space you had when the iPad was fresh out of the box. Do you need that app and all it's data?
Apple no longer sells any iPad with only 16GB of space for this very reason. Today's apps, etc., consume more data and it doesn't take much time to run out of space as you've discovered.
You're going to have to do something to reduce the usage of memory on this iPad, or maybe it's time to move up to a newer iPad with more memory.
System include the iOS and stored files, and yes, it's large, but not overly so. The reality is you never had 16GB to begin with. There's iOS, system files, built in apps, etc., which makes the starting space less than you thought you had. What is really eating up your space is Words2 at over 8GB. That's actually more than half the available space you had when the iPad was fresh out of the box. Do you need that app and all it's data?
Apple no longer sells any iPad with only 16GB of space for this very reason. Today's apps, etc., consume more data and it doesn't take much time to run out of space as you've discovered.
You're going to have to do something to reduce the usage of memory on this iPad, or maybe it's time to move up to a newer iPad with more memory.
The reality is a 16 GBs iDevice starts out with approx. between 13-14 GB.
iOS itself need a minimum of between 2-3 GBs. for the OS to run at an acceptable, nominal performance level.
That means the usable storage of any 16 GBs iDevice is really between 10-11 GBs and that is it!
Your iPad is waaaay over that limit right, now.
You need to free up free data storage space on an iPad/iDevice, you need to start by backing up your iPad to either Apple's iCloud or by connecting your iDevice to a computer running the latest iTunes or some other offsite, “cloud” data storage service, like Google Drive/Photos, DropBox, BOX, Flickr ( for images ) or other similar “cloud”, online, offsite data storage/backup services.
Then, delete any installed apps that you no longer use or use infrequently enough that they aren't missed (you can always reinstalled any purchased or free apps at some time later, as you need them).
Thin out/delete any music/videos/movies/TV shows/images/eBooks/eMagazine/iBooks/audio books/Documents/PDFs, etc.
If you use a POP email account on your iPad, delete/thin out any old saved emails that maybe saved to your iPad.
To permanently delete photos/images off of your iDevice go into the Photos app and find the Recently Deleted folder/album and permanently delete any photos/images stored in that folder/album.
Also, you can check to see what stuff is eating up all your valuable data storage space by going into the Settings App,,General Settings Panel, in the right hand column, tap Storage & iCloud usage panel ( in iOS 11, it’s iPad Storage ), in the top Storage Panel, tap the Manage Storage panel, wait for a list of apps to generate that will tell you how much space each app is taking up on your iDevice.
Then, do a hard reset of your iPad by holding down both the Home and sleep/wake buttons simultaneously until your iPad goes to black and restarts with Apple logo, then release the buttons.
Good Luck to You!
Hello,
After reviewing this screenshot it appears that everything is functioning correctly. If you add up 8.43 GB for Words 2 + 6.83 GB for iPad System software (as well as the others) you will find that the used space is correctly reported.
Thank you. I had already deleted everything, The issue is the game I play takes up 8.47 GB and the system takes up nearly 7. Therefore, it is pretty much useless unless I delete the game, which is the whole reason I want to use the ipad. I have apple computers ( and air and a pro) and an iphone with 128GB for pics, mail, internet and everything else. I just want to play my game on it, but now it is so low on storage it often crashes when the ad pops up after each move (It's Words With Friends). I am just going to have to get a new one.
Thank you! Yeah, I am a single lady (widowed) who just left everything behind in FL to come to Colorado for Bible College, so right now money is a bit tight. But - my Dad in FL told me today he has a 32GB he got last year and he doesn't use it, so he is sending it to me! YAY! Thanks for all your help!
Hello,
If money is a concern Apple has some fantastic deals on their Refurbished store. A 32 GB iPad 6th Generation is as low as $279.
Hello,
In Settings -> General -> iPad Storage, does this properly list everything that is consuming disk space?
I just don't get why the system is using so much space now. Is there anyway to fix this? It looks like I will have to buy a different ipad if I want to use it for anything.
Thank you. I guess I will have to start saving up some money.
You're welcome. My iPad/iPhone are now both 256GB. And there are times when I wonder if I should have gone up to 512GB. Save up and get an iPad with the most storage you can afford.
Getting a new more modern iPad with more storage appears to be the best option for you.
Happy shopping!
Fantastic! Enjoy your larger capacity iPad!
iPad Air storage
