Level 1

22 points

Apple Watch Series 3- Storage Issues

For some reason something other than what it is listed in my apps is taking up a lot of space on the Apple Watch. I checked photos, music, email, and it is not that. This is a much larger amount than anything else, but it is not listed when you look at the storage space. When you add up what is listed, it isn't even close to equalling what is being taken up. Anyway, how can I fix this? I'd rather not have to erase everything an re-pair the watch with my phone, if I could. Thanks in advance.

Apple Watch

Posted on May 21, 2020 4:18 PM

Top-ranking reply

joshkennede

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Nov 11, 2020 9:45 AM

from “hasanfromsakarya”

I have solved the issue.

Here are the steps I took to pinpoint the problem.

1) I paired my watch with another iCloud account and the problem disappeared so it was obvious that the iCloud is the culprit.

2) I checked my iCloud storage to see in a detailed fashion.(in Iphone>Apple ID>Icloud>Manage Storage)

3) I realized that reminders is using 3,9GB which seemed odd.

4) I got on my Mac and found reminders app database(Mac>username>library folder>reminders)

5) I saw that 3 of my reminders which happen to be the only reminders with photo attached have been copied for each day I completed them. 3 photos were 52mb in size and they were repeated 75 days.

6) It was obvious this shouldn't happen.

7) I backed up all my reminders to a note in notes app via a shortcut(shortcuts app).

8) I deleted all reminders in all my devices that use the same iCloud account.

9) I removed all reminders app on all devices. I also removed the watch app on iPhone just to be sure.

10) I signed out of iCloud on all devices and waited for 15 minutes.

11) I turned off all devices and waited for 15 minutes.

12) I logged back in to iCloud in order(Mac > iPhone > iPad > Apple Watch)

13) I waited for several hours so that all data from iCloud servers to sync to my devices.

14) When all finished, my problem was gone.

Finally!

Some strange exchanges with Apple support:

ME: Can you offer me a solution?

Apple Support: No. Wait for an update.

ME: I have waited for 3 updates. How long should I wait?

Apple Support: Indefinitely.

ME: Is this even legal?

Apple Support: This is an extraordinary bug so you must wait.

ME: Shouldn't extraordinary conditions require extraordinary solutions?

Apple Support: We can't do anything that are not on our procedures.

ME: But your procedures don't offer any solution for the iCloud service I still pay on a monthly basis?

Apple Support: We apologize for the inconvenience.

ME: You make your users use a closed operating system and you cause a fatal error since there is nothing wrong with my watch's hardware. Shouldn't you take some sort of responsibility?

Apple Support: Our engineers are doing everything they can.

ME: Are you human?(yes I had to ask that at some point.)

Apple Support: Yes(uncanny valley style)

ME: Fine, I will solve this by myself.

Apple Support: Could you please let us know how if you solve it?

ME: Oh... the audacity!

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58 replies

merlofed

Level 1

8 points

Jul 20, 2020 1:27 AM in response to rsruss67

Hello on my watch series 3 gps 6.2.8 problem seems fixed after one week of the N+ restore.

IMHO the problem is with the icloud synch and specific with messages sync. try to change the message settings without duplicate the Iphone setting (put as personalised). Do this after a restore as a new watch.

Feb 5, 2021 1:28 AM in response to rsruss67

hey

you are going to have to erase and restart your watch every time a new update comes out thats what im having to do so annoying

merlofed

Level 1

8 points

Jul 13, 2020 11:32 PM in response to paulinefromwest roxbury

To figure out where is the problem, just for a test, yesterday I bought a second apple watch (same model series 3 gps) and after 1 day I have the same problem of my other watch storage is full ( the watch is clean no apps no photos no music). So it isn't an HW problem, the problem is probably in the icloud account the fill the watch with something (maybe te message app??).

APPLE fix this thing!

glicky63

Level 1

13 points

Sep 3, 2020 7:54 AM in response to glicky63

Any updates from anyone?

I’ve been running 6.2.8 since mid August when I deleted my phone backup and Health Data from iCloud and fully un-paired and re-paired my watch as new. I haven’t loaded a single app other than the native apps onto the watch as a test. It’s been fluctuating but I currently have 126MB worth of native app data and it says I’m using 2.5GB with 2.2GB available. With no other apps, I’m still seeing the issue persist but with more room so as to not get the “Storage Full” message. At this point I think we have to wait until WatchOS 7 for a full reset. So disappointing.

Mar 15, 2021 2:21 AM in response to michaeltag

That’s the same a my capacity and Everyoen else on this chat . Was on Watch OS 6 around 6GB capacity free been like this on OS 7x . Don’t know why unless the installs are saving snapshots of installed OS like mirrored copies. I have had to remove all stuff reboot the Watch and then install updates

amcglynn

Level 1

4 points

Apr 2, 2021 8:51 PM in response to rsruss67

I’m having the same problem and have been for months. I worked with AppleCare support for a while on it until the girl I was working with just stopped returning my emails. Last she had told me was that engineering is aware of this issue and is working towards a fix but no estimated timeline. It really is too bad because I loves my watch for everything from tracking sleep and workouts to my messages and music and now it’s basically a very expensive timex that just gives me the time and a message that says the storage is full

merlofed

Level 1

8 points

Jul 16, 2020 8:34 AM in response to Trausner

I have bought a new watch just for test but i had the same issue again. Right now with 6.2.8 seems fixed finger crossed

Oct 21, 2020 8:01 PM in response to hasanfromsakarya

This solved the issue I was having. I also had the 3.5 GB Reminders "bug" that is referenced.

Dec 9, 2020 3:59 PM in response to zoltán-Szijártó

It’s obvious this has been going on for 2 years or more in fact major issues last year with on Watch 6x

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251380551

see this

Jul 4, 2020 7:52 AM in response to rsruss67

I have the same issue! I have to delete all my texts and notifications to get rid of the out of storage message.. if it doesn't work I restart. And yes I have tried deleting everything off my series 3 apple watch.. It did noting =( Apple, Please make Watch OS 7 Smaller!

Trausner

Level 1

10 points

Jul 7, 2020 2:44 AM in response to rsruss67

I have the same issue WatchOS 6.2.6 Apple Watch 3 GPS edition.

I just did a new setup for the 2nd time and same issue persists. After a few days all storage is filled up, the watch is super slow, doesn’t even store my stand ups. 0mb available. No apps installed. No music. Just base new install without restore.

The Apple Watch speaker sounds bad too... not sure if thats related through

Apple please fix this in an update. Soon, Thank you

Jul 13, 2020 5:01 PM in response to Leanne_68

I have the exact same issue. I have unpaired the watch and started as a new watch at least 5 times. Still, about every week, I get a message saying that the storage is full despite having no music or podcasts on the watch, my photos are down to 25. In the usage view, there is no way that anything is taking up a total of 4.7 gb out of my apple 3 watch

Jul 27, 2020 9:19 AM in response to merlofed

:D I told the exact same thing to Apple Support that they use us for free debugging and I can accept if they decide to gift me all the things in my shopping cart on Apple Store app. She quietly gave out a bitter laugh.

Nov 11, 2020 8:18 AM in response to rsruss67

I am having the same issue. I am on watch number 2 because apple support assured me it was a memory issue. Apple support was supposed to call me back...they did and left a message on the work phone but I did not have a number to call them back. I took the first watch back and got one with 16GB. Same problem happening. So I thought maybe it was the phone. I paired it with another iPhone I used previously...still the same issue. When I pulled up the usage....it doesn't come close to the limit. I have unpaired, reset and paired, turned it off and on.....currently I have to pair and unpair the watch probably three times a day. I have taken to the iPhone repair center and the quick attempt was not successful. They pretty much did what I had already done. I now have to take the phone and the watch to the repair center and drop them both off if I want them to try and fix it. I should have stuck with a Fitbit. I am beyond frustrated. I wish you luck and I hope you resolve your issue.

Dec 18, 2020 11:46 AM in response to Leanne_68

Adding my discontent: I too have repeatedly unpaired and re-paired my Apple Watch [Model A1978] and iPhone Xs, with updated OS in each, and repeatedly the storage is increased, only to reach max again within hours or minutes. I have deleted Messages, Photos, and Music, as recommended. Makes no difference. Apple, please fix this problem.

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Apple Watch Series 3- Storage Issues