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I have a 4th Gen iPad Air, and suddenly it is showing nearly 6 GB of space taken up by the Photos app, when I only have 13 photos on the device. What is the iPad seeing that could possibly account for this? There is nothing in the recently deleted folder, and I don't use iCloud or Shared Photos or Photo Stream or anything like that. Thanks.
iPad Air, iPadOS 15
thenbp Said:
"No offense, but I see the "backup, wipe clean, restore" method touted for virtually every problem here as just a stab in the dark with no explanation why that might work. Is there any actual reason to believe that this is going to correct this issue or is it just a thing you recommend for every issue for the sake of offering a suggestion?"
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About my Recommendation of Clearing "Other":
My recommendation of clearing "Other" is a method of troubleshooting I've provided over the years, and it has helped many for certain. But... Don't like the method, then don't try it --your call.
Some Explanation/Emphasism on Caches:
A. About Clearing Caches:
Clearing caches makes things be reconfigured to default (how they should be).
B. Safari Caches:
In Safari, for example, caches remember what color of something (i.e. background) was around when you last used the site. When you revisit the site, it opens much faster.
C. Operating System Caches:
By comparison, in the Operating System, caches play a role in remembering a location (i.e. where you last scrolled down to on a window), so that an application can load much faster.
thenbp Said:
"No offense, but I see the "backup, wipe clean, restore" method touted for virtually every problem here as just a stab in the dark with no explanation why that might work. Is there any actual reason to believe that this is going to correct this issue or is it just a thing you recommend for every issue for the sake of offering a suggestion?"
-------
About my Recommendation of Clearing "Other":
My recommendation of clearing "Other" is a method of troubleshooting I've provided over the years, and it has helped many for certain. But... Don't like the method, then don't try it --your call.
Some Explanation/Emphasism on Caches:
A. About Clearing Caches:
Clearing caches makes things be reconfigured to default (how they should be).
B. Safari Caches:
In Safari, for example, caches remember what color of something (i.e. background) was around when you last used the site. When you revisit the site, it opens much faster.
C. Operating System Caches:
By comparison, in the Operating System, caches play a role in remembering a location (i.e. where you last scrolled down to on a window), so that an application can load much faster.
thenbp Said:
"6 GB of Storage Used for 13 Photos on iPad: I have a 4th Gen iPad Air, and suddenly it is showing nearly 6 GB of space taken up by the Photos app, when I only have 13 photos on the device. What is the iPad seeing that could possibly account for this? There is nothing in the recently deleted folder, and I don't use iCloud or Shared Photos or Photo Stream or anything like that. Thanks."
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Two Things:
A. Videos, Perhaps?:
What happens when you tap on each? Does it play as a video?
and...
B. Caches Getting in the Way:
Clear "Other":
Clear the storage named "Other". It basically contains unnecessary files such as caches that are used for system ease of use - all of which gather over time: How to Clear "Other" in your iPhone's Storage - Use Backup - User Tip. Caches would be being used for remembrance of application use. So, clearing other may be the way to go about this, as it would be performs through use of a computer.
thenbp Said:
"6 GB of Storage Used for 13 Photos on iPad: No, the storage is associated specifically with the Photos app, not 'system data'. "
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Clear "Other":
Proceed with clearing "Other". Something may be misconstrued. And clearing that caches would fix this.
No offense, but I see the "backup, wipe clean, restore" method touted for virtually every problem here as just a stab in the dark with no explanation why that might work. Is there any actual reason to believe that this is going to correct this issue or is it just a thing you recommend for every issue for the sake of offering a suggestion?
In the storage statistics the gray area is called System Data, not Other, and the suspect 6 gb are located in the orange Photos area, not in Other or Systems Data, so I am not sure if it is the same issue mentioned in the links provided. But I will try backing up, wiping it clean, and restoring and see what happens.
Wiping and restoring the device did get rid of the ghost data attributed to the Photos app. I have no idea why, but it did, so thanks for giving me a shove in that direction. I'm glad to get that storage back.
I am also glad that I am very familiar with Apple products and am fairly techy; that would be an arduous fix for folks less comfortable with technology.
thenbp Said:
"Wiping and restoring the device did get rid of the ghost data attributed to the Photos app. I have no idea why, but it did, so thanks for giving me a shove in that direction. I'm glad to get that storage back. I am also glad that I am very familiar with Apple products and am fairly techy; that would be an arduous fix for folks less comfortable with technology."
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You are welcome. Glad all is fixed.
Each “photo” may actually be a video, consisting of many frames.
A. No they are not videos. Just a couple screenshots. I take photos and videos with my iPhone, not my iPad.
B. No, the storage is associated specifically with the Photos app, not "system data".
thenbp wrote:
I see the "backup, wipe clean, restore" method touted for virtually every problem here
Nope. It’s a solution for removing excess unaccounted for storage.
6 GB of Storage Used for 13 Photos on iPad
