Cleaning out storage question

Hello Hiker-Mike, welcome to the Apple Support Comunity forum!

Just so you know, all the files in messages are cached from old iMessages (Photo's sent and received) and if nothing saved on iMessage is of value to you you can delete the videos, photos and other in messages however, it will delete any unsaved photos in your messaging history with someone (On your end only).

This article might also help;

How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Need more help?

• Call Apple Support at 1-800-APLCARE. 📞
• International Support. 🌐
• Contact Apple Support. 📝
• Chat using Messages. 💬

Hiker-Mike wrote:

I restart my iPad every week as a regular practice. It has not helped recover any space

You may want to consider resetting your device to factory settings.

*This will erase all data on the device and unless it is backed up you won't be able to recover it*

How to reset an iPad: Erase iPad - Apple Support (CA)

How to backup an iPad: Back up iPad - Apple Support (CA)

The other option would be to contact Apple Support as they might have an easier solution.

Apple Support Contact Info:

• Call Apple Support at 1-800-APLCARE. 📞
• International Support. 🌐
• Contact Apple Support. 📝
• Chat using Messages. 💬

Hiker-Mike wrote:

That is what I am trying to avoid

just want to free up a couple gigs until I get a new ipad

Resetting it is not that hard, I am not really sure what to do if you can't delete anything from it.

However, as I said before you can always contact Apple Support as they might know more about this issue.

Apple Support Contact Info:

• Call Apple Support at 1-800-APLCARE. 📞
• International Support. 🌐
• Contact Apple Support. 📝
• Chat using Messages. 💬

Hiker-Mike wrote:

I tried to delete all the videos and photos but it did not reduce the size shown. The video folder had a bunch of videos, I deleted them but the space was not recovered.

Try to restart the iPad and also restart the app (Double Click Home Button > Swipe up on settings > Good to go!)

In case you don't know how to restart an iPad, this article should help;

Restart your iPad - Apple Support

If your internal storage is full, your only option is to better manage the storage that you have - and delete unused Apps or unneeded data. 

These support pages should prove to be helpful:

About storage on your device and in iCloud – Apple Support

What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? – Apple Support

Manage your iCloud storage – Apple Support

How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch – Apple Support

Clear Other storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

If needed, “Offloading” Apps can be a helpful method of creating temporary space for a software update.

https://9to5mac.com/2020/01/21/how-to-offload-apps-in-ios-to-save-space-without-deleting-their-data/

Additional information about creating sufficient space for installation of a software update can be found here:

If you need more space for an update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Updating an iPad using a PC or Mac computer can reduce the amount of free-space necessary to perform the update - as the initial download, unpacking and verification is performed on the computer prior to installation. However, even this method is not possible if your iPad has too little free space.

And have you followed the last link in the list?

Clear Other storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support