16 Gb iPad has only 10% usable storage space.

Really...

This will NOT help a very low storage 16 GBs iPad that starts out with 13.5 GBs after initial formatting.

iOS/iPadOS, like any evolving computer operating system, keeps getting larger snd larger in file size and app file sizes keep getting larger and larger, as well.

Really nothing can be done with trying to get more usable data space with a 16 GBs iPad. Especially so since the introduction of iPadOS.

This will just be a futile attempt.

A 16 GBs storage iPad starts out, after initial drive formatting, at approx. 14.5 GBs of free, internal storage.

After the installation of iPadOS, at approx. 6.5 GBs, leaves 8.0 GBs of of free, internal data storage space.

iOS/iPadOS needs a minimum of 3-6 GBs of constant remaining storage, that MUST BE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES, to insure/ensure nominal, acceptable operation of all iOS/iPadOS functionalities.

This leaves a 16 GBs iPad with ONLY a practical, usable storage space of between 2 and 5 GBs AND THAT IS IT!

This is virtually NO internal data storage to do much of anything with that iPad!

This is why Apple quietly, silently did away with all 16 GBs iOS device back sometime in 2016.

A 32 GBs storage iPad starts out with approx 30 GBs.,after initial internal flash drive formatting.

Minus approx. 6.5 GBs for iOS/iPadOS leaves between 23-24 GBs.

Minus 3-6GBs, for iOS/iPadOS system operational reserve, that MUST BE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES, to ensure/insure normal, expected operation of iOS/iPad OS, leaves approx. between 18-20 GBs of actual, usable data storage space.

Even with 20 GBs of actual, usable internal data storage space in an Apple iOS/iPadOS device,

a 32 GBs data storage devices are, now, more quickly, becoming the “new” low storage 16 GBs internal data storage space devices, today, a 32 GBs Apple iOS/iPadOS device has 3-4 times the internal data storage space of older base model, low internal data storage,16 GBs. internal data storage Apple iOS/iPadOS devices.

In reality and in use, in 2022, a 32 GBs internal data storage device is kind of a joke and of limited usefulness, when up to 2TB of internal data storage ( approx. 1.8 TBs or usable internal data storage ) portable tablet devices exist today.

Apple jput an end to 32 GBs devices, almost a yesr, ago, in September 2021, with the base model iPad now offering 64 GBs of internal data storage ( approx. 50 GBs of actual, usable internal data storage ), which, for a few more years, anyways, has enough storage to make an iPad useful for longer period of time before data storage fills up.

Purchasing a low storage Apple device, to save on the cost of the device, is a false economy.

The storage space is a lot more than just storage - your entire operating system resides and functions within that space. Purchasing any device with a total of only 16 GB does not make any sense unless you do not intend to add anything at all. So, the 16 GB is not "marketed storage"; it is total capacity.

The online Apple store advertises total "capacity" and that now commonly starts at 64 GB. So yours must be an older model. In any case, here is an excerpt of the "fine print" on the Apple store page:

Available space is less and varies due to many factors. A standard configuration uses approximately 12GB to 17GB of space, including iPadOS 15 with its latest features and Apple apps that can be deleted. Apple apps that can be deleted use about 4.5GB of space, and you can download them back from the App Store. Storage capacity subject to change based on software version, settings, and iPad model.

My iPad has a total of 256 GB capacity and the iOS and system data plus my downloaded apps plus photos take up only 20 GB which is less than 10% of the total space.

And, any download also requires space to expand and install > more space needed. As well, you need to have about a minimum of 2 - 3 GB empty and available at all times so the iOS actually has some room to function. If you choose to cut it that close, you will fill it up completely and it will cease to function. Make sure you have a backup because you will not be able to access anything in that case.

Just so you know snd you are aware.

You can consider used and/or MUCH “newer” and less expensive, refurbished or used iPad models, from better known, trusted sources, like other Apple product/device retailers/resellers, some locally or from online, on the Web/Internet, capable of running the latest iPadOS versions.

There are PLENTY of newer, older iPad models that can run the latest, current versions of iPadOS.

All of these older model iPads below CAN, currently, run the latest releases of iPadOS 15 and the up and coming iPadOS 16, releasing sometime in the Fall of 2022.

2015-2017, 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro models. ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2017, 10.5 inch screen iPad Pro models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2017, 9.7 inch screen iPad 5th gen models ( NO Pencil support )

2018, 9.7 inch screen iPad 6th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2019, 10.2 inch screen iPad 7th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2020, 10.2 inch screen iPad 8th gen models. ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2018, 11 inch or 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro models ( 2nd gen Pencil support )

2019, 10.5 inch screen iPad Air 3rd gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2019, 7.9 inch screen iPad Mini 5th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

Get the largest internal data storage model you can afford as NO Apple iOS device has ANY expandable storage.

Good Luck!

RWESTOB wrote:

Thanks for the information, but purchasing advice is not relevant, nor solicited. I’m glad a few of you are able to purchase during these times, but the rest of us are not - and won’t be for a long time.

The link for unsolicited feedback was helpful… and understanding that answers would only be coming from Apple users rather than employees/contractors was helpful.

The purchasing advice would have been more appropriate back when this 16 GB iPad was acquired.

With no means to add internal storage, any device purchased with insufficient storage for the lifetime of the device will mean ongoing and manual and often task-focused management of the available storage.

As apps and usage and user data and iOS and iPadOS and macOS are only going to increase in size over time, a minimally or under-purchased device is inherently going to involve more effort, too.

Or it means an earlier replacement, and then preferably with sufficient storage for the expected lifetime of the replacement.

Locally, iPadOS and system data are just shy of 20 GB; ~9 and ~10 GB. System data can be reduced, but it’ll inevitably re-fill as caches and iCloud data and app data are rebuilt.

As for where Apple is now… The iPad and iPad Pro models are all 64 GB configurations, or more.

RWESTOB Said:

"TheLittles, That was a helpful link, and the information inside is mostly on point with my initial questions. Thanks. Do you have anything for specifically reducing the size of the “System Data” storage item? Already offloaded every app, unloaded to iCloud where possible and and removed excess data otherwise."

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Thank you for that.

As mentioned in my user tip:

"Other" being the Culprit:

Use my User Tip: The storage named "Other"( Now Called "System Data") is the grey bar that is seen in Storage. Sometimes, it can unknowingly take up GBs, and TBs of storage. So, look into clearing that as well. See my User Tip for More: How to Clear "Other" in your iPhone's Storage - Use Backup - User Tip

RWESTOB Said:

"16 Gb iPad has only 10% usable storage space.: I have a 16 Gb iPad, but 12.2 Gb is reserved for iOS (6.77 Gb) and System Data (5.43 Gb).[...]Why am I limited to only using 10% (or less) of the marketed storage capacity?"

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Clear Space:

Use my User Tip: How to Clear Space from your Mobile Device, and What to Clear - User Tip

RWESTOB wrote:

MrHoffman,

Okay, so System Data *CAN* be reduced… the first positive indication out of all the responses! I only need it to be reduced temporarily… reduced enough to install another (bloated) update.

So how do I reduce it?

And the usage comes right back, just as soon as you resume using your iPad, iCloud data, and your apps.

Short of removing everything, this iPad will always be constrained. And it’ll be constrained when empty of apps.

You want a quick and simple answet?

A 16 or 32 GBs storage device, in 2022, is, quite frankly, a joke!

AND the reason Apple finally killed these inadequate storqge devices.

As far as the iOS/iPadOS goes, Apple's iOS/iPadOS installers already weed out features that are not compatible with older iPad models or those iPad models that use lessser hardware that is incapable of supporting certain iOS/iPadOS features.

You are only complaining the other Apple product users here.

You want/wish to complain to Apple, you can send unacknowledged feedback to Apple below.

Tap the link below.

Feedback - iPad - Apple

If you decide to go down the path of purchasing used, secondhand Apple devices, here is how to avoid purchasing an Apple iOS/iPadOS device with user activation lock, in the future.

If you purchase any iPad, or any Apple iOS device, for that matter, used/second hand, online, or even in-person, make sure this iPad does NOT have user activation lock and has been properly reset for sale.

A properly reset for sale iPad should initially power up to an animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen.

DO NOT take the iPad seller's word that this iPad is user activation lock free!

We have seen plenty of used iOS device purchasers get scammed.

User Activation Lock can never be bypasss, circumvented or worked around IF there is no correct previous/original user information to be able to do so.

Apple doesn't get involved with ANY user activation locked, used/second-hand sold devices, either.

So, buyer beware!

If purchasing a used device in-person, power the iPad ON

If the iPad DOES NOT display the initial animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen, then pass on purchasing this iPad.

If the iPad powers up to any other screen, then forget purchasing this iPad.

You cannot trust that the seller actually has the correct needed info to properly reset the iPad back to factory settings right then and there before the actual purchase and exchange of money for the iPad, in question.

Pass on the device!

If you are purchasing this used iPad online ask the seller to provide multiple images, either online or be sent to you via email, showing this animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen of the interested in purchasing iPad model.

Even better, ask for a short video be sent to you showing this animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen, in action and in its entirety, posted to the online ad or emailed to you.

If the online iPad seller refuses any of these requests, pass on the iPad. DO NOT buy!

Good Luck to You!