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System Data now takes up over 50 GB on my iPad Pro. Why so big, and how can I stop this resource hog?

I got a notification that my iPad’s storage was low and when I checked “System Data” size was over 50 GB! It’s unacceptable for iPadOS to be such a resource hog when the stock iPad Pros come with only 128 GB. Why is it doing this and how can I fix it? (IPad Pro 12.9” 5th gen, iPadOS 15.6.1)

iPad Pro, iPadOS 15

Posted on Sep 10, 2022 11:17 AM

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Posted on Sep 10, 2022 1:25 PM

I did see this answer when searching the issue previously, but it doesn’t explain why the System Data is nearly half the size of the storage drive that came with my iPad Pro.  I had already offloaded original photos and unused apps and cleared the cache on both of my web browsers (Safari and FireFox).  Even a forced-restart didn’t help reduce the System Data by much, percentage wise. 


My question is why is the System Data taking up 50 GB out of 128 GB?  It is absurd for Apple to allow it to be nearly half the size of the storage drive unless something is very wrong with my iPad.  Second question was how do I fix it (bloated System Data, not reduce data on storage drive).  I admit, I should have mentioned that I had already performed the above steps (offloading photos and apps, clearing the browsers cache and restarting), but that only freed up less than 2 GB of the System Data.  Fifty GB is ridiculous for System Data on a 128 GB drive.  If this is normal for iPadOS, Apple needs to sell iPads with larger minimums for their storage drives.  So, if anyone knows why the System Data on my iPad is so ludicrously huge, I’d like to know.  At this point I’m thinking of doing a reset or wipe and reload to see if it will return more normal System Data usage. Thanks. 

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Sep 10, 2022 1:25 PM in response to ichosethered1

I did see this answer when searching the issue previously, but it doesn’t explain why the System Data is nearly half the size of the storage drive that came with my iPad Pro.  I had already offloaded original photos and unused apps and cleared the cache on both of my web browsers (Safari and FireFox).  Even a forced-restart didn’t help reduce the System Data by much, percentage wise. 


My question is why is the System Data taking up 50 GB out of 128 GB?  It is absurd for Apple to allow it to be nearly half the size of the storage drive unless something is very wrong with my iPad.  Second question was how do I fix it (bloated System Data, not reduce data on storage drive).  I admit, I should have mentioned that I had already performed the above steps (offloading photos and apps, clearing the browsers cache and restarting), but that only freed up less than 2 GB of the System Data.  Fifty GB is ridiculous for System Data on a 128 GB drive.  If this is normal for iPadOS, Apple needs to sell iPads with larger minimums for their storage drives.  So, if anyone knows why the System Data on my iPad is so ludicrously huge, I’d like to know.  At this point I’m thinking of doing a reset or wipe and reload to see if it will return more normal System Data usage. Thanks. 

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Sep 11, 2022 8:59 AM in response to LotusPilot

Yes, I did everything above, except I learned today I was doing a “soft reset” instead of a “forced-restart.” Yesterday, I wiped the drive and did a new install. That’s something I had to do fairly often back when I was building my own PCs and trying out too many apps. It worked, of course, but the System Data should never have grown so large it took up almost half of my storage drives capacity. I’d still like to know what’s going on with the iPad system cache; Apple needs to fix this. Thank you for your help LotusPilot!

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Sep 10, 2022 12:07 PM in response to ichosethered1

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


“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 your 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.


As for your System Data…



As you can see from this screenshot, System Data includes various system caches, logs and system resources. The only element that you can directly influence is perhaps your browser caches - which you can manually clear if you wish to do so.


For Safari:

Settings > Safari > Clear History & Website Data


For other browsers, you’ll need to find the relevant section of the App settings - which may be within the App itself.


Otherwise, transient system caches can be significantly reduced by performing a forced-restart of your iPad - although caches, by their nature, will again accumulate and be automatically managed by the operating system.


Forced-restart


  • On an iPad with a Home button: Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.
  • On other iPad models: Press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release the volume down button, then press and hold the top button. When the Apple logo appears, release the button.


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Sep 11, 2022 9:39 AM in response to ichosethered1

You are very welcome. The forced-restart procedure was, of course, outlined within my initial reply.


While I cannot provide a definitive explanation for why the problem has occurred in your specific circumstances, I am nonetheless delighted to learn that the issue is now resolved.

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System Data now takes up over 50 GB on my iPad Pro. Why so big, and how can I stop this resource hog?

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