IPAD Storage full with large other system data

JeniusEagle Said:

"IPAD Storage full with large other system data: Just reset the iPad, and now it has 25 GB of other system data... no apps are taking above 50 MB. Why is IPAD storage full after resetting? How do I remove the other system data"

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Rid of "System Data" (Formerly Called "Other"):

Use my User Tips:

• How to Clear Space from your Mobile Device, and What to Clear: - User Tip. You may have too much installed, and need to clear space. So, see my user tip: 
• How to Clear "Other" in your iPhone's Storage - Use Backup - User Tip. Caches would be being used for remembrance of application use. It is essentially the same for an iPad: Backup your iPad, and then restore your iPad from the backup you've just created. All System Data will delete.

System storage includes a lot of cached data. Unless you are approaching the limits of available free space (which, by your description you are not), you should have no concerns. iPadOS16 appears to make more use of available storage for temporary system caches.

Reported System Data (a.k.a. “other data”) can be expected to fluctuate. Your iPad will automatically and optimally manage its available system resources, using available free space to cache data and improve overall performance.

The only element of system storage 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.

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

Cached system data can also be cleared with a restore. More information about clearing system/other data is outlined here:

Clear Other storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

FunkyBKool Said:

“[…]Just 2 days ago, it self-offloaded nearly all my apps and used up the memory. Yesterday it went back to normal (about 15GB) and I had to re-download my apps. Today, it's back to using 80GB. I'm guessing I need to reset like you did”

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Rid of "System Data":

If removing the apps, and then adding them back equaled out, then it is the apps giving you the issue with their data (their caches).

So, did you try clearing System Data, as I mentioned? How to Clear "Other" in your iPhone's Storage - Use Backup - User Tip. Caches would be being used for remembrance of application use. It is essentially the same for an iPad: Backup your iPad, and then restore your iPad from the backup you've just created. All System Data will delete.

Also looking for help -- that isn't the robotic response that I see in most of these forums. My iPad Pro's system data is consuming the remaining 80GB of 128GB. Just 2 days ago, it self-offloaded nearly all my apps and used up the memory. Yesterday it went back to normal (about 15GB) and I had to re-download my apps. Today, it's back to using 80GB. I'm guessing I need to reset like you did.

I am planning to reset my iPad. I was holding out hope that an explanation of why my iPad is doing this, seeming all of sudden, was available. I have the iPad Pro (2015) edition. Have had it since December 2015. It's been brilliant. I've had hovered at 80-85GB available of 128GB nearly all of those 7 years. Would my apps, after all this time, just take up 80GB? They've never gotten close to that all these years. Seems strange to me.

FunkyBKool Said:

“[…]holding out hope that an explanation of why my iPad is doing this, seeming all of sudden, was available.[…]”

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About this Occurrence:

Unfortunately, there is no way to know why, nor when the System Data increases. The same goes for the Battery Health percentage decrease.

(sorry for the double posting)