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Iphone Storage full again

Every morning my iPhone declares that its storage is full, except it wan't the night before. Somehow (and this took a while to find out and a lot of needlessly deleted files) the system file is growing by about 20GB overnight. Yes I have switched trickle charging on and off to see if this is the cause but it seems not. After much trial and error the answer is to restart the iPhone not once but twice every morning and then the System files shrinks back down again until tomorrow morning. Any ideas on a simpler solution?

Posted on Aug 10, 2023 11:44 PM

Reply
3 replies

Aug 10, 2023 11:59 PM in response to silpics

Where are you backing up your device? Is it on iCloud? Have you purchased iCloud Storage?


When you get a popup message on your iPhone or iPad that the storage is full.


Look closely into the storage of the iPhone and iCloud.


iCloud storage is primarily for keeping a copy of your iPhone data safely on the cloud. If you delete data on iPhone, data on iCloud is gone too.


Turn iCloud features on or off

  1. On your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
  2. Turn iCloud features on or off.


Turn iCloud features on or off - Apple Support


iPhone Storage (Setting > General > iPhone Storage)

  1. Total storage remains the same throughout the lifespan of the iPhone
  2. Storage can not be enhanced
  3. You may take back up on Mac or PC using iTunes without iCloud


iCloud Storage (Settings > [Tap your name] > iCloud)

  1. By default, every user gets 5GB of free storage space
  2. You can buy more storage based on your requirement of 50, 200GB, and 2TB with a monthly subscription
  3. Based on your storage capacity you can back up your iPhone or iPad
  4. Space can be shared between your family members for a storage plan beyond 200GB



Aug 10, 2023 11:59 PM in response to silpics

silpics wrote:

the system file is growing by about 20GB overnight.

I would ignore that because this system data will make room when you need more space on your iPhone.


On an iPhone, the term "Other System data" refers to a category of storage that includes various types of system-related files and data that don't fit into specific categories like apps, media, or documents. Some of It represents data that is necessary for the functioning of the device but doesn't fall into easily identifiable categories.


"Other System data" can include things such as system files, cache files, logs, system updates, diagnostic data, temporary files, and more. It's a catch-all category that encompasses a wide range of data used by the operating system and built-in apps.


Sometimes, the "Other System data" category can take up a significant amount of storage space on your iPhone, and it's not clear to me what specific files or data it comprises. If you notice that your iPhone's storage is almost full and the "Other System data" is occupying a large portion of it then...




If the above does not resolve the issue then...


You may --> Clear Other storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (IN)



Tap on System Data it will take you to "Other System Data"

Now the question is what is the "Other System Data" storage. Read on...


  • Other System Data: Non-removable mobile assets, like Siri voices, fonts, dictionaries, non-removable logs and caches, Spotlight index, and system data, such as Keychain and CloudKit Database. Cached files can't be deleted by the system.
  • System: Space taken by the operating system. This can vary based on your device and model.


About cached files in "Other System Data"

Finder and iTunes categorize cached music, videos, and photos as Other instead of actual songs, videos, or photos. Cached files are created when you stream or view content like music, videos, and photos. When you stream music or video, that content is stored as cached files on your device so you can quickly access it again.


Your device automatically removes cached files and temporary files when your device needs more space.


If storage on your device differs from what you see in Finder or iTunes

Since Finder and iTunes categorize cached files as Other, reported usage for Music or Videos might differ. To view usage on your device, go to Settings > General > [Device] Storage.


If you want to delete the cached files from your device

Your device automatically deletes cached files and temporary files when it needs more space. You don't need to delete them yourself.

Aug 11, 2023 2:17 AM in response to silpics

Thanks for replying.....So yes it's backed up to a paid iCloud which has plenty of space so I don't see an issue there. The iCloud storage does not grow 20GB a night just the phone. I don't think there is any significance to the number 20 it just fills up all available space, then when it says 'storage full' it demands files be deleted and blames all the other apps when it it seems to be nothing to do with them. It took a while to discover that two resets were needed to force the System data back down again (it simply sheds the 20GB). So there is a workaround although irritating.


This iOS a recent phenomenon, around a month, somewhere in the flurry of recent updates I presume.

Iphone Storage full again

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