iPhone 11 Storage Issue

I'm currently facing a storage problem with my iPhone 11, and I'm desperately seeking your expertise. Out of my 64GB storage, 62GB has been consumed, i can see that almost half of the storage consumed by iOS and system data. I need guidance on how to address it.


I attempted to free up space by importing my photos to a Windows PC, but unfortunately, it didn't work. Additionally, my efforts to back up the phone using iTunes were unsuccessful. I'm left with no choice but to explore options for deleting system data, but I'm unsure about the best approach.


If anyone has encountered a similar situation or has insights into managing iOS and system data efficiently, please share your expertise. I appreciate any advice.

iPhone 11, iOS 17

Posted on Nov 20, 2023 10:52 AM

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Posted on Nov 20, 2023 12:03 PM

Once you exported the photos to your computer, did you delete them from the iPhone? Including emptying the Deleted folder in Photos? If you don't empty the deleted folder, they will stay there for 30 days.


Also, it looks as if apps are taking up a lot of your space. Go to Settings>General>iPhone Storage and see what apps are taking up so much space. Instagram is a common culprit. You can clear its cache by deleting and re-installing it. I'm just looking at Amazon on my phone and it's taking up huge amounts of space for no reason that I can imagine.


iOS is taking up a bit more space that it seems it ought to. The only way to clear that is to back up the phone and restore it from the back up. I recommend using a computer to do this as the results are better.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 20, 2023 12:03 PM in response to Deepakvema

Once you exported the photos to your computer, did you delete them from the iPhone? Including emptying the Deleted folder in Photos? If you don't empty the deleted folder, they will stay there for 30 days.


Also, it looks as if apps are taking up a lot of your space. Go to Settings>General>iPhone Storage and see what apps are taking up so much space. Instagram is a common culprit. You can clear its cache by deleting and re-installing it. I'm just looking at Amazon on my phone and it's taking up huge amounts of space for no reason that I can imagine.


iOS is taking up a bit more space that it seems it ought to. The only way to clear that is to back up the phone and restore it from the back up. I recommend using a computer to do this as the results are better.

Nov 20, 2023 9:11 PM in response to Deepakvema

Deepakvema Said:

"iPhone 11 Storage Issue: I'm currently facing a storage problem with my iPhone 11, and I'm desperately seeking your expertise. Out of my 64GB storage, 62GB has been consumed, i can see that almost half of the storage consumed by iOS and system data. I need guidance on how to address it.[...]"

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Thank you or the screenshot.


Clearing "System Data":

"System Data" (formerly called "Other") contains caches. Use my user tip to lean how to clear it: How to Clear Space from your Mobile Device, and What to Clear: - User Tip



Troubleshooting iPhone Storage:

Internal storage cannot be upgraded. It is what it is. So, the maximum internal storage capacity never increases, even if you upgraded your iCloud plan. Learn More here: What's the Difference Between Device Storage and iCloud Storage? Apple Support


So, what to do...

Clear Space Using my User Tips:

Nov 20, 2023 11:20 AM in response to Deepakvema

If you are syncing your photos with the iCloud you can download them to your PC from the iCloud, login into your account from the browser, and manage your photos and files. The same for a backup you can backup your iPhone on the iCloud from the iPhone iCloud settings, this will allow you to reset your iPhone as new and control your storage space, and eliminate system data that are not required to run the software of the iPhone

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

Manage your photo and video storage – Apple Support

Nov 21, 2023 6:48 AM in response to Deepakvema

Deepakvema wrote:

I agree with your points. But my concern is why System data is consumed lot of memory. Why do users don’t have access to clear the system data?

For security reasons. If the end user has access, so do people with bad intent.

I didn’t understand why storage is not get free even though i deleted my photos, apps, etc

Have you done what I suggested and backed up your phone then restored it from the back up? That should resolve any corruption that's causing the extra system data.

Nov 20, 2023 8:55 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

I agree with your points. But my concern is why System data is consumed lot of memory. Why do users don’t have access to clear the system data?


If you can see below picture almost 37gb is consumed out of 64gb.


one more observation is when I delete my photos which is 8gb. But still storage didn’t get free i mean storage is same.


I didn’t understand why storage is not get free even though i deleted my photos, apps, etc

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iPhone 11 Storage Issue

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