Free up storage and system data from iPhone running iOS 26.0.1

Already tried with backup+restore both via iCloud and via local MacBook backup.

After restoring the system data goes back to “normal” but then it gets back to increasing 2-3gb/day…

after 2 weeks from the restore I am back to 60gb system data.

this morning I just tried disabling Apple Intelligence and after 10-15min system data went from 60gb to 1.07gb!!!

Let’s see how it behaves in the next days.

I don’t think I’m going to miss AI in the meanwhile…

The easiest way is to update using your computer; it is a workaround for the large system data.

System data is data used by default installed apps, and it will clean up itself as space is needed in System Data, but that will not shrink it. The way to reduce the size of System Data to back up your iPhone to iCloud or your computer (or both for extra security), then restore that backup:

1. How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
2. Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support

I did Backup+restore with my MacBook but the iPhone started eating again 2-3gb/day for system data and after 2 weeks they were using 60gb and filling my iPhone space.

this morning I tried disabling Apple Intelligence and after 10-15min the system data web from 60.5gb to 1.07gb!!

and they aren’t increasing since then.

let’s see in the next days, in the meantime I don’t think I’m going to miss AI…

francorg wrote:

It doesn't solve the problem on my iPhone 17 Pro unfortunately... let's hope in iOS 26.0.2...

it is the only way to reduce System Other data. You must have other data issues as it always works.

It doesn't solve the problem on my iPhone 17 Pro unfortunately... let's hope in iOS 26.0.2...

francorg wrote:

It doesn't solve the problem on my iPhone 17 Pro unfortunately... let's hope in iOS 26.0.2...

It isn’t a problem related to the version, so no update of iOS will ever fix it.