what does the "other" category consist of when syncing iPhone

Other is anything that is not one of the other categories - audio, video, photos.

How much space is Other using? You may be able to reduce.

How Do I Get Rid Of The “Other” Data Stored On My iPad Or iPhone?

http://tinyurl.com/85w6xwn

With an iOS device, the “Other” space in iTunes is used to store things like documents, settings, caches, and a few other important items. If you sync lots of documents to apps like GoodReader, DropCopy, or anything else that reads external files, your storage use can skyrocket. With iOS 5/6, you can see exactly which applications are taking up the most space. Just head to Settings > General > Usage, and tap the button labeled Show All Apps. The storage section will show you the app and how much storage space it is taking up. Tap on the app name to get a description of the additional storage space being used by the app’s documents and data. You can remove the storage-hogging application and all of its data directly from this screen, or manually remove the data by opening the app. Some applications, especially those designed by Apple, will allow you to remove stored data by swiping from left to right on the item to reveal a Delete button.

You posted in the iPad forum instead of the iPhone forum. To get answers to your question, next time post in the proper forum. See https://discussions.apple.com/index.jspa I'll request that Apple relocate your post.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

I have 4 songs, no videos, and no photos, yet "other" is larger than it should be. Any idea on decreasing the size of it? Thanks

What do you think it "should be" and what is it?

It shouldnt be taking up more than half of my storage capacity (8GB), like it currently is.

yes yes yes what is this? spyware? the answer above doesn't solve it or explain what this other is, I want to know how to see what it its and how to clear it, I see how much app mb's and its not that, I have less than 1300 mb for all the other stuff and only 4.81 of free and 7.31 of other,,,,???? I have wiped it and restored it so what is being stored on my phone? w or w\o my putting it there????? HEllo

"Other" data is real data that you put on your phone by using the built in apps. It is not music, not videos, not pictures and not App Store app data. It is "OTHER" meaning everything that does not fall into these categories. Such as:

• email messages and attachments
• Reminders
• Calendar entries
• Contacts
• Text messages
• iMessages
• MMS messages and attachments
• Genius data
• Music cover art
• Music library database index (but not the music itself)
• Operating system settings
• Safari cache
• bookmarks
• Game Center status
• Music catalog

You will find posts from people who said they recovered over 3 GB of space by just deleting old text messages.

If you want Other to be smaller you will have to keep less data on your phone; delete old MMS and texts, delete old email (especially from the "deleted" folder), clear the cache, eliminate cover art.

Sometimes "Other" includes data corruption. If you suspect this is a possibility try connecting to iTunes and click the Restore iPhone button. First restore from backup; the Other doesn't get any smaller you can Restore again and set up as New, then add your content back separately from your backup.

Ok thx, so user added stuff, where is the app to sort this stuff? like omnidisksweeper or the like?

Mahalo

reid