how to determine what is taking up space in memory

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how to determine what is taking up space in memory

Hi guys,

My wife and I are new to the iPhone world. Better late than never. We recently acquired two refurbished 8GB iPhone 4's through Straight Talk wireless, iOS 6.1.2. With an 8GB hard drive (or memory capacity, however, you put it), right off the bat it says only 6.4GB are available. I understand the OS generally takes 1-1.5GB on phones. No problem. But now all total it says I only have 2.92 free. I only have a handful of apps/games, 5 ringtones, a handful of photos, no videos, and no iTunes library synced with it. When I plug into iTunes, here is the breakdown it gives me:

Capacity: 6.35GB

Usage:

1.2MB - 5 songs

49.3MB - 33 photos

814.8MB - apps

2.59GB - "other"

2.92GB - free

Is there any to find out what that "2.59 - other" consists of? That seems like an awful lot of space wasted on nothing. I'm assuming it's not the OS, if it's an 8GB phone and it already says 6.35GB capacity. I'm guessing that missing 1.65GB is the OS/Straight Talk software.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

iPhone 4, iOS 6.1.2

Posted on Sep 29, 2013 1:14 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 29, 2013 1:19 PM in response to jacoby75

Launch the Settings app
Choose the General tab
Finally, choose the About tab and scroll until you see the Available option.

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Answer 2

jacoby75 Author

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Sep 29, 2013 1:23 PM in response to CodyBurgess

Thanks Cody. I did that. It shows that I have 2.9 available, as the iTunes breakdown showed. But there's no way I've used up 5GB of memory with what I've installed on the phone. That "2.59 other" in the breakdown is what's bothering me. I have no idea what that could be, and nothing on the phone tells me.

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Answer 3

Sep 29, 2013 1:33 PM in response to jacoby75

If Other makes up an overwhelming amount of iPhone storage, then there may be an issue with corrupted data. If you've tried deleting all of our suggestions and there is still lots of Other storage, then consider restoring your iPhone.
Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes, have backed up the device, and have synced content with your computer. Connect the iPhone to your computer, and in the Summary tab, click on Restore iPhone. This returns the iPhone back to factory settings.

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Answer 4

AnaMusic

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57,562 points

Sep 29, 2013 1:35 PM in response to jacoby75

jacoby75 wrote:

... "2.59 other" i...

Other is usually around 1 GB...

A ' Large Other ' usually indicates Corrupt Data...

First Try a Restore from Backup...

But... if the Large Other Persists, that is an Indicator of Corrupt Data in the Backup...

Then a Restore as New is the way to go...

Details Here > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414

More Info about ‘Other’ in this Discussion

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4414445?answerId=19958116022#19958116022

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Answer 5

Sep 29, 2013 1:42 PM in response to jacoby75

It may not be a finicial option, but you could upgrade to more storage on icloud or other and save all photos and videos there. that would free up alot of space too.

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Answer 6

jacoby75 Author

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Sep 29, 2013 4:13 PM in response to jacoby75

Thanks, guys. I tried a "restore from backup," but the same large "other" was there. I'm trying a restore as new now, and installing iOS7 now, even though I didn't really want to go to iOS7. I have an iPhone for work with iOS7 on it and don't really like it. It's so cartooney and goofey looking. Oh well. We'll see if it at least solves the problem. Thanks!

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Answer 7

jacoby75 Author

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Sep 29, 2013 4:47 PM in response to jacoby75

So I did the reboot with iOS7, and it definitely gave me more space. Now the total is 6.19GB (smaller than with iOS6, I guessing because of the iOS upgrade. And I have 5.63GB free, with no apps installed yet. The "other" is only 555.6MB. We'll see what happens when I start throwing my old apps back on there.

Thanks again.

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Answer 8

jacoby75 Author

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Sep 29, 2013 4:55 PM in response to jacoby75

Is there any chance with a refurbished phone they can skimp on the storage space, or procesor speed? iOS7 does seem to be a bit laggy, as others have commented. But I also wonder sometimes if they somehow jipped me and underclocked the processor or jipped us on total storage space. Is there any way to verify what processor you have in your phone? I don't see it under settings.

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Answer 9

AnaMusic

Level 9

57,562 points

Sep 29, 2013 4:58 PM in response to jacoby75

jacoby75 wrote:

Is there any chance with a refurbished phone they can skimp on the storage space, or procesor speed? ...

No.

jacoby75 wrote:

iOS7 does seem to be a bit laggy,

Try a Reset...

Reset ( No Data will be Lost )

Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time for at least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears. Release the Buttons.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1430

and...

Reset all settings

Settings > General > Reset > Reset all Settings.

This will return all iDevice settings to factory defaults... you will not lose any data.... But you will have to re-enter all of the device settings

If no joy...

1) Connect to iTunes on the computer you usually Sync with and Restore

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414

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Answer 10

jacoby75 Author

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Sep 29, 2013 5:20 PM in response to jacoby75

Thanks! You guys are great. It's nice to have some support out there from some experienced folks to help all of us apple newbies out. I appreciate it.

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Answer 11

AnaMusic

Level 9

57,562 points

Sep 29, 2013 5:27 PM in response to jacoby75

jacoby75 wrote:

Thanks!

You're Welcome 🙂 Enjoy

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