iPhone Photo Library "Ghost" Space

My iPhone shows 2.3 GB of data in my photo library but I just cleaned out all my photos? I already synced to iTunes and rebooted the device. I have updated to iOS8.

iPhone 4S, iOS 8

Posted on Sep 25, 2014 7:25 AM

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Posted on Feb 20, 2015 6:05 PM

In TouchCopy, select the Files folder on the left-hand side. Then select DCIM. You may see several sub-folders beginning with 100APPLE, then 101APPLE, 102APPLE, etc. That's where my ghost files were. They appeared to be the very first photos and videos I took after purchasing the phone, since they were numbered 0001, 0002, etc. The videos obviously took up the most space. (My guess is that they got cached there automatically the first time I synced the new phone with iTunes, because I wasn't quick enough to turn off Photo syncing in iTunes. After that first sync, I turned off Photo syncing, and the later photos weren't cached. Instead of photo syncing through iTunes, I use Photo Capture on my MacBook Air to download them with more control.) In the trial version of TouchCopy, I could select all of the files, but the Delete Selection button was grayed out. Once I activated the full version of TouchCopy, the Delete button became available, and I deleted the old files in each of those 10xAPPLE sub-folders. I didn't delete the folders themselves, just the files. After that, eject/disconnect your phone safely. Power off your phone, then power it back on and check your usage/free space.


You must have the full version of TouchCopy to delete the files. Rather than pay $25 for the full version, there's an offer to try another piece of software or service. When you sign up for the other trial (I selected stamps.com), you get an authentication code for TouchCopy. You just have to remember to cancel your trial of the other software or service before you get charged for it. Do so at your own risk.


Hope this works for everyone!

94 replies

Jun 14, 2015 11:27 AM in response to karlitofingers

Your post is nonsensical. The phone has a fixed amount of storage as Lawrence Finch stated. When you initially purchase the phone, you would have no awareness of this particular bug. If someone purchases a 16GB phone, then this particular bug does not change the ultimate storage capacity of that phone.


I suppose you think Apple is forcing you to purchase an iPhone as well, because they have made it the most desirable device on the planet. Good planning, Apple....


GB

Oct 5, 2015 3:59 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

I did not delete anything using any 3rd party app prior to deleting the PhotoData folder. The largest folder in the PhotoData folder had something to do with metadata (I don't remember the exact name). The only action that could have broken something that I remember taking is mass deleting photos (~1000+ photos and videos) and clearing out the recently deleted album.

Dec 4, 2015 1:04 PM in response to pastorjake10

Having the same issue with my daughters iphone5C. ITunes says she has over 400 pictures and she has none. We have never plugged her phone in to a computer cause we don't have one, only use our phones now days, but I brought it to work to reset. I have totally reset her phone and it still says it has all these photos. I only have one back up point from today so I can not go back to a different day. Any other suggestions?



edit... I just downloaded file manager app and it shows no files in her photo album. Also she does not have any other apps on her phone other than what the phone came with cause the ghost photos are taking up all her room and she cant download any apps.

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iPhone Photo Library "Ghost" Space

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