from 12 gb of local storage are 2 gb left being shown as free. The apps listed below amount to roughly 5 gb. Where is the rest? Are the remaining 5 gb used by the os? That seems a lot. Is there a way to get storage back? By resetting or updating?
iPad 2, iOS 7.0.4, iPad mini 2
Hi foo-on-air,
The resource below explains how to view and manage the storage on your iPad. There are a few strategies here to minimize storage including optimizing your photos in iCloud Library so that the originals are stored in the Cloud and not on your device. You could also look at the photo and video attachments that come with your emails and messages. Backup your iPad first, then delete the ones you no longer need. A final option would be to erase the content and settings from your iPad and start fresh with just the factory settings.
iCloud: iCloud storage and backup overview
Check your storage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Use your iOS device to check its storage
Tap Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage > Manage Storage.
You'll see a list of your apps, and how much storage each one uses. Tap an app for more detailed information about its usage.
Depending on the app, you might be able to delete some of its content, or delete the app and all of its content. If your device is almost full, or you get a Storage Almost Full alert, remove some less-used content.
More about cached files in "Other" iOS storage
Cached files are created when streaming or viewing content like music, videos, and photos. When you stream music or video, that content is stored as cached files on your iOS device. iTunes categorizes cached music, videos, and photos as Other instead of actual songs, videos, or photos.
To reduce the size of your Photo library, turn on iCloud Photo Library and optimize your device storage.
Erase all content and settings on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch
Take care,
This still doesn't explain why there is such a huge difference between the space occupied by apps as shown in system settings and the remaining free space.
for example: apps need 5 gb. Ipad has a total of 13 gb. Free 3 gb. Why is that?
Local storage calculation
