Why does the system use more than a half of my storage?

7-8 gigs of system storage is considered normal, if you have a device with "system" showing over 10 gigs, youll need to call apple support, and we'll have to escalate the call to a senior advisor.

I also have this problem. I have done everything recommended to optimize space. I have removed most photos. It's the System files that are eating half the space. Somewhere it was recommended to try a backup and restore via iTunes, but I'm unable to complete the restore because it says I don't have enough space on my MacBook. Similarly, on the MacBook, the System files are eating almost 340 gig of my 500. I've cleaned up everything I can think of... Something is not right here. The problem on the MacBook side is bigger and creating more roadblocks to production, but really they seem like the same thing on a different scale. What's up with this, Apple?

You can delete apps like Tips & home they don’t do anything. I suggest you offload the apps that take up tons of space. As for the system taking up space I’d call Apple.

Use iTunes to check the storage on your iOS device

1. Open iTunes on your computer.
2. Connect your device to your computer.
3. In iTunes, select your device. You'll see a bar that shows how much storage your iOS content uses, divided by content type.
4. Move your mouse over a content type, like Other or Apps, to find more information:
   

Here is a list of the types of content on your iOS device, and what each type includes:

• Audio: Songs, audio podcasts, audiobooks, voice memos, and ringtones
• Video: Movies, music videos, and TV shows
• Photos: Camera Roll content, Photo Stream, and Photo Library
• Apps: Installed apps. The content of the apps is listed under Documents & Data.
• Books: iBooks books, audio books, and PDF files
• Documents & Data: Safari Offline Reading List, files stored within installed apps, and app content like contacts, calendars, messages, and emails (and their attachments)
• Other: Settings, Siri voices, system data, and cached files

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 so you can quickly access it again. iTunes categorizes cached music, videos, and photos as Other instead of actual songs, videos, or photos.

Your iOS device automatically removes cached files and temporary files when your device needs more space.

If storage on an iOS device differs from what you see in iTunes

Since iTunes categorizes cached files as Other, reported usage for Music or Videos might differ. To view usage on your iOS device, go to Settings > General > Usage > Manage Storage.

If you want to delete the cached files from your iOS device

Your iOS device automatically deletes cached files and temporary files when it needs more space. You don't need to delete them yourself.

Let me know if you have any questions.
Have a great day!

Man the SAME thing is happening to me! I came here looking for help, when I found this thread.. It’s been happening for the last few months! I have a 6S with only 16GB, But it shows I am using 15.9GB and I have Deleted Everything from my phone. SYSTEM IS TAKING UP 12.55GB?! ***?!! I have No photos, No music and everytime I delete Apps, Hoping for more space It goes UP!! I have NO PHOTOS Yet my system shows I have 855MBI’m losing my **** mind, and have spent Numerous Hours on this! I’ve been with apple a Long Time, This is Ridiculous! APPLE—S.O.S!

I also have the same problem but my case is even worse as the system has taken up to 80% of my storage which is 47 GB. Anyone can help on this?

As you can see below I also have this problem with my bankbook, and frankly it is ridiculous.... 119GB taken up by system??? Common Apple, This is very disappointing for loyal customers.

I have the same issue 16 g and half is the grey other and the analytical data is horrible my phone is really slow I have had enough and ready to give Iphone the toss.

imperiously over it being ripped off

Not helpful at all Becky, is ridiculous for an iphone to have half of storage used on cached files, wth, that's why Mac never beat PC, my Windows has and always has had used no more than 5% - 10 %for System.

I know this is old but I’m wondering what ever happened with this issue. I’ve had this problem for months now on my iPhone 7plus. I’ve consistently updated iOS (only started for me after 11) and no fix. I spoke to Apple, they escalated it, they finally get back to me and just tell me to update and that should fix it.

Well, I learned that my phone is lying to me storage wise. It would constantly say full, even though I’d have over 10GB free, the other would go from 5GB to 16GB in a matter of minutes. My apps would crash, nothing would work or save, it was a nightmare. So I started assuming when my phone said storage full, even if it didn’t show storage full only the warning, that I’d listen and delete what I could.

I thought that’s just how things would be for the remainder of this phone. I’m not looking forward to no home button so I’m holding on as long as I can. Well, months later here we are, and my phone which has been fine is now back to the same thing. Screenshots aren’t saving. I’m deleting a ton of stuff and stay full. My FB messenger every time I open it starts with the initial setup like I just reinstalled.

Its a nightmare. Nothings working. I even got rid of 495 tabs, which I know could contribute, and nothing. Just as bad. I’m at a loss. I thought I’d it became unbearable I’d just upgrade. But I’m reading this isn’t phone specific. So what gives!!!?

That’s crazy. Have you backed up your iPhone to a computer, done a hard reset to factory settings/ completely wipe all data and then put the backup back on the phone? That’d be my first port of call.

Hello Becky,

I have the exact same problem and it seems that the more space I manage to free up, that space is filled within minutes with more Systems Data. Since Iphone is supposed to automaticaly remove files to free up space, how is that possible???

One quick fix I that worked for me (Iphone 5s) was completely deleting the podcast app. My system storage went from 7.88 GB to 4.2 GB, and curiously enough, I also cleared 7 GB of space. I was subscribed to multiple podcasts but not once did the storage page in settings tell me that the library was taking up so much space!

My phone storage screen looked very similar to "natarave"'s before I deleted the podcasts app.

I think Apple does not communicate well on how ICloud storage affects media usage. For example, when the Iphone Storage page calculates my photo memory, it will alternate between 180 MB and 3.5 GB used.

I am honestly disappointed that an issue so detrimental to user experience is so poorly addressed. Sometimes I can't take photos or download books when I want.

Good luck, Senior Ghiradelli

Hello becky_s22, I seem to be having the same problem as the UnrealGear here, on my iPhone 5s. I had to disconnect my iPhone from iCloud photo library, since it took up all (!!!) the space on my iPhone, even with "save storage on iphone" option ticked, so I left about 3,5 gb of photos on my phone. About 1,5 gb is taken by apps and with no music on my phone this is generally all media I have there. However, I am repeatedly getting "Storage almost full" message.

Below is my storage screen from iPhone settings as compared to one in iTunes on my Mac (it is in Russian but you see the gist).
As obviously seen, iPhone shows that most of the storage is occupied by something unidentified, which is listed as "system" below, taking up 7,54 gb. This thing doesn't seem to be showing up on Mac but is still there. As far as I am concerned, I bought a 16 gb iPhone, not a 9 gb one. What can be done to solve this? Is restoring from backup necessary?
Thanks in advance, natarave

I had this problem in my 16GB ipad. The entire 16GB was used up by the OS. I did a full reset and installed the latest IOS which was 11.4. All is good now and the ios is only using 4.81GB currently although I have noticed it climbing slowly. It really wasn't that hard to do the reset and only took a few minutes to get all my apps and photos back on the device. I didn't do a restore of a backup because I wasn't sure if that would bring the problem with it.

Here's a link to a support page that was helpful.

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

Good luck!