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

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?

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!

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

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 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?

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!

I am also having this problem. The storage for the system according to the phone measurements oscillates between 7.61GB and 8.8GB that it takes up on my phone becky_s22 the community specialist who has responded to this thread said to check itunes, when I did that there was a wild discrepancy between what my computer says the storage of my phone looks like and what my phone says the storage looks like. Why would my phone say I have 1.2 GB free and my computer say 6.27GB???? The system should not take up this much space, and as far as I remember did not until I updated to iOS 11.

I have the same issue with you before, I used my mac for video editing and animation and many junk files taking my storage. I found a good apps that removed all my junk and I got 139 GB free after removing all that junks :') try using dr. cleaner, it is free and there is paid version aswell. it might help you >.>

Yes same with mine and it's almost full of the grey matter. I brought a samsung galaxy Tablet and it's great. The phone seldom gets used now only times like now for convenience. Appalling service and product only 3-4 weeks ago my whole ITunes catalogue of music was wiped out by Apple and yes I got it back after a week🙄🤔 the technician was an obnoxious bully who was very very rude trying to blame me🙉so for a week I was left without music and never was I offered a discount for their mistake.🙈😫

sorry about the delay in reply i just saw this now. Yes i am aware of this however mine has only begun to take up so much room recently and the apps that come with an iphone l thought were not included in your memory. My music is in the cloud not on my phone the same with my photis and books.