"Other" in Settings -> iPad Storage

[PBMB]

Hi,

Could anyone explain how do I get rid of "Other" in Settings -> iPad Storage? This is on iPad mini 4 under iOS 12 with only 16 GB total storage. The "Other" occupies about 40% (!) of the available storage, which is more than 6 GB. About 1.5-2 GB of it is room for documents from applications that the system would classify as "Other", if I understand correctly how iOS 12 works. So, there are at least 4 GB that I can reclaim but I don't see how.

Thanks!

 

[Julien]

Delete the iOS.

Since it is the OS and any files it 'thinks' it needs not much you can do. iMore suggests that clearing caches might help.

https://www.imore.com/how-find-and-remove-other-files-iphone-and-ipad

 

[PBMB]

Since it is the OS and any files it 'thinks' it needs not much you can do. iMore suggests that clearing caches might help.

https://www.imore.com/how-find-and-remove-other-files-iphone-and-ipad

Thanks. I already tried these steps to identify and erase temporary data. There is no much to do in my case. For example, the Safari caches are about 75 MB, really small compared to the 4 GB or so that I am hunting.

Delete the iOS.

I am somewhat worried about that. I have data that I want to preserve. Which means backup. OK, but Apple is rather confusing about what is really saved during an iTunes backup. For example, they say here that My Photo Stream is not saved. What does this mean? That photos and videos are not copied in the computer during the backup process? It is not clear if I can rely on iTunes to restore all the settings, applications and their data.

Have you done this before?

 

[Julien]

Thanks. I already tried these steps to identify and erase temporary data. There is no much to do in my case. For example, the Safari caches are about 75 MB, really small compared to the 4 GB or so that I am hunting.


I am somewhat worried about that. I have data that I want to preserve. Which means backup. OK, but Apple is rather confusing about what is really saved during an iTunes backup. For example, they say here that My Photo Stream is not saved. What does this mean? That photos and videos are not copied in the computer during the backup process? It is not clear if I can rely on iTunes to restore all the settings, applications and their data.

Have you done this before?

No, but if desperate you can setup as new and then restore from the backup. it may or may NOT reduce the Other. If iTunes make sure it is encrypted.