How To Clear Other Storage on Your iPhone

In this blog, we’ll explain what iPhone’s “Other Storage” (also called System Data) really is, how to view it, and step-by-step methods for iPhone other storage cleanup. By the end, you’ll know practical ways to clean up iPhone storage so your device runs more smoothly and faster.

What is iPhone Other Storage?

Before we understand how to clear storage on your iPhone, it’s important to understand what the “Other” storage includes. Apple categorises files into apps, photos, videos, mail, and media. But not everything fits neatly into these boxes. That’s where Other Storage comes in. It usually contains:

• iPhone cache and temporary files (from Safari, apps, or system updates)

   

• Saved messages and attachments

   

• Voice memos, Siri data, and mail cache

   

• Streaming app cache (third-party apps like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify)

   

In recent iOS updates, Apple renamed it to System Data to make it clearer. However, whether it's labelled as “Other” or “System Data,” it can still consume 5–10GB or even more if left unchecked.

How Can You View iPhone Storage?

Apple allows you to easily check how much space your iPhone has and what’s using it. Here’s how:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.

    

1. Tap General > iPhone Storage.

    

1. At the top, you’ll see a coloured bar chart showing space used by apps, photos, system data, and Other Storage.

    

1. Scroll down to see how much space each app consumes.

    

If you notice that Clear Other Storage iPhone space is unusually high (over 10GB), it’s time to act.

How to Clear Other Storage on iPhone?

Now comes the most important part: iPhone's other storage cleanup. While you can’t delete system files entirely, you can safely remove cache, temporary files, and unnecessary data. Let us look at the best ways:

1. Clear Your Safari Cache

Safari is one of the biggest culprits for large iPhone cache and temporary files. Clearing it can instantly free up space.

• Go to Settings > Safari

   

• Tap Clear History and Website Data

   

• Confirm the action

   

This simple step removes cookies, browsing history, and cached files.

2. Reduce Streaming Cache

Third-party apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify store playback data to enhance the streaming experience. Over time, this adds up in Other Storage.

• Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage

   

• Select a streaming app (e.g., third-party apps like Netflix, Prime Video)

   

• Tap Delete App or Offload App

   

• Reinstall it from the App Store

   

This clears cached videos and music while keeping your login info safe.

3. Delete Old Messages

Text messages and attachments (including photos, videos, and GIFs) can quietly consume gigabytes of storage.

To manage them:

• Go to Settings > Messages > Message History > Keep Messages

   

• Select 30 Days or 1 Year instead of “Forever.”

   

This ensures that our old conversations auto-delete, keeping your iPhone storage cleanup consistent.

4. Reinstall Heavy Apps

Some apps store hidden data you can’t directly clear. The easiest fix is to delete and reinstall them.

• Long-press the app > Remove App > Delete App

   

• Reinstall it from the App Store

   

This works great for social media apps. 

5. Reset Your iPhone (Last Resort)

If your storage is still full, a reset will completely wipe unnecessary system data.

• Back up your iPhone to iCloud or a computer

   

• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone

   

• Tap Erase All Content and Settings

   

After reset, restore your backup. This clears bloated files and gives you a fresh start.

Bonus Tips to Free Up Space on iPhone

• Enable Offload Unused Apps in Settings to auto-delete apps you don’t use.

   

• Store photos/videos in iCloud and delete them locally.

   

• Regularly clear the cache from mail and third-party apps.

   

• Restart your iPhone often, as this clears temporary files.

   

By following these steps, you’ll master how to delete other system data on iPhone and enjoy smoother performance.

Conclusion

The mysterious “Other” or “System Data” may feel like wasted space, but with a little iPhone storage clean-up, you can reclaim your precious storage. From clearing Safari cache to reinstalling apps, these simple steps help make a big difference. If nothing works, a reset or iCloud backup solution is always there.

So, the next time your phone says storage is almost full, you’ll know exactly how to clear storage on your iPhone without stress.