What is "Other" Storage on iPhone & How to Clear It (2026)

Published on February 5, 2026 • 7 min read

You check your iPhone storage and see a massive chunk labeled "Other" (now called "System Data" in newer iOS versions). What is Other storage on iPhone? And more importantly, how do you get rid of it? This guide explains everything.

What is "Other" Storage on iPhone?

The "Other" or "System Data" category includes files that don't fit into standard categories like Photos, Apps, or Media:

• Safari cache and website data
• Mail cache and attachments
• Siri voices and language data
• System logs and crash reports
• Font files
• Keychain data
• CloudKit databases
• Spotlight search index
• App caches and temporary files
• Offline content from streaming apps

How to Check Other/System Data Storage

1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
2. Wait for the bar graph to load completely
3. Look for "System Data" or scroll to the bottom

It's normal for System Data to be 5-15 GB. If it's 20+ GB, there's likely a problem.

6 Ways to Clear Other/System Data Storage

1. Clear Safari Cache

Safari data is a major component of Other storage:

1. Go to Settings > Safari
2. Tap Clear History and Website Data
3. Also tap Advanced > Website Data > Remove All Website Data

2. Delete and Reinstall Large Apps

App caches contribute to Other storage. The biggest culprits:

• Social media apps (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)
• Streaming apps (Netflix, Spotify, YouTube)
• Messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram)

Delete these apps and reinstall them fresh.

3. Clear Message Attachments

1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
2. Tap Messages
3. Review Top Conversations and delete old ones
4. Or set messages to auto-delete: Settings > Messages > Keep Messages > 30 Days

The Easiest Way to Free Up Space

While you can't directly delete "Other" storage, you can free up space by removing duplicates, backing up photos to cloud, and cleaning social media junk with SwipeCloud.

4. Remove Offline Content

Downloaded content for offline use is categorized as Other:

• Apple Music: Settings > Music > Downloaded Music > Edit
• Podcasts: Delete downloaded episodes
• Netflix/Disney+: Delete downloaded shows
• Apple TV: Delete downloaded movies

5. Restart Your iPhone

A restart clears temporary caches that contribute to Other:

1. Hold Side Button + Volume Down
2. Slide to power off
3. Wait 30 seconds
4. Turn back on

Check storage again - you may see a reduction.

6. Backup and Restore (Nuclear Option)

If Other storage is extremely large (30+ GB), a full reset may be needed:

1. Backup to iCloud: Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup
2. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone
3. Tap Erase All Content and Settings
4. Set up your iPhone and restore from backup

This typically reduces Other storage significantly.

Why Does Other Storage Keep Growing?

Several factors cause Other storage to grow over time:

• Heavy Safari browsing accumulates cache
• Streaming apps buffer content
• iCloud sync issues create temporary files
• Bug in iOS (updates usually fix this)
• Large email attachments

How to Prevent Other Storage Buildup

• Clear Safari data monthly
• Periodically reinstall heavy apps
• Keep iOS updated
• Restart your iPhone weekly
• Back up photos to cloud and delete from device
• Use SwipeCloud to regularly clean up photos and duplicates

Conclusion

Other storage on iPhone is a catch-all category for caches, system files, and temporary data. While you can't delete it directly, following the steps above can significantly reduce it. The most effective methods are clearing Safari data, reinstalling large apps, and doing a backup/restore if the problem is severe.

Want to free up more space? Download SwipeCloud free to backup photos and clean up your iPhone storage!