How to Clear System Data on iPhone in 5 Simple Ways
Despite deleting hundreds of photos and messages, are you still seeing the same notification of running out of storage? Deleting pictures and messages might be, but clearing iPhone system data isn’t easy. So, how to clear system data on iPhone in no time?
Since its launch by Steve Jobs in 2007, the iPhone has sold at least 190 million of them yearly. And today, there are 1.6 billion iPhone owners.
Introduced as a breakthrough communication device, it is now merely an essential. From Siri making important calls for you to measuring your garden shed’s size – your phone does it all for you. The phone revolution has now got us scratching our heads with storage run-outs.
As a solution, this article covers iPhone storage, how you can perform an iPhone system data sweep, and much more. Keep reading!
Here’s a Quick Skim of the Article
- iPhone system data comprises caches, logs, and temporary files the operating system uses.
- System components include caches, logs, and various data types that accumulate and consume storage.
- High system data storage results from cached streaming content, system files, and temporary data, which can be removed by clearing iPhone system data.
- Check system data in Settings > General > iPhone Storage under “System Data.”
- Clear system data by deleting software updates, turning off iCloud Photos sync, clearing browser cache, resetting with backup or force restarting.
- By performing an iPhone system data sweep, you save up storage and boost the phone’s performance.
- iProVPN enhances online privacy and complements storage management on your iPhone.
What We Will Be Covering
- What Is System Data on iPhone?
- What Are the System Components of an iPhone?
- Why Is My iPhone System Data Storage So High?
- How Do I See System Data on My iPhone?
- How to Clear System Data on iPhone to keep your iPhone secure from High-Resque thieves. – The Top 5 Ways
What Is System Data on iPhone?
System data consists of various components, including caches, logs, and other resources the system actively utilizes. While Apple doesn’t go into specifics, this data typically consists of temporary files and other stuff that don’t neatly fit within an app’s storage.
Apple also implies that this data can change depending on the system’s demands, meaning that your iPhone should eliminate unnecessary system data. Safari, for example, is identified as an application, but your browsing history within Safari is not classified as app-specific data. Instead, it is recorded as a cache file and placed in the system data folder.
The same logic applies to content downloaded for offline use in streaming apps. The “Apps” column of the storage bar reflects the actual size of the programs, whereas “System Data” includes all temporary files and random data that don’t fall into other specified categories. Let’s learn about the system components of an iPhone when reading about performing an iPhone system data sweep or while clearing iPhone system data.
What Are the System Components of an iPhone?
There are 3 system components of an iPhone:
- Cache
- Logs
- Other data
1. Cache
Caches are temporary files used to improve the speed and performance of programs and websites. They include a wide variety of data, including browser settings, offline content, location-related information, operating system files, and even background app updates.
As you use more apps and visit more websites, these cache files amass quickly, taking up a significant amount of storage space on your device.
2. Logs
In the form of logs, your devices keep track of system activity. These events can include actions such as device restarts, app downloads, and setting changes. These logs are extremely useful for troubleshooting problems with your device.
They can, however, amass and occupy a significant amount of storage space. Unfortunately, you cannot delete them while clearing iPhone system data until you conduct a factory reset.
3. Other Data
Other sorts of data classified as “System Data” include:
- Downloaded fonts
- Voice recordings
- Attachments
- Languages used for offline translation
Why Is My iPhone System Data Storage So High?
In 2023, the iPhone ranks second in the smartphone market with a 21% share. These phones are branded for their top-class data privacy and security – making them stand as the leading vendor in Q1 2023. Yet, the consumers keep wondering what makes their iPhone system storage so high.
Here’s what counts:
1. Streaming Sites and Other Cache
To ensure uninterrupted playback, iOS saves cached versions of frequently streaming material, which can significantly occupy your device’s storage. On the other hand, cache involves saved website login information, autofill website addresses, and pre-loaded websites intended to speed up browsing.
2. iPhone System Files
This category includes iOS items that don’t come from a specific app. They are not solely associated with a single program or the primary operating system.
3. Temporary System Files
On the iPhone, temporary data can be saved as System Data and will be removed when iOS no longer requires it.
How Do I See System Data on My iPhone?
Initially, System Data on your iPhone or iPad can occupy several GBs of space, and its size can change over time based on your device usage. The issue arises when users unexpectedly discover that their iPhone’s storage is overwhelmed by System Data.
To avoid this situation and monitor your storage usage effectively, iOS provides a convenient feature that categorizes and displays the storage consumption of various categories, such as:
- Apps
- Photos
- Media
- iOS
- System Data
Here’s how to check the system data on your iPhone:
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Search General and open it. Scroll down and go to iPhone Storage.
- You can see a light grey bar; it’s the storage.
- A light gray bar mentions “System data for iOS 15 and other Storage for iOS 14 and earlier.”
How to Clear System Data on iPhone – The Top 5 Ways
There are 5 different ways to clear system data on iPhone. Here’s how:
Method 1: Delete Software Updates
Previously, a primary issue with iPhones has been limited storage capacities. Initial models – known as the revolutionary internet communication devices – ranged from 32GB to 64 GB. And it left almost no space for software updates. Although the newer versions, such as iPhone 14, come with a least storage of 128 GB, for the latest iPhone users, this might be the problem.
For the previous iPhone version users, here’s how to delete software updates to save storage space:
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Select “General.”
- Choose “iPhone Storage.”
- Wait for the iPhone Storage page to load and display the information.
- Below the Recommendations section, scroll down through the list of options.
- Find the one that is labeled “Software Update.”
- Select the “Delete Update” button.
Method 2: Turn Off Sync for iCloud Photos
iCloud photos is primarily regarded as the most effective solution for synchronizing the photographs and movies on your iPhone across all of your Apple devices. Despite being a cloud-based storage option, iCloud can occasionally eat excessive storage space on your device.
To free up space on storage systems, here’s how you can turn off iCloud photos:
- Access the Settings app and select [Your Name] on the screen’s top.
- Choose “iCloud.”
- In the “Apps Using iCloud” section, open “Photos.”
- Toggle off the “Sync this iPhone” to turn off Cloud syncs for photos.
Method 3: Clear Browser Cookies and Cache
Cache can take considerable space in your phone’s storage, even if you’re using Safari and not Chrome. As previously mentioned, all iPhones have three components – cache being one of them.
Here’s how you can clear browser cache and cookies:
- Navigate to Settings > General.
- Choose iPhone Storage.
- Scroll down to find Safari in the list of apps.
- Select Website Data by tapping Get Rid of All Website Data.
Method 4: Keep a Backup of All Files and Reset the Device
Before continuing for a device reset, you should have a solid backup; not all data is worth losing. The backup should include your essential files, installed apps, and other documents.
For saving some storage space, here’s how to do an iPhone reset:
- Open Settings. Tap where your name’s displayed.
- Go to iCloud.
- Tap iCloud backup>Back Up Now.
Once done, proceed with:
- Go to the phone’s Settings.
- Navigate and open General.
- Scroll down and open Transfer and Reset iPhone.
- Select Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter the Passcode if required.
Method 5: Continue with a Force Restart
Restart your phone if your phone lags, here’s how you can do that:
- Push and let go of the Volume Up button.
- Push and let go of the Volume Down button.
- Keep your finger on the Side button for 10-15 seconds until your iPhone restarts.
Wrapping Up
By the end of this article, you must know how to perform an iPhone system data sweep. Majorly, iPhones are known for their security, but to elevate your online privacy and data protection, it’s recommended to use a reliable iPhone VPN, like iProVPN. It ensures an ultimate browsing experience with its automatic Adblocker and many other cutting-edge features.
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FAQs
- What is system data on iPhone storage?
On an iPhone, system data includes a variety of resources such as logs, caches, and other items currently in use by the operating system. It often consists of temporary files and other things that need to fit under the core storage of an app.
- How do I clear system file storage on my iPhone?
You can clear system file storage by resetting your iPhone. Here’s how you can reset the device:
- Go to the Settings.
- Navigate to the General section.
- Scroll down and select Reset iPhone.
- Choose Erase All Content and Settings.
- Tap Continue and continue with on-screen instructions.
- How to delete system data on iPhone without resetting?
You can delete system data by deleting software updates, clearing browser caches, pause files, and photo syncs to iCloud.
