Why is my Other storage so large on my iPhone?

It grows gradually from daily browsing, long iMessage threads, streaming apps, and iCloud sync activity. On a phone that hasn't been fully restarted in months, Other can easily reach 15–25 GB without you placing anything there consciously.

Can I delete Other storage directly on iPhone?

No. Apple doesn't provide a single button to clear it. You reduce it indirectly by clearing app caches, trimming message history, removing streaming downloads, and restarting the phone.

Does a factory reset clear Other storage?

Yes — a full factory reset reduces Other to under 5 GB. But it's a last resort. The steps in this guide typically recover 5–10 GB without erasing anything important.

How do I check what's inside Other storage on my iPhone?

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and tap individual apps. You'll see each app's size split into 'App Size' and 'Documents & Data.' Large Documents & Data entries are usually the biggest contributors to Other storage.

What Is 'Other' Storage on iPhone — and How to Clear It (2026)

What Is 'Other' Storage on iPhone — and How to Clear It (2026)The mysterious 'Other' or System Data category on iPhone can quietly consume 10–20 GB of storage. Here's what causes it and exactly how to shrink it in 2026.