Orphaned Memory?

[gedstrom]

My Windows iTunes says that there is 92.3GB available on my iPad, while the iPad only says it has 67.5 available. In addition, adding up the usage of all of the apps as listed under "Manage Storage", I come up 25.4GB short of the "Used" figure. Is there any way short of resetting my iPad to its virgin state to regain this memory? I DO NOT have the same problem with my iPod Touch...Both figures match.

 

[giradman]

My Windows iTunes says that there is 92.3GB available on my iPad, while the iPad only says it has 67.5 available. In addition, adding up the usage of all of the apps as listed under "Manage Storage", I come up 25.4GB short of the "Used" figure. Is there any way short of resetting my iPad to its virgin state to regain this memory? I DO NOT have the same problem with my iPod Touch...Both figures match.

Hello - well there is usually some 'small' discrepancy - one minor factor is how the iOS vs. another OS (such as OS X) determines 'storage capacity', i.e. whether the GB is calculated using base 2 vs. base 10 - some information HERE.

BUT, a 25GB difference is certainly not right - if not already done, I would first suggest a 'Reset' of the iPad (hold both the ON-OFF & HOME buttons until the Apple logo appears, release and let the device reboot - then recheck the storage on the iPad and through iTunes) - please post your results back here; also when in iTunes, tell us after the Reset, how much of your iPad's storage is in the 'Other' category? Dave

 

[scifan57]

If the amount of storage listed in "other" is excessive, the best way to fix the problem is to back up your iPad to iTunes, then restore your iPad and set it up from the backup you made.

 

[gedstrom]

Hello - well there is usually some 'small' discrepancy - one minor factor is how the iOS vs. another OS (such as OS X) determines 'storage capacity', i.e. whether the GB is calculated using base 2 vs. base 10 - some information HERE.

BUT, a 25GB difference is certainly not right - if not already done, I would first suggest a 'Reset' of the iPad (hold both the ON-OFF & HOME buttons until the Apple logo appears, release and let the device reboot - then recheck the storage on the iPad and through iTunes) - please post your results back here; also when in iTunes, tell us after the Reset, how much of your iPad's storage is in the 'Other' category? Dave

Ok, the "Hard Reset" did not have any effect on the numbers.

Here is what Windows iTunes is reporting:

Apps : 18.15GB
Other : 2.3GB
Docs & Data: 1.48GB
Audio : 22.8MB
Books : 284KB

Free: 92.37GB

Here is what the iPad is reporting:

Used: 46.4GB
Available: 67.5GB

 

[giradman]

Ok, the "Hard Reset" did not have any effect on the numbers.

Here is what Windows iTunes is reporting:

Apps : 18.15GB
Other : 2.3GB
Docs & Data: 1.48GB
Audio : 22.8MB
Books : 284KB

Free: 92.37GB

Here is what the iPad is reporting:

Used: 46.4GB
Available: 67.5GB

Hi again - well, I'm running out of 'simple' ideas - make sure that you did the 'Reset' correctly. You can also go into Settings and look at your storage management (see my screen capture below - WOW - not sure why Spotify is taking up that much space - need to check, sorry ) - is there any listing there that might be an explanation?

If not, then as Scifan.. suggested, you might need to 'restore' your iPad - there are a number of options, but take a look at this Apple Support Article - this is obviously a drastic step and a proper backup (to your computer and/or iCloud) is needed - read the article and pose questions back to this thread if you need further advice or encouragement. Dave
.

 

[gedstrom]

Hi again - well, I'm running out of 'simple' ideas - make sure that you did the 'Reset' correctly. You can also go into Settings and look at your storage management (see my screen capture below - WOW - not sure why Spotify is taking up that much space - need to check, sorry ) - is there any listing there that might be an explanation?

If not, then as Scifan.. suggested, you might need to 'restore' your iPad - there are a number of options, but take a look at this Apple Support Article - this is obviously a drastic step and a proper backup (to your computer and/or iCloud) is needed - read the article and pose questions back to this thread if you need further advice or encouragement. Dave
.
View attachment 68785

Problem Solved!!!

But it took the brute force approach. I took the iPad down to the Genius Bar at my local Apple Store. He agreed that there was a HUGE discrepancy in free memory being reported, but he couldn't offer any other advice other than brute force.

So, when I got back home, I made sure I had a current backup and then did the master clear of the iPad back to its virgin state. The long restore process then started. 3 hours later, the restore had completed and my free memory issue has gone away. So far, it appears that the ONLY thing not restored were my Kindle books, which I am now re-downloading from Amazon.

I imagine that the problem was probably caused by a sync or backup operation that was not completed normally.

It makes me wonder why Apple doesn't have an app similar to Windows Chkdsk program that can find and restore lost disk clusters. There are other apps that I wish were available for the iPad, but I would put an app like this at the top of the list.

Thanks for all the advice anyway!

Gary Edstrom

 

[scifan57]

I figured that that's what it would take to fix the problem, which is why I recommended it in my last post. I'm glad it worked and your problem is solved.

 

[giradman]

Hi Gary - congrats on solving your issue! I believe we were all headed in that direction, i.e. suggesting a restoration from a backup - glad that it worked for you. Dave