User level: Level 1 (15 points)My husband died last year, his iPad is quite old but I've been updating it to os26 but it hasn't enough space to update to the latest os. I've checked the space and most is being used by photos. I started deleting the photos after saving them to a Seagate. It made very little difference as it appears to be data that is stored in Photos. It is using 246.06gb of 256gb in 'photos & data' can I remove this data, how would I do that? Thank you.
[Edited by Moderator]
Posted on Oct 12, 2026 12:32 PM
User level: Level 10 (244,490 points)Oct 12, 2026 6:30 PM in response to gwenda80
When you delete photos they are moved to the Recently Deleted folder, where they remain for a month. To completely remove them open the Deleted folder and delete them from there.
User level: Level 1 (15 points)Oct 13, 2026 11:42 AM in response to Lawrence Finch
Thank you, but I don't have any photos in Photos now I've deleted them all and the deleted folder has been deleted too. I'm really trying to find out how I can see the Documents and Data (200GBs) that are held within the Photos app on the iPad. If I can see them individually I can remove them if not needed. I have no idea what these are and could delete the whole app but possibly the iPad will loose it's access to websites and passwords. The iPad is an iPad Air3 (3rd generation) iPadOS Version 18.7.8. Any suggestions most welcome thank you.
User level: Level 1 (15 points)Oct 19, 2026 8:53 AM in response to LotusPilot
Today I've managed a complete back up from the iPad to my MacBookPro using the Apple cable that arrived this afternoon USB-C to Lightning. It worked well. As it's getting late, tomorrow is the day I will fully reset the iPad, fingers crossed and thank you.
User level: Level 1 (15 points)Oct 14, 2026 1:44 PM in response to sberman
Thank you
User level: Level 10 (334,506 points)Oct 12, 2026 3:29 PM in response to gwenda80
It is generally recommended that you maintain at least 4-6GB of free space at all times - as your iPad needs some temporary space to complete many tasks. When performing system software updates, you may temporarily require more...
A system software update requires sufficient space to be downloaded, unpacked and verified prior to installation - major version updates (such as updating from iPadOS 18.x to iPadOS 26) requiring considerably more space than an incremental point-update. The required space, to perform an OTA update, is typically double the stated space for the installed update; after the update is successfully completed, temporary files are automatically deleted - returning free space.
If your internal storage is full, or is insufficient for the task that you need to perform, your only option is to better manage the storage that you have - and delete unused Apps or unneeded data.
These support pages should prove to be helpful:
About storage on your device and in iCloud – Apple Support
What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? – Apple Support
Manage your iCloud storage – Apple Support
How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch – Apple Support
Clear Other storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
“Offloading” Apps can be a helpful method of creating temporary space for a software update:
https://9to5mac.com/2020/01/21/how-to-offload-apps-in-ios-to-save-space-without-deleting-their-data/
Additional information about creating sufficient space for installation of a software update can be found here:
If you need more space for an update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
External storage options can often help with managing limited internal storage. Depending upon your iPad model, the iPad will either have a Lightning or USB-C port - and may therefore require either an Adapter or USB hub to connect the USB Storage device. If your iPad has a Lightning port, you’ll need an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter:
https://store.apple.com/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A
Using a Mac computer or Windows PC can help with system software updates - as the update package is initially downloaded to the computer, unpacked and verified by the computer, prior to the computer installing the updated system software on the target device.
As is, perhaps a workable remedy is to ensure that you have either an iCloud or iTunes backup of your iPad - and then completely erase the iPad. With no user-data present, you should be able to update the iPad; once updated, you can restore your backup to the iPad.
How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
Erase all content and settings:
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content & Settings
After the reset, set-up the iPad with your AppleID - but do not restore the backup. Perform the system software update using whichever method works for you.
Finally, restore the backup to your iPad:
User level: Level 10 (334,506 points)Oct 13, 2026 5:00 AM in response to gwenda80
Please see my previous reply to this thread, of 12th October, that fully describes the available methods to resolve your current difficulty with clearing persistent temporary data and successfully perform the desired system software update.
As previously outlined, if all else fails, a workable remedy is to ensure that you have either an iCloud or iTunes backup of your iPad - and then completely erase the iPad. With no user-data present, you should be able to update the iPad; once updated, you can restore your backup to the iPad.
How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
Erase all content and settings:
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content & Settings
After the reset, set-up the iPad with your AppleID - but do not restore the backup. Perform the system software update using whichever method works for you.
Finally, restore the backup to your iPad:
Restore all content to iPad from a backup - Apple Support
The iPad will now be running the most recent supported version of iPadOS. All locally stored data will have been restored to the iPad.
User level: Level 10 (334,506 points)Oct 14, 2026 6:36 AM in response to gwenda80
gwenda80 wrote:
Thank you for your responses. The iPad is an iPad Air3 (3rd generation) iPadOS Version 18.7.8
I tried to back up my photos to the iCloud but it said I only had about 5GB and the Photos is 200GB which is made up of Documents and Data. I have no idea what these Documents and Data are, there appears to be no way to access them, therefore no way if they are important to the working of the iPad itself. From what I understand the newer iPads have a separate folder for Documents and Data so possibly these can actually be accessed and deleted once you know they are no longer used. The iPad holds passwords to various websites my husband has, I have been able to change his subscriptions to my name and my credit card. My concern is if I were able to remove this data would all these automatic payments be removed as the accounts are still in his name. It has been suggested deleting the Photos App then downloading the App to rid it of the Documents and Data - I'm too chicken to do that without knowing what they are for! Not sure what I can do next, any suggestions would be gratefully received, thank you.
Sorry, but recent models of iPad do not have a "separate folder for Documents and Data". This basic iPadOS sandboxed system architecture is consistent between iPad models. Hopefully any account credentials are already stored within the native iPadOS Passwords App/keychain.
Having already discarded/deleted all locally stored photos, the indicated 200GB data is (and will remain) inaccessible and unrecoverable. This orphaned data is serving no useful purpose whatsoever - and already being unrecoverable, can be safely eliminated from the iPad without impacting any data that can be accessed.
Having ensured that you have a current iCloud or iTunes backup of the iPad, the iPad can be safely and fully reset - this process removing any orphaned data from the device. After the reset, you then restore the backup to the iPad. All accessible data will have been restored.
At some point, you must either take a step forwards - or abandon the process to cleanse and update the iPad entirely. As outlined in my initial reply, you may be able to update the iPad using either a Windows PC or Mac computer without erasing and restoring the iPad.
If you don't have access to a suitable computer (or a friend or accommodating neighbour that does), you can use the final method that I have already outlined. If you have a iCloud backup (as recommended many times), after the iPad has been erased and updated using nothing more than the iPad itself, you can restore the iCloud backup to the iPad.
User level: Level 1 (15 points)Oct 13, 2026 10:46 AM in response to LotusPilot
Thank you for your responses. The iPad is an iPad Air3 (3rd generation) iPadOS Version 18.7.8
I tried to back up my photos to the iCloud but it said I only had about 5GB and the Photos is 200GB which is made up of Documents and Data. I have no idea what these Documents and Data are, there appears to be no way to access them, therefore no way if they are important to the working of the iPad itself. From what I understand the newer iPads have a separate folder for Documents and Data so possibly these can actually be accessed and deleted once you know they are no longer used. The iPad holds passwords to various websites my husband has, I have been able to change his subscriptions to my name and my credit card. My concern is if I were able to remove this data would all these automatic payments be removed as the accounts are still in his name. It has been suggested deleting the Photos App then downloading the App to rid it of the Documents and Data - I'm too chicken to do that without knowing what they are for! Not sure what I can do next, any suggestions would be gratefully received, thank you.
User level: Level 1 (15 points)Oct 14, 2026 4:42 AM in response to sberman
Sorry I didn't respond to you. The folder Photos now has no photos in it now, just the Documents and Data. If I delete the Potos App then later reinstall it after updating the iPad I should loose all the 200 GBs of Documents and Data that are held in it. My fear is these Documents and Data are probably needed to access the various sites my husband used, and all the passwords needed so I can continue to pay the subscriptions to various sites my husband has used and I still use. Through the iPad I have been able to change the payments to my name and credit card. One of these sites in the Netherlands that I managed to talk to suggested I just update the card payment but leave the rest in my husband's name, this site monitors and stores my camera door bell. I am in the UK and not the USA. The iPad is an iPad Air3 (3rd generation) iPadOS Version 18.7.8. If you have any suggestions as to how I can view the Documents and Data I would be very grateful, thank you. I would like to be able to see the various documents and data an be able to delete any that are no longer essential to the iPad working or linked to sites I wish to keep open. Again thank you and sorry I didn't respond to you quicker.
User level: Level 1 (15 points)Oct 14, 2026 12:27 PM in response to LotusPilot
Thank you, quite a bit to think about.
I haven't used the iCloud as a backup as there is insufficient allowance unless I purchase more.
Husband worked with computers since the 60's, I only needed to operate a keyboard! I use a 4 TB Seagate to back up our iMac and a 1 TB Seagate to back up my MacBook. He set up our own Cloud for our photos & videos with two Synology units, he told me it backs itself up.
I think I will ask my son if he can look into what to do next by following your advice, so thank you very much for all your help.
User level: Level 10 (244,490 points)Oct 13, 2026 11:21 AM in response to gwenda80
You can “rent” additional iCloud space. 99¢ a month for 50 GB, $2.99 a month for 200 GB, and more capacities up to 2 TB. And you can get cancel it after you no longer need it.
Another option: Install the Google Photos or Amazon Photos app and sync your photos to it.
User level: Level 10 (334,506 points)Oct 14, 2026 2:50 PM in response to gwenda80
gwenda80 wrote:
Thank you, quite a bit to think about.
I haven't used the iCloud as a backup as there is insufficient allowance unless I purchase more.
Husband worked with computers since the 60's, I only needed to operate a keyboard! I use a 4 TB Seagate to back up our iMac and a 1 TB Seagate to back up my MacBook. He set up our own Cloud for our photos & videos with two Synology units, he told me it backs itself up.
I think I will ask my son if he can look into what to do next by following your advice, so thank you very much for all your help.
Subscribing to the 50GB iCloud+ plan for a month will cost you less than half-a-cup of coffee in a high street coffee shop (99p) - and the plan can be cancelled at any time.
As such, your commitment can be as short as a single month if you so choose - enough to fix your issue. As such you can subscribe one day - and cancel at any time during that month - and have benefit of the additional iCloud storage for the entire month.
User level: Level 10 (280,982 points)Oct 12, 2026 12:40 PM in response to gwenda80
One way is as follows:
Tap and hold the Photos app icon on the iPad. Then tap Options > Remove App. Follow the steps to completely remove the app. Then re-download and install the Photos app from the AppStore.
If you’re in the U.S., this link will get you there.
User level: Level 1 (15 points)Oct 13, 2026 1:56 PM in response to Lawrence Finch
Thank you, I have removed all my photos and deleted the 'recently deleted folder'. The iPad is still showing that there are over 200GBs of Documents and Data in Photos, I don't see how to get rid of this large amount of Data/Documents or even know what these are, can you help and suggest what I can do? Thank you I have attached a screenshot showing all the pictures have gone but still show the large amount still held in photos.
[Edited by Moderator]
User level: Level 10 (280,982 points)Oct 14, 2026 11:30 AM in response to gwenda80
gwenda80 wrote:
If you have any suggestions as to how I can view the Documents and Data I would be very grateful, thank you.
The point is deleting and reinstalling the Photos app deletes only documents and data associated with the Photos app.
User level: Level 10 (280,982 points)Oct 14, 2026 1:02 PM in response to gwenda80
gwenda80 wrote:
you said it works in the USA so I hope it will work in the UK.
The only difference should be the link I supplied to the Photos app in the App Store won’t work in the UK. Simply search the App Store for “Photos” and be certain you get Apple’s (and not someone else’s) Photos app to download.
Good luck.
User level: Level 1 (15 points)Oct 16, 2026 6:53 AM in response to LotusPilot
I've just found a lightening to USB camera adapter you mentioned earlier. Possibly my husband used it to download to the Synology, will need to spend some time checking that out. Probably just his pictures, but might have been a complete back up of the iPad.
Otherwise as suggested I can purchase about 300GBs of iCloud for a month.
I also might just try to delete the Photos App.
Do the OS update, then re download and re install Photos from the AppStore as suggested by sberman back on 12th October.
Thank you for all your help, hopefully will sort this out over the weekend with my son watching over me!!!
User level: Level 1 (15 points)Oct 19, 2026 8:38 AM in response to sberman
In the UK you only remove the Photo Apps from your Home Screen you cannot remove Photos from the iPad. Checking out the UK Apple Store does not have the Apple "Photos" app either. I can see if I look on the US site you can download the "Photos" app but will be of no use unless I could completely remove Photos on the iPad that hold just the 200GBs of Documents and Data. This was the response when I Googled the question "Can I remove photos app from my iPad?"
No, you cannot permanently delete the built-in Photos app from your iPad. [1]
Sorry it doesn't work in UK.
User level: Level 10 (334,506 points)Oct 19, 2026 9:02 AM in response to gwenda80
gwenda80 wrote:
In the UK you only remove the Photo Apps from your Home Screen you cannot remove Photos from the iPad. Checking out the UK Apple Store does not have the Apple "Photos" app either. I can see if I look on the US site you can download the "Photos" app but will be of no use unless I could completely remove Photos on the iPad that hold just the 200GBs of Documents and Data. This was the response when I Googled the question "Can I remove photos app from my iPad?"
No, you cannot permanently delete the built-in Photos app from your iPad. [1]
Core System App: The Photos app is a core part of iPadOS and cannot be uninstalled. [1• ]
Remove from Home Screen: You can remove the app icon from your Home Screen by moving it to the App Library, but the app itself remains on the device. [1• ]
Sorry it doesn't work in UK.
Eh?
While you are correct in that the Photos App cannot be completely removed from iPad (or iPhone), this being true for all iPadOS/iOS devices regardless of geographic location, the Photos App can be removed from view.
If the Photos App is removed from your iPad (or iPhone), it can be reinstated directly from the App Store. Here is the UK App Store link for the Photos App:
User level: Level 10 (334,506 points)Oct 19, 2026 9:06 AM in response to gwenda80
gwenda80 wrote:
Today I've managed a complete back up from the iPad to my MacBookPro using the Apple cable that arrived this afternoon USB-C to Lightning. It worked well. As it's getting late, tomorrow is the day I will fully reset the iPad, fingers crossed and thank you.
Excellent. Best of luck - do keep us informed of how you get on.
User level: Level 1 (15 points)Oct 19, 2026 9:54 AM in response to LotusPilot
Sorry this response was for sberman who suggested I could delete the whole Photos App from my iPad.
There appears to be no way to actually remove it completely, only moving it off the Home Screen, unless you know how to????? Finger crossed for tomorrow edition.
User level: Level 10 (280,982 points)Oct 19, 2026 11:05 AM in response to gwenda80
gwenda80 wrote:
There appears to be no way to actually remove it completely, only moving it off the Home Screen, unless you know how to?????
I am surprised and disappointed. Sorry to have sent you down a rabbit hole.
Best of luck with the reset approach.
User level: Level 10 (280,982 points)Oct 13, 2026 1:21 PM in response to gwenda80
You seem to have ignored my response. Oh well.
User level: Level 1 (15 points)Oct 14, 2026 12:40 PM in response to sberman
Thank you, I might pluck up the courage and do just that.
I you said it works in the USA so I hope it will work in the UK.
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256375017