Question about iTunes and the "other" stuff on iOS devices when syncing
By Joseph, 3 June, 2014
Forum
macOS and Mac Apps
Hey all. It's joseph here. i have a quick question. is there a way to remove the "other" stuff that's taking up space on my iPhone and iPod when synching via iTunes on my mac?
In the summary tab for your device, look for an option that says sync only checked items. If that option isn't already checked, do so. Once it is checked, you can easily remove items from your device simply by looking for them in your iTunes library and unchecking them. Items you uncheck will be removed the next time you sync your device.
Another trick for managing music is to create a playlist, or series of playlists, which contain the songs you wish to have on your device. Then, select your device in the sources list, then select the music tab. Select the option that says to sync only selected items, then look for the list of playlists underneath. Select the playlist, or playlists, you wish to sync to your device, and make sure everything else is unchecked. Now, the next time you sync your device, those playlists will be all that gets put on your device. You can add songs by adding them to the playlist, and remove songs by deleting them from the playlist. You can even use smart playlists which automatically selects songs based on criteria you prefer, such as items recently added or items you have not played in a while.
These are the two methods I use to manage my iPad. For music, I use a set of playlists to control precisely what I want on the device. For audiobooks, I simply uncheck each audiobook after I listen to it, so books I haven't listened to are the only ones that are put on my device. If I later decide to listen to an audiobook again, I can simply re-check it, which will add the book back to my device the next time I sync.
There is a listing at the bottom of the iTunes device screen that says how much space each media type takes up. This includes audio, photos, apps, books, and other. I believe the other inclues data associated with an app. For example, the space taken up by a podcast app's downloaded content might be represented there. So, the other data may not be junk, but rather unclassified media. I'm not totally confident of this theory, but it holds up for me.
the "other" category are cache files and documents that are not consider permanent or essential, such as weekly coupon data. to get rid of it, make sure you backup your device, then go to settings > general > reset and delete all data and settings. then you simply restore your device from backup. most if not all of the stuff in the other category will be gone. you must delete all data and setting first, simply restore from backup will not touch the other category.
but in a few days, the other category will get as big as before, you'll back to where you started, so my advice is don't bother.
Comments
question about iTunes and syncing other things on a iDevice
What other things are you trying to remove during the syncing process
Some suggestions
In the summary tab for your device, look for an option that says sync only checked items. If that option isn't already checked, do so. Once it is checked, you can easily remove items from your device simply by looking for them in your iTunes library and unchecking them. Items you uncheck will be removed the next time you sync your device.
Another trick for managing music is to create a playlist, or series of playlists, which contain the songs you wish to have on your device. Then, select your device in the sources list, then select the music tab. Select the option that says to sync only selected items, then look for the list of playlists underneath. Select the playlist, or playlists, you wish to sync to your device, and make sure everything else is unchecked. Now, the next time you sync your device, those playlists will be all that gets put on your device. You can add songs by adding them to the playlist, and remove songs by deleting them from the playlist. You can even use smart playlists which automatically selects songs based on criteria you prefer, such as items recently added or items you have not played in a while.
These are the two methods I use to manage my iPad. For music, I use a set of playlists to control precisely what I want on the device. For audiobooks, I simply uncheck each audiobook after I listen to it, so books I haven't listened to are the only ones that are put on my device. If I later decide to listen to an audiobook again, I can simply re-check it, which will add the book back to my device the next time I sync.
ah, gotcha
Ah, gotcha. yeah, I'll try that.
Other Stuff
There is a listing at the bottom of the iTunes device screen that says how much space each media type takes up. This includes audio, photos, apps, books, and other. I believe the other inclues data associated with an app. For example, the space taken up by a podcast app's downloaded content might be represented there. So, the other data may not be junk, but rather unclassified media. I'm not totally confident of this theory, but it holds up for me.
it's easy but not worth the trouble
the "other" category are cache files and documents that are not consider permanent or essential, such as weekly coupon data. to get rid of it, make sure you backup your device, then go to settings > general > reset and delete all data and settings. then you simply restore your device from backup. most if not all of the stuff in the other category will be gone. you must delete all data and setting first, simply restore from backup will not touch the other category.
but in a few days, the other category will get as big as before, you'll back to where you started, so my advice is don't bother.