Other / Misc storage
Also known as: Other storage, Misc storage, what is Other storage
Other (or Miscellaneous) storage is the cross-platform catch-all category for files that do not fit named buckets like Photos, Apps, or Media — mainly caches, logs, system files, and temporary data. Most of it is reclaimable, and it appears under different names across iOS, Android, and macOS.
- Catch-all for caches, logs, and temporary files
- Called System Data on iOS and macOS, System/Other on Android
- Mostly reclaimable; rebuilds in normal use
Why every platform has an "Other"
Storage screens group your space into tidy categories, but plenty of files belong to none of them: app caches, logs, system files, fonts, partial downloads, and temporary data. Devices lump these into a single bucket so the bar still adds up.
The name changes by platform. iOS now calls it System Data (older versions said "Other"), macOS calls it System Data, and Android storage breakdowns often show a System or Other slice. The idea is the same everywhere.
Is it a problem?
A few gigabytes of Other is normal and even healthy — it means apps are caching to run faster. It only warrants attention when it balloons far beyond the rest of your usage, which usually points to a runaway cache, a stuck update, or accumulated temporary files.
You rarely delete it directly. Restarting the device, clearing app caches, and removing stuck installers lets the system reclaim most of it, and what you lose simply rebuilds as you use the device.