All iPads Apps to optimize space on a 64 gb iPad?

[crodonline]

I’ve recently got a 64 gb iPad mini 6. It’s a secondary device for me because I already have a 256 gb iPad Air 4.

Does anyone who owns a 64 gb iPad have certain apps that can optimize space? Like ones that cover multiple tasks or are all-in-one? Or apps that take the least space?

I tried to see if there were conversations like this but haven’t found any. I think hearing about apps 64 gb owners use would be helpful for those thinking about any 64 gb iPad.

 

[rui no onna]

Apps are sandboxed on iOS so I don't think there's an app available that does that can optimize storage system-wide. However, iOS itself has built-in storage optimization techniques (optimize photos, offload apps, iCloud Drive).

Personally, for a secondary iPad with low storage, I always set up as new and just install my core apps (Dropbox, YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Plex, Infuse, Kindle, Marvin, GoodReader, Calculator, AdGuard). Other apps are installed as needed. No video downloads, just purely streaming. The only stuff I'd download locally are ebooks and PDFs. On a 32GB iPad 7th gen, this setup actually leaves me with ~10GB free.

 

[ofarlig]

Not really sure why I wanted to get the 256 GB Mini 6 from the start, returned that one and got the 64 GB model instead and both the 64 GB Mini and my 256 GB Pro uses around 25 GB with more games installed than I actually use. I have the remaining space to download movies onto it when traveling by plane, otherwise I use streaming, the cloud or my NAS.

 

[ericwn]

I’d start fresh and only install the apps you need. Monitor what’s taking up the storage in Settings.
For unused apps you have the option to offload them via the App Store Settings for each device.

 

[Hunter5117]

I have 2 iPad Pro, 11" and 12.9". Both are only 64gb. I use them both for everything from editing photos and some video, to keeping my journals that include hundreds of pdf's and articles clipped from the internet. Plus all my usual personal files etc.

All of this is done with Apples own apps, Photos, Notes, etc. I just checked my 12.9" and it has 58gb available of the 64gb.

Apples apps with iCloud are awesome at keeping your local storage free'd up.

 

[crodonline]

Apps are sandboxed on iOS so I don't think there's an app available that does that can optimize storage system-wide. However, iOS itself has built-in storage optimization techniques (optimize photos, offload apps, iCloud Drive).

Oh I didn’t mean an app that optimizes space as its only task, but ones that you can do multiple things with (like one that you can draw, design and edit photos in instead of having 2-3 apps that do, etc.)

I set up my iPad as new and downloaded what I needed, but the amount of space apps take up these days can be a lot, even when you do your best to have only what you truly use.

 

[ericwn]

I have 2 iPad Pro, 11" and 12.9". Both are only 64gb. I use them both for everything from editing photos and some video, to keeping my journals that include hundreds of pdf's and articles clipped from the internet. Plus all my usual personal files etc.

All of this is done with Apples own apps, Photos, Notes, etc. I just checked my 12.9" and it has 58gb available of the 64gb.

Apples apps with iCloud are awesome at keeping your local storage free'd up.

Would love to hear more about your journaling workflow - I personally use Day One for a very long time and am happy with it, but always keep an open eye on what others are doing. Sorry if that was a bit OT.

 

[Hunter5117]

Would love to hear more about your journaling workflow - I personally use Day One for a very long time and am happy with it, but always keep an open eye on what others are doing. Sorry if that was a bit OT.

Sorry if my workflow is not very sophisticated. I have tried a number of different apps including Notability etc. In the end, I have found that Apple Notes is the most versatile for what I do. I used to use Evernote which my employer paid for, when I retired I moved all my Evernote into Notes. Much of what I do is collect articles and data on my varied interests from the internet and keep a notes folder(s) for each topic. I like that it is relatively easy to save a webpage as a pdf into Notes, and that I can "scan" hard copy using my iPhone into Notes as well. I still use pen and paper for some things and I frequently "scan" my handwritten notes as well.

I would like better integration of handwriting, and especially the ability to markup the note itself instead of just marking up saved pdfs.

 

[darngooddesign]

...like one that you can draw, design and edit photos in instead of having 2-3 apps that do, etc.

Will it matter if that one universal app is around same size as the separate dedicated apps? Are you willing to use an inferior illustration app just because it is smaller? What features do you want in your Photo editing apps? Snapseed, for example, is 72MB so its hard to imagine that you will find a better editing app that's smaller than that, but its your photo library that's going to eat space so unless you offload photos right away 64GB is just going to feel tight. /Just install several and decide which gives the best combination of small size and features you want.

Set your iPad up as a new device than then examine your storage to determine what apps and content are using the most space. The real question to ask yourself is whether you are capable of limiting what you use your Mini for and only do photo editing on your Air; if you can't then swap the Mini for the 256GB version while you can.

 

[crodonline]

Will it matter if that one universal app is around same size as the separate dedicated apps? Are you willing to use an inferior illustration app just because it is smaller? What features do you want in your Photo editing apps? Snapseed, for example, is 72MB so its hard to imagine that you will find a better editing app that's smaller than that, but its your photo library that's going to eat space so unless you offload photos right away 64GB is just going to feel tight. /Just install several and decide which gives the best combination of small size and features you want.

Set your iPad up as a new device than then examine your storage to determine what apps and content are using the most space. The real question to ask yourself is whether you are capable of limiting what you use your Mini for and only do photo editing on your Air; if you can't then swap the Mini for the 256GB version while you can.

I used that as an example, because maybe someone else would want to know. Everyone’s use case is different. I only do minor photo editing once in a while. I create more graphics for social media than anything else and I don’t store everything my iPad.

I have mentioned that I set up my mini as new and installed what I think I would use, but some apps still seem a little redundant. That’s why I started this thread because I’m sure there are people who got the 64 GB and wonder how to make it work, what apps would be better to install, etc.

It seems as though the 256 GB cellular version is hard to purchase right away at the moment. I was lucky to get the 64 on Amazon, but I am looking out. Amazon’s return window is until January so if a 256 pops up, I may just exchange it.

 

[rui no onna]

I don’t game so I’ve never really had a problem with apps not fitting on 64GB. Even 32GB has been quite workable thus far. As long as I keep media downloads to a minimum and enable optimize on iCloud Photos, I find 64GB to be more than comfortable.

Admittedly, I did get a 256GB mini 6. I like having a good-sized library of offline manga/comics.