Having trouble with your iPad storage not loading? It can be frustrating when you can’t access your files or apps because of this issue. To fix this, you can try resetting your iPad’s settings or clearing its history and cookies. If these solutions don’t work, a force restart might help.
Problems with iPad storage loading are common but manageable. Following a few simple steps often resolves them. For instance, resetting all settings may solve the problem. You can follow steps such as opening the settings app and navigating to general settings to reset.
Keeping your iPad’s software up to date also helps. Sometimes, storage issues come from outdated software, so ensure you have the latest iOS version installed. Taking these steps can free up storage and keep your device running smoothly.
iPad Storage Not Loading: Troubleshooting Tips and Fixes
If your iPad Storage screen won’t load or stays stuck on “Calculating,” you’re not alone. This is a common iPadOS issue that can make it difficult to see what’s using space—or free any up. The good news is that, in most cases, it’s fixable without losing data.
This article explains why iPad Storage won’t load and provides step‑by‑step fixes to get it working again.
What “iPad Storage Not Loading” Looks Like
You may see:
- A spinning wheel next to Settings → General → iPad Storage
- “Calculating…” that never finishes
- A blank storage graph
- Apps not appearing in the storage list
This usually points to a system process being stuck or overloaded.
Common Causes
- Low available storage (almost full)
- Large photo or video libraries
- Corrupted cache or index files
- iCloud sync stuck in the background
- Outdated iPadOS version
- Third‑party app indexing issues
Fix 1: Wait It Out (Seriously)
Sometimes the system just needs time.
✅ Leave your iPad:
- Plugged into power
- Connected to Wi‑Fi
- Screen unlocked
Wait 15–30 minutes, then recheck iPad Storage.
This often resolves first‑time or post‑update issues.
Fix 2: Restart Your iPad
A simple restart can clear stuck processes.
How to Restart
- iPads with Home button: Hold Power → Slide to power off
- iPads without Home button: Hold Power + Volume → Slide to power off
Turn the iPad back on and check storage again.
Fix 3: Force Restart (More Effective)
A force restart clears deeper system tasks.
Force Restart Steps
- iPads with Face ID:
- Press Volume Up
- Press Volume Down
- Hold Power until Apple logo appears
- iPads with Home button:
Hold Home + Power until the Apple logo appears
Fix 4: Update iPadOS
Storage indexing bugs are often fixed in updates.
- Go to Settings
- Tap General → Software Update
- Install any available update
✅ Updating can immediately fix the storage screen.
Fix 5: Free Up Some Space (Even a Little Helps)
If your iPad is almost full, storage calculations may fail.
Quick Ways to Free Space
- Delete one or two large apps
- Remove downloaded movies or shows
- Clear Safari cache:
- Settings → Safari → Clear History and Website Data
You only need to free 500 MB–1 GB to help the system recover.
Fix 6: Check iCloud Sync Status
Stuck iCloud syncing can block storage calculations.
- Go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud
- Check for syncing errors
- Toggle iCloud Photos off, wait a minute, then turn it back on
⚠️ Make sure photos are backed up before toggling.
Fix 7: Sign Out of Apple ID (Advanced)
This refreshes system indexing.
- Go to Settings → [your name]
- Tap Sign Out
- Restart your iPad
- Sign back in
✅ This does not delete data if done correctly.
Fix 8: Reset All Settings (Last Resort Before Restore)
This keeps your data but resets system settings.
- Go to Settings → General
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPad
- Choose Reset → Reset All Settings
Wi‑Fi passwords and preferences will be removed.
Fix 9: Backup and Restore iPad (Final Option)
If nothing else works:
- Back up your iPad (iCloud or computer)
- Erase the iPad
- Restore from backup
✅ This almost always fixes stuck storage screens.
Quick Troubleshooting Table
| Fix | Data Loss | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Wait / Restart | None | Easy |
| Force Restart | None | Easy |
| Update iPadOS | None | Easy |
| Free Space | Minimal | Easy |
| iCloud Toggle | None | Medium |
| Sign Out Apple ID | None | Medium |
| Reset All Settings | None | Medium |
| Backup & Restore | None (if backed up) | Advanced |
How to Prevent This in the Future
- Keep at least 2–3 GB free storage
- Update iPadOS regularly
- Avoid letting storage reach 100%
- Periodically restart your iPad
- Manage large photo and video files
Final Thoughts
An iPad Storage screen that won’t load is frustrating—but it’s rarely permanent. In most cases, restarting, freeing space, or updating iPadOS fixes the problem quickly. More advanced steps like resetting settings or restoring the device are reliable last resorts.
Key Takeaways
- To fix storage issues, try resetting settings or clearing history.
- Problems are often resolved with simple steps.
- Keeping software updated can prevent many issues.
Understanding iPad Storage
iPads have varying storage capacities. Managing storage properly ensures your device runs smoothly and efficiently.
Basics of iPad Storage Space
Storage space on an iPad can range from 16GB to over 1TB, depending on the model. The operating system, iOS or iPadOS, uses some of this space. Apps, photos, videos, and files take up the rest.
When storage is low, you might see a warning. At this point, checking storage details is important. Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage. Here, you will see what is using the most space.
Calculating the size of each category helps manage space better. Delete unused apps, offload large files, and back up photos to iCloud. Regular maintenance like this keeps storage to a minimum and prevents issues.
Managing iPadOS and iOS Updates
Installing updates ensures your iPad runs the latest software, which often improves performance and security. Before updating, make sure there is enough free space. Updates can be large and may require temporary storage during installation.
To check for updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If the update is large, you may need to free up space. Move videos and large files to another device or cloud storage.
Keep in mind that each new update may use more space than the last. It is a good habit to periodically check and manage your storage to accommodate future updates. This practice keeps your iPad running efficiently.
