Deep Clean iOS devices using 3uTools on Windows

I wrote this guide few weeks ago in iOS cleaner thread.

Changes:

• Updated the guide with few quirks on iOS13.x

=============================================================
Usual Symptoms to try Deep clean:

1. Re-indexing takes too much battery
   
2. Mysterious battery drain
3. Sudden reduction in Storage space on lower capacity models.

Use the deep clean feature every 3 months or if you're super OCD limit to once or twice a month. Regular cleaning doesn't bring too much improvements.

The cleanup is similar to what other iOS cleaners Paid version provides. If you've a paid product don't uninstall it and run 3utools alongside current offerings.

Additional iOS cleanup using 3uTools on windows:


I'm using 3utools to clean up some iOS cache and unnecessary file aka re-indexing files after iOS update.

Step 1: Take a backup. Choose selective or full backup.



Step 2: Delete Photo Cache and reduce re-indexing time to save some battery.

Note: In iOS 13.x deleting thumbnails causing photos to disappear permanentely hence, not recommended to remove Thumbnail folder.


(Screenshot depicting iOS 12 device)


Do note the path is /Photodata.
CPL,face metadata, metadata,album metadata and backup database are important and deletion are permanent.
Mutation folder contains original copy of picture or pictures/videos you cropped or edited and these are leftover even after choosing Keep edited file and remove original file(s).
MISC contains a thumbnail of photo coupled with location tag.
I've seen Thumbnails folder being over 1GB even after deleting large number of photos from iPhone and recently deleted folder.
Hopefully users will gain several MBs to GBs after this step.

Step 3: Delete contents of /Downloads and reboot the iDevice.



Rebooting iDevice can be done from main screen Reboot option.

Suggestions are welcome.
EDIT: iTunes Album art cleanup are under test and I did see some albums missing, so I will be adding the enhanced itunes cleanup in few weeks. [Too risky and breaks all thumbnails and album arts in iTunes]

 

@kojack Yesterday I setup my mom's iphone as new by hard resetting thrice because she complained device was too hot to touch under general usage. After reset, it was heating up initially but now its very cool.
Things I noticed after hard reset, Settings app still has Auto brightness in Display & Zoom and Accessibility sections, USB accessories doesn't have toggle button to disable it, I only see the text with no button.
Is there any alternative to iWork? My mom rarely uses them. I installed Google, Outlook mail and calendar, Onedrive etc.. and uninstalled Apple Apps.
I uninstalled Videos app because I think iMovie can play videos/gifs. I don't know what iMovie does.

 

I pay for office 365 for my family. I use all Microsoft software when possible.

 

Ok. Anyway to sync contacts to outlook instead of iCloud? I tried it on 11.x and 12.x but on 12.2 the option isn't available and contacts must be saved in Apple iCloud and then it'll be merged to outlook instead of direectly saving to Outlook or Google.

 

I think that's the only way. I just iCloud for that.

 

What?

 

I just use iCloud for my contacts.

 

@custom90gt
Can you add this thread which is helpful for iOS users who want complete privacy.
Please let me know, if Apple demands a takedown notice and ask to delete the thread. Anyway, if it happens I'd like to have a copy of the OP for my reference because I tend to forget the steps and this guide simply refreshes my memory.

 

Sorry I'm not sure what you're asking?

 

Is it possible for this Thread to be in NBR spotlight section for iOS users who demand privacy.

 

Ah I see, let's ask @Charles P. Jefferies as sadly I am not sure what the requirements are to be featured there.

 

Thanks. Since its Apple, will they ask to take it down?

 

We can publish what we like, generally speaking, I'm not sure what grounds they would have to get us to take something like this down. I'll cross that bridge if we get to it. (Highly unlikely.)

Charles

 

Thanks for reassuring.