Deleting records does not reduce feature layer size in ArcGIS Online

Description

In ArcGIS Online, when records are deleted from a feature layer to reduce storage size, the layer’s total size does not immediately decrease, even after a large number of records have been removed or the layer has been completely emptied.

Cause

This is expected behavior.

• When synchronization or change tracking is enabled on a feature layer, ArcGIS Online creates and maintains replicas and change logs to support offline editing and version management. The change logs record all changes, including deletions. Over time, the accumulation of these records increases the total storage consumption and credit usage.
• The reported size of a feature layer is not immediately updated after features are deleted or when synchronization and change tracking are disabled. Depending on the storage used by synchronization and change logs, it may take several hours or longer for the updated size to be reflected.
• The size of a hosted feature layer in ArcGIS Online is not expected to match the size of the zipped file geodatabase used for publishing or the file geodatabase exported from the layer. This difference is due to variations in storage allocation and data structure between the ArcGIS Online cloud environment and local file geodatabases.

Solution or Workaround

After deleting records, use one of the following workarounds to optimize and reduce the storage size of the feature layer.

Disable synchronization and change tracking or trim change logs

To avoid creating additional replicas and change logs, disable synchronization and change tracking in the feature layer's settings. Refer to ArcGIS Online: Allow offline editing or collaboration for more information.

If synchronization and change tracking are enabled, configure the retention period for the change log. Limiting the number of days to retain edits reduces storage, especially for layers with frequent updates. Refer to ArcGIS Online: Manage the size of the change log for instructions to trim change logs.

Overwrite the feature layer from ArcGIS Pro

Overwrite the feature layer from ArcGIS Pro to update its storage size and remove residual data while preserving existing links to web maps and web apps. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Overwrite a web feature layer for instructions.

Republish the layer from a file geodatabase

Export the feature layer to a file geodatabase in ArcGIS Online, then publish it as a new hosted feature layer. The newly published layer reflects the reduced size after the features are deleted.