How to free up storage on iPhone
Learn how to check your iPhone storage and free up space by removing files, apps, and photos you no longer need.
What you will learn
In this guide, you will learn how to check how much storage space your iPhone has left and several ways to free up space. A full iPhone can run slowly, stop taking photos, and prevent app updates.
What you need
- An iPhone
The steps
Step 1: Check your current storage
Open Settings, tap “General”, then tap “iPhone Storage”. Wait a few seconds for it to load. You will see a colored bar showing how much space is used and what types of files are using it (apps, photos, messages, and other).
Step 2: Review recommendations
At the top of the iPhone Storage screen, Apple may show recommendations to save space. Common suggestions include “Offload Unused Apps”, “Review Large Attachments”, and “Auto Delete Old Conversations”. Tap any recommendation to enable it.
Step 3: Delete large apps you do not use
Scroll down on the same screen to see a list of all your apps sorted by size. The biggest ones are at the top. For any app you no longer use, tap it and then tap “Delete App” to remove it and free up the space it was using.
Step 4: Clear photos and videos
Open the Photos app. Look through your photos and delete any you no longer want by tapping the photo and then tapping the trash can icon. After deleting photos, go to “Albums” then “Recently Deleted” and tap “Delete All” to permanently remove them and reclaim the space.
Step 5: Clear Safari browser data
Open Settings, scroll down and tap “Safari”. Scroll down and tap “Clear History and Website Data”. Tap “Clear History and Data” to confirm. This removes saved website files that take up space.
Step 6: Remove old message attachments
Go to Settings then “General” then “iPhone Storage”. Tap “Messages”. You will see categories like Photos, Videos, GIFs, and Stickers. Tap a category, tap “Edit”, select the items you want to remove, and tap the trash can icon.
Helpful tips
- iCloud Photos: Turn on iCloud Photos in Settings to store full-size photos in the cloud and keep only smaller versions on your phone. Go to Settings then tap your name, then iCloud then Photos.
- Streaming over downloading: Stream music and videos instead of downloading them to save storage space.
- Regular cleanup: Do this every few months to keep your iPhone running smoothly.
- Check after cleaning: Go back to Settings then General then iPhone Storage to see how much space you freed up.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my iPhone is running out of storage?
Your iPhone will show a message saying 'iPhone Storage Almost Full'. You may also notice that apps crash, photos will not save, or updates fail to install.
Does deleting text messages free up space?
Yes, especially if you send and receive many photos and videos through messages. Old conversations with lots of media can take up several gigabytes.
What does Offload App mean?
Offloading an app removes the app itself but keeps its data. If you reinstall the app later, your data comes back. It saves space without losing information.
Will clearing Safari data log me out of websites?
Yes. Clearing Safari data removes saved website passwords and login sessions. You will need to log in again to websites you visit.
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