Guide: Free up space on your iPhone
It's easy for your iPhone storage to fill up without you even realizing it—suddenly you can't take a picture, download an app, or update your phone. Luckily, it's easy to fix. Here are eight ways to free up space on your iPhone.
8 Steps to Free Up Storage Space on iPhone
Here are eight easy ways to free up storage space on your iPhone – without deleting more than necessary.
1. Check what's taking up space
First things first. Start by finding out what is actually taking up space.
Go to: Settings > General > iPhone Storage
Here you'll see an overview of what's using the most space - apps, pictures, messages, etc.
2. Clear photos and videos
Do this:
- Open the Photos app
- Review and delete unnecessary images, screenshots, and duplicates
- Empty “Recently Deleted” under Album > Recently Deleted > Select > Delete All
Tips: Enable iCloud Photos with the “Optimize iPhone Storage” option to save space locally.
3. Delete apps you don't use
Do this:
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Tap an app you don't need
- Select “Delete App” or “Offload App” (save documents and data but delete the app itself)
4. Clear the cache in Safari
Do this:
- Go to Settings > Safari
- Tap “Clear History and Website Data”
5. Clear old messages and attachments
Do this:
- Go to Settings > Notifications
- Under “Retain messages”, select 30 days or 1 year
- You can also manually clear images and attachments in conversations
6. Delete downloaded music and podcasts
Do this:
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Tap Music or Podcasts
- Delete downloaded content you no longer need
7. Empty the trash in apps
Some apps (e.g. Files, Mail, Notes) have their own folders for recently deleted content – go in and empty them manually.
8. Update iOS
Do this:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update
A new version can sometimes improve storage management.
common questions and answers
How do I know what takes up the most storage space on my iPhone?
You can see an overview under Settings > General > iPhone Storage, which shows how much storage space is being used on your iPhone by different types of content like apps, photos, and system data.
What happens if I offload an app?
When you offload an app, the app itself is removed, but the documents and data are saved. If you reinstall the app, everything remains as before.
Do I have to permanently delete photos to save space?
No. If you use iCloud Photos with “Optimize iPhone Storage,” the original files can be stored in the cloud while smaller versions are saved on your phone.
Can I delete "System Data"?
System data cannot be manually deleted. It is used by iOS and apps for cache, logs, and other files. It can sometimes be reduced if you restart your phone or perform a reset.
Will everything be cleared if I reset the phone?
Yes. If you choose to erase all content and settings, your entire phone will be erased. You should restore iPhone if you have a backup and want to start over from scratch.
Are there apps that help me free up space on my iPhone?
Apple doesn't have its own apps for this, but the iPhone Storage settings are the safest and most reliable way to view and manage your storage.
How often should I free up space on my iPhone?
It depends on how much you use your phone. If you often get low storage warnings, it might be a good idea to free up space on your iPhone on a monthly basis.
