iPhone says Storage Almost Full: how to free up space
When an iPhone says Storage Almost Full, it can stop taking photos, stop saving messages and refuse to install updates. The fix is almost never a new phone. Most of the space is usually photos, videos, messages and apps you no longer use. Work through these steps in order and check the free space after each one.
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Steps
See what is using the space. Open Settings, tap General, then tap iPhone Storage. Wait a moment for the bar at the top to fill in. It shows how much is used and lists your apps from largest to smallest.
Use the suggestions Apple gives you. On the same iPhone Storage screen, look under Recommendations and tap Show All if you see it. Tap Enable to turn one on, or tap the suggestion to review what it would remove before you decide.
Turn on Offload Unused Apps. On the iPhone Storage screen, tap Enable next to Offload Unused Apps. The iPhone removes apps you have not used in a while but keeps their documents and data, and the app icon stays so you can download it again with one tap.
Remove large apps you do not need. In the app list on the iPhone Storage screen, tap an app. Offload App frees the space and keeps your data. Delete App removes the app and its data. Apps you paid for can be downloaded again later for free.
Empty the Recently Deleted album. Photos you delete are kept for 30 days and still take up space. Open the Photos app, tap Collections, swipe up and tap Recently Deleted, tap View Album, then tap Select and choose Delete All. Only do this when you are sure, because these photos cannot be recovered afterward.
Remove long videos you no longer want. Videos take far more space than photos. In the Photos app, look in Collections for the Videos album, and delete the long ones you have already saved somewhere else.
If you use iCloud Photos, let the phone keep smaller copies. Open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, then Photos, and choose Optimize iPhone Storage. The full size photos stay in iCloud and the phone keeps smaller versions. Your iCloud plan must have room for your whole library.
Stop old messages from piling up. Open Settings, then Messages (on newer iPhones, Settings, then Apps, then Messages), tap Keep Messages and choose 1 Year or 30 Days. Older messages and their photos are removed, so save any you want first.
Before you delete photos you care about, save a copy. Copy them to a computer with the charging cable, or turn on iCloud Photos. Then check that a few of them open on the computer or at icloud.com.
If an update says there is not enough space, free up space with the steps above and try again in Settings, then General, then Software Update. You can also plug the iPhone into a Mac and use Finder, or into a Windows computer and use the Apple Devices app, to install the update from the computer.
Do not worry about the part labeled System Data or Other. You cannot clear it yourself, and the iPhone cleans out its temporary files on its own when it needs room.
Never pay for a cleaner app or call a phone number from a popup, text or email that says your iPhone is full of viruses or your storage will be deleted. Apple will not call you about storage, and the tools above are free and already on your iPhone.
Common questions
Will I lose my photos if I free up space?
Not if you save a copy first. Copy photos to a computer or turn on iCloud Photos before you delete anything, and check that the copies open.
Do I have to buy more iCloud storage?
No. iCloud storage and iPhone storage are different things. Buying more iCloud space does not add space to the phone itself unless you also use Optimize iPhone Storage for photos.
What does Offload App mean?
Offloading removes the app itself but keeps your documents and data on the iPhone. When you tap the app icon again, it downloads the app and you pick up where you left off.
Why is my storage still full after I deleted photos?
Deleted photos stay in the Recently Deleted album for 30 days. Empty that album to get the space back right away.
Can Ellis help me with this?
Yes. Ellis can talk you through each step by phone while you hold your iPhone, and will never ask for your passwords or bank details. Ellis is an AI assistant, not a person.
Free human help is at capacity right now. If you want help while you fix this, Ellis, our AI assistant, can help you by phone now. The first 5 minutes are free when you call (928) 272-0355. If you want more time, phone help is $19 one time for up to 30 minutes, used over 14 days. No subscription. Ellis is an AI and can make mistakes.