Your iPhone is likely your constant companion, capturing photos and videos of life’s best moments. However, over time, those cherished memories along with increasingly demanding apps can fill up your storage capacity before you realize it. Before you consider deleting precious snapshots or upgrading to a costly model, remember there are efficient ways to reclaim space without sacrificing what you hold dear.
Thanks to some built-in iOS features and lesser-known tips, you can efficiently clear out unnecessary clutter and free up storage space. It’s quick, easy, and you have the necessary tools right within your settings.
Two essential iOS settings can help you tackle storage problems—one offers a permanent solution while the other serves as a temporary fix. Reducing clutter allows you to install the latest iOS updates, snap more photos, and download additional apps. Here’s how you can make the most of your iPhone’s storage capabilities.
Optimize iPhone Photos and Videos to Create More Space
If you want to retain your favorite memories but need to free up space, optimizing your photos and videos is a simple and effective solution. By default, every media file you capture is saved in full resolution, consuming significantly more storage. A minute of 4K video can take up around 400MB—almost half a gigabyte!
To optimize your media, navigate to Settings > Photos and enable Optimize iPhone Storage. You’ll need to have the iCloud Photos feature activated for this option to work. Depending on how much content you have, this process may take some time. However, once completed, you’ll notice considerable storage relief.
Your full-resolution photos and videos will be safely stored in iCloud while smaller, lower-resolution copies remain on your device, saving valuable space. Should you need to access higher-resolution files, simply go to the Photos app and download them, provided you’re connected to the internet. Newly captured photos typically stay in full resolution, minimizing the need for frequent downloads.
If your current iCloud storage isn’t sufficient, upgrading your plan is a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a new device. For just a dollar a month, you can expand your storage to 50GB, with more substantial options like 200GB for $3 or 2TB for $10. Pricing may vary based on your country.
To upgrade your iCloud space, go to Settings > (your name) > iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Buy More Storage. Follow the prompts to select your plan. Choosing a paid iCloud subscription grants you additional features offered by iCloud+, such as iCloud Private Relay and Hide My Email.
Offload Your Largest Apps to Save iPhone Storage Space
Not every app on your iPhone sees regular use. Many apps—like those for airlines, alternative cameras, or music production—may sit idle, consuming valuable storage. If you’re looking to regain space, offloading apps is a practical solution, especially when you need to install the latest iOS updates.
Major updates, such as iOS 16, might require over 5GB for installation, while point updates can consume around 1GB. If you’re low on storage, quickly offloading apps offers a balance between keeping and deleting.
To offload apps, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, and identify which applications occupy the most space. Note that built-in apps like Photos and Messages cannot be offloaded. Once you identify an app to offload, simply tap on it and select Offload App. Your documents and data remain intact while the app itself is removed.
When you need temporary storage for downloads, repeat the offloading process for any unnecessary apps. The amount of space freed from each app will display next to App Size. Remember, documents and data will stay unless the app is permanently deleted.
To restore an app, go to your App Library and tap the iCloud button next to the app. If the app is on your home screen, just tap it to re-download. You won’t need to sign in again; it’s as if the app was never removed.