How to Fix iPhone Storage Full (Not Enough Storage)

The “iPhone Storage Almost Full” or “Not Enough Storage” message stops you from taking photos, installing updates and sometimes receiving messages. The good news is that you can usually free many gigabytes without deleting anything you care about. This guide starts with the safest options.

What fills up an iPhone

• Photos and videos, especially 4K video.
• Apps and their saved data, such as streaming downloads or games.
• Messages with photos, videos and other attachments.
• Cached data from Safari and other apps.
• “System Data”, which holds temporary files and can grow over time.

1. See what is using the space

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. After a moment the bar at the top shows storage by category, and the list below ranks apps by size. Start with the biggest items.

2. Offload apps you rarely use

Under iPhone Storage, select Enable next to Offload Unused Apps, or open a single app and choose Offload App. Offloading removes the app but keeps its documents and data, so you can reinstall it later and carry on.

3. Review large Messages attachments

In iPhone Storage, tap Messages and then Review Large Attachments. Swipe left on items you no longer need, or select Edit to delete several at once. Videos usually take the most space.

4. Move photos to iCloud or your computer

If you use iCloud Photos, open Settings, tap your name, choose iCloud > Photos and turn on Optimize iPhone Storage. This keeps smaller versions on the phone and full-size originals in iCloud. It needs enough iCloud storage, which you may have to buy.

5. Empty Recently Deleted

Photos you delete stay in Photos > Albums > Recently Deleted for about 30 days and still use space. Open it, choose Select and delete everything, or delete items one by one.

6. Clear Safari data

Go to Settings > Apps > Safari (on older iOS versions, Settings > Safari) and choose Clear History and Website Data. This signs you out of websites but does not delete bookmarks.

7. Delete and reinstall heavy apps

Some apps store large caches that you cannot clear inside the app. If an app is using several gigabytes of data, delete it and reinstall it from the App Store. Check first that your data is saved in the app’s account or in iCloud.

8. Restart and update to shrink System Data

You cannot delete System Data directly. Restarting the iPhone and installing the latest iOS update, once you have freed enough room, often reduces it.

Frequently asked questions

Why is System Data so large?

It includes caches, logs and temporary files. A restart, an update and removing large apps usually shrink it.

Will deleting an app delete its data?

Deleting an app removes its data. Offloading keeps it. Choose offload when you may want the app back.

My iPhone is full and I cannot update. What now?

Free space with steps 2 to 5, then retry. If the update still fails, see how to fix an iPhone stuck on the Apple logo for computer-based update steps.

When to contact support

If storage looks full but you have almost no apps or photos, back up the phone and contact Apple Support. Apple’s iPhone Support site has more help.