Noah Johnson
Dec 24, 2023
Amidst the holiday tech tips, here are some essential iOS settings that could help you reclaim valuable space on your iPhone, allowing for smoother software updates, increased storage for photos and videos, and room for more apps.
How to free storage on iPhone
Here's a breakdown:
Optimising Photos and Videos
Freeing up space while preserving your cherished memories is possible by optimising the photos and videos already stored on your device. By default, your iPhone saves every photo and video in full resolution, which can consume substantial storage space, especially if captured in high resolution.
To optimise these files, navigate to Settings > Photos and toggle on "Optimize iPhone Storage." This feature works in tandem with the iCloud Photos setting. While the full-resolution media transfers to your iCloud, smaller versions are retained on your device, significantly reducing storage usage. Accessing higher-resolution files is feasible by downloading them from the Photos app, although requiring a decent internet connection. However, recently captured media might already exist in full resolution, saving you from downloading each file.
Supplementing iCloud Storage
Should you encounter iCloud storage limitations, consider upgrading your plan, a more convenient option compared to acquiring a new device. In the US, plans start at $1 a month for 50GB, escalating to 200GB for $3 a month or 2TB for $10 monthly. Prices may vary by region.
To upgrade, access Settings > (your name) > iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Buy More Storage. Follow the prompts to select a suitable plan. Upgrading to any paid iCloud subscription grants access to iCloud+, providing additional features like iCloud Private Relay and Hide My Email.
Offloading apps for extra space
Many apps on your iPhone likely remain unused or are seldom accessed. Consider offloading apps temporarily to create space for software updates. Notably, offloading is a middle ground between keeping and deleting apps.
Head to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to identify storage-hogging apps. Note that certain pre-installed apps, such as Photos and Messages, can't be offloaded. For sizable apps, tap "Offload App," removing the app while retaining its documents and data. Repeat this process for other apps as needed.
Once offloaded, you can regain space for software downloads. However, remember that the offloaded app remains inaccessible until re-downloaded. Retrieve it from the App Library by tapping the iCloud icon or tap the app icon directly on the home screen to reinstall it, maintaining previous user data without requiring re-sign-in.
