How to clear storage on your iPhone

Running out of storage on your iPhone can be frustrating. Whether you're trying to take more photos, download a new app or update your software, seeing the dreaded "Storage Almost Full" notification is never fun.

The good news is that there are several simple ways to free up space without losing important files. In this guide, we'll show you how to clear storage on iPhone, how to get more storage, how to clear iCloud storage and how to reduce some of that ‘system data’ that may be taking up valuable space.

Check What's Using Your iPhone Storage

Before deleting anything, it's worth checking exactly what's taking up space on your device.

To view your storage:

1. Open Settings

2. Tap General

3. Select iPhone Storage

You'll see a breakdown showing how much space is being used by apps, photos, media, messages and system files. This can help you identify where the biggest savings can be made.

How to Clear Storage on iPhone

Delete Apps You No Longer Use

Many of us download apps and forget about them. Over time, these apps can consume significant storage space.

If you may need the app again in future, consider using the "Offload App" option instead, which removes the app while keeping its data.

Remove Old Photos and Videos

Photos and videos are often the largest contributors to storage usage.

Review your camera roll and delete:

• Duplicate photos

• Blurry images

• Old screenshots

• Large videos you no longer need

Don't forget to empty the Recently Deleted folder afterwards, as deleted files continue to take up space for 30 days. There are even apps that help make this process easier now, though they often require some type of subscription payment.

Clear Downloads

Downloaded content from streaming apps such as Netflix, Spotify and YouTube can quickly fill your storage. Removing old downloads can free up several gigabytes almost instantly.

Delete Large Message Attachments

Photos, videos and GIFs shared through Messages can accumulate over time.

Head to:

Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Messages

Here you'll find large attachments that can be reviewed and removed to free up some extra space.

How to Get More Storage on iPhone

If you've already cleared unnecessary files, there are still ways to create even more space.

Enable Optimise iPhone Storage

If you use iCloud Photos, enabling Optimise iPhone Storage allows your device to store smaller versions of your photos while keeping the full-resolution originals in iCloud.

To turn it on:

Settings > Photos > Optimise iPhone Storage

For many users, this is one of the easiest ways to get more storage on an iPhone without deleting precious memories.

Use Cloud Storage Services

Moving large files to cloud storage can also help free up space.

Popular options include:

• iCloud Drive

• Google Drive

• Dropbox

• OneDrive

These services allow you to access your files while reducing the amount of storage used directly on your device.

How to Clear System Data on iPhone

Most users are surprised to discover that "System Data" is taking up several gigabytes of storage.

System Data includes cached files, logs, temporary files and other information that helps iOS run efficiently. However, it can sometimes grow larger than expected.

While Apple doesn't provide a dedicated button to clear System Data, you can often reduce it by:

Clearing Safari Data

Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data

This removes cached website files that may be contributing to storage usage.

Restarting Your iPhone

A simple restart can clear temporary files and reduce the storage being used by background processes.

Updating iOS

Apple regularly improves storage management through software updates, so keeping your device up to date can help reduce unnecessary System Data.

How to Clear iCloud Storage on iPhone

If you've received a warning that your iCloud storage is full, you'll need to review what's being stored in your account.

To check:

1. Open Settings

2. Tap your Apple ID

3. Select iCloud

4. Tap Manage Account Storage

You'll see a breakdown of how your iCloud storage is being used.

Common causes of full iCloud storage include:

• Device backups

• Photos

• Messages

• Files stored in iCloud Drive

Removing old or unnecessary files can help free up space and allow backups to continue running successfully.

How to Delete Old Backups on iCloud

Old iPhone backups are one of the biggest reasons users run out of iCloud storage.

If you've upgraded your device over the years, you may still have backups stored for iPhones you no longer own.

To delete old backups:

1. Open Settings

2. Tap your Apple ID

3. Select iCloud

4. Tap Manage Account Storage

5. Choose Backups

6. Select an old device backup

7. Tap Delete Backup

Before removing a backup, make sure you no longer need the data associated with that device.

Deleting outdated backups can often free up several gigabytes of storage immediately.

Keep Your iPhone Storage Under Control

Regular storage maintenance can prevent your iPhone from becoming cluttered in the future.

A few simple habits can make a big difference:

• Delete unused apps regularly

• Remove old screenshots and videos

• Clear downloads when finished

• Review large message attachments

• Keep iOS updated

• Delete outdated iCloud backups

Taking a few minutes each month to review your storage can help keep your iPhone running smoothly and ensure you always have room for the things that matter most.

Why is my iPhone storage full even though I have iCloud?

iCloud storage and iPhone storage are separate. Even if you have available iCloud storage, files can still be stored locally on your device.

What's the quickest way to free up storage on an iPhone?

Deleting large videos, unused apps and downloaded content typically provides the fastest results.

Can I delete old iCloud backups?

Yes, provided you no longer need the data from the device being backed up.

What is System Data on iPhone?

System Data includes caches, logs, temporary files and other information used by iOS to operate efficiently.

How often should I clear iPhone storage?

Reviewing your storage every month or two can help prevent issues before they become a problem.