How to fix “Storage almost full” on iPhone

Complete guide with multiple methods and troubleshooting

7-10 min read
Expert Verified
Last Updated: August 2025

Quick Answer

To fix the 'Storage almost full' message on your iPhone, you can delete unnecessary files, optimize storage settings, or use cloud services to free up space. Regular maintenance and management of your device's storage can help prevent this issue from recurring.

Easy⏱ 7-10 min read

Prerequisites & Requirements

Before attempting to resolve the storage issue, ensure you have the following:
  • •An iPhone running iOS 14 or later for optimal features.
  • •Access to Wi-Fi for downloading apps or backing up data.
  • •Sufficient battery charge or connect your device to a power source.
  • •Important data should be backed up to iCloud or a computer.

Method 1: Manage Storage Settings

This method is useful for quickly identifying and removing large files or apps that you no longer need.
  • •Step 1: Open the Settings app by tapping the gear icon on your home screen.
  • •Step 2: Scroll down and tap on 'General'.
  • •Step 3: Tap on 'iPhone Storage'. You will see a list of apps and the amount of storage each uses.
  • •Step 4: Tap on an app to see more details and options to 'Delete App' or 'Offload App'.
  • •Step 5: To verify it worked, check the total storage available at the top of the iPhone Storage screen.
  • •Step 6: If storage is still full, repeat the process for other apps or files.

For iOS 15 and later

iOS 15 introduced new features for managing storage.
  • •Use 'Recommendations' at the top of the iPhone Storage screen for suggestions on optimizing storage.
  • •Enable 'Optimize Photos' to save space by storing full-resolution photos in iCloud.

For iOS 14 and earlier

Older versions may not have all the features of iOS 15.
  • •Manually delete large files or apps as the Recommendations feature is not available.
  • •Consider using third-party apps to analyze storage usage.

Method 2: Use iCloud for Storage Management

Using iCloud can help offload files and free up local storage on your device.
  • •Step 1: Open the Settings app and tap on your name at the top.
  • •Step 2: Tap on 'iCloud' and then 'Manage Storage'.
  • •Step 3: Choose which apps to back up to iCloud and toggle off those you don't need.
  • •Step 4: Enable 'iCloud Photos' to store photos in the cloud instead of on your device.
  • •Step 5: Verify by checking the available storage in 'iPhone Storage' again.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter problems while trying to free up storage, consider the following solutions:
  • •Error: 'Cannot Delete App' - Solution: Ensure the app is not required by the system or try restarting your iPhone.
  • •Issue: 'Storage Not Updating' - Fix: Restart your iPhone to refresh the storage calculations.
  • •Problem: 'Photos Not Uploading to iCloud' - Workaround: Check your Wi-Fi connection and ensure you have enough iCloud storage available.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

For power users, here are some additional tips to manage storage effectively:
  • •Keyboard shortcut: Use 'Settings' > 'General' > 'iPhone Storage' to quickly access storage settings.
  • •Hidden feature: Enable 'Optimize Storage' under 'Music' settings to automatically remove downloaded songs when space is needed.
  • •Command line: Use Finder on macOS to access your iPhone and manage files directly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Expert Tips

Regularly monitor your storage and utilize cloud services to maintain optimal performance.