How to free up storage on your iPhone

Before you start

• Your iPhone is backed up, either to iCloud or to a computer. Check in Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, where you can see the date of the last backup.
• Your iPhone is charged or plugged in.
• You know your Apple Account password, in case an app asks for it when you reinstall it later.
• You have decided which photos and videos matter most to you. If in doubt, keep them until they are safely saved somewhere else.

0 of 4 done. Ticking just helps you keep track; nothing is saved or sent.

Steps

1. 1

   See what is using the space

   Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Wait a moment for the coloured bar to load. Below it you will see recommendations and a list of apps, sorted by size. Names vary slightly between iOS versions.

2. 2

   Look at the recommendations first

   Apple often suggests options such as reviewing large attachments or offloading unused apps. Read each one carefully before you tap Enable or Delete, so you know exactly what it will remove.

3. 3

   Offload apps you rarely use

   Tap an app in the list and choose Offload App. This removes the app but keeps its documents and data, so if you reinstall it later, your information comes back. Delete App removes the data too, so use that only when you are sure.

4. 4

   Tidy up photos and videos

   Videos take far more space than photos. In the Photos app, look for long videos, screen recordings and duplicate shots you do not need. After deleting, open Albums > Recently Deleted. Items stay there for about 30 days and still use space until they are removed from that album.

5. 5

   Consider iCloud Photos

   If you use iCloud Photos, turning on Optimise iPhone Storage (in Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos) keeps smaller versions on the phone and the full versions in iCloud. You need enough iCloud storage for your library, which may require a paid iCloud plan.

6. 6

   Clear old message attachments

   Back in iPhone Storage, tap Messages. You can review large attachments such as videos and photos and delete the ones you no longer need. You can also set messages to keep for 1 year instead of forever in Settings > Messages > Keep Messages. This deletes older conversations permanently, so think carefully before changing it.

7. 7

   Restart your iPhone

   After clearing space, restart the phone so the storage figures update.

If this happens, try this

• If "System Data" or "Other" is very large

  This includes caches and temporary files. It often shrinks on its own after a restart and a day or two of normal use. Do not install "cleaner" apps that claim to remove it.

• If a streaming or podcast app is large

  Open that app and delete downloaded episodes, films or music you have already watched or listened to.

• If your storage fills up again quickly

  Check whether WhatsApp or another messaging app is saving every photo and video to your camera roll. Most apps have a setting to stop this.

• If you cannot back up because iCloud is full

  Back up to a computer instead, using Finder on a Mac or the Apple Devices app or iTunes on Windows.

Things to be careful about

• Deleting photos, videos and conversations is permanent once they leave Recently Deleted. Make sure they are backed up before you remove them.

• Changing Keep Messages to a shorter period deletes older messages straight away.

• Never "reset all content and settings" just to free space. That erases everything on the phone.

• Ignore pop-ups or adverts that say your iPhone is "full of viruses" or needs a cleaning app. These are a common trick.