Running out of space on your iOS device can be frustrating, especially when trying to update your operating system or download new apps. However, before considering buying a new phone with more memory, follow these simple steps to free up space and make smart decisions about what to keep and what to delete.
Step 1: Check Your Total Usage
To begin, assess how much space you currently have available on your device. Navigate to Settings > General > [device] Storage. A color-coded bar chart will show the space occupied by various categories of apps. For updating iOS, aim for at least 6GB of free space, and for general use, keep at least 2GB free.
Step 2: Identify Space-Consuming Apps
Scroll down on the Storage page to find a list of all your apps ranked by their space consumption. Some apps may not consume much space themselves, but the data they store can be significant. Identify apps with unnecessary data that you no longer use.
Step 3: Delete or Offload Unused Apps
Remove apps you no longer use by tapping them and selecting “Delete App.” Alternatively, you can offload apps temporarily without losing their settings by going to Settings > App Store > Offload Unused Apps.
Step 4: Manage Photos and Videos
Photos and videos often take up substantial space. Consider using cloud storage services like Google Photos to back up your media and delete them from your device. To enable this, go to Settings > Photos > Optimize iPhone Storage.
Step 5: Consider Streamlined Music Storage
If music occupies a significant portion of your storage, delete albums or tracks you don’t listen to. For a more streamlined approach, consider using music-streaming services like Spotify.
Step 6: Clear Browser Cache
To free up some extra space, clear your browser’s cache. For Safari, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. For Chrome, navigate to Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data.
Step 7: Address the “Other” Category
If you still encounter the “Other” category occupying space, it’s mostly cache from various sources. To reduce it, uninstall and reinstall apps with significant data. Additionally, review and delete cached items from Messages and downloaded videos.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can efficiently manage your iOS device’s storage and avoid the need to rush into buying a new phone. Keep your iPhone or iPad less cluttered and more organized, making it easier to update and download apps without any storage obstacles.
