How to Free Up iPhone Storage Quickly

by Abdulrasaq • Tech How-To • August 10, 2025

If your iPhone keeps warning “iPhone Storage Almost Full,” you can free up space in minutes without losing important files. The fastest way is to identify what’s consuming storage, then remove or optimize the biggest items first-large apps, videos, downloads, and cached data. These steps also work on iPad (look for “iPad Storage” in Settings).

What You’ll Need

Step 1 - Check What’s Using Space

Start by seeing a breakdown of everything using your storage. Apple explains how this section works here: Apple iPhone Storage Guide.

1. Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage.
2. Wait a few seconds for the graph to load.
3. Scroll to see apps listed by size-this shows where to clean first.

Step 2 - Offload Unused Apps (Keep Your Data)

Offloading deletes the app but keeps your documents so nothing important is lost.

1. Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage.
2. Enable Offload Unused Apps, or select an app → Offload App.
3. You can reinstall anytime-your data restores automatically.

Learn more from Apple: How Offload Apps Works.

Step 3 - Optimize Photos (Biggest Storage Saver)

Photos and videos take the most space on most iPhones. Turning on iCloud Photos with optimization can free several gigabytes at once.

1. Open Settings → Your Name → iCloud → Photos.
2. Turn on iCloud Photos.
3. Select Optimize iPhone Storage.
4. In Photos app, go to Albums → Recently Deleted and empty it.

Apple explains Optimize Storage here: iCloud Photos Help.

Step 4 - Remove Big Media & Offline Downloads

1. TV App: Open TV → Library → Downloaded → delete watched videos.
2. Music / Spotify / YouTube: Delete offline playlists and large audio/video downloads.
3. Podcasts: Settings → Podcasts → remove played episodes.
4. Files App: Files → On My iPhone → Downloads → clean large items.
5. WhatsApp / Telegram: Settings → Storage → review and delete large media folders.

Step 5 - Clear Safari Website Data

This removes cached web files and cookies.

1. Go to Settings → Safari.
2. Tap Clear History and Website Data.

Step 6 - Trim Messages Storage

1. Go to Settings → Messages → Keep Messages → choose 30 Days or 1 Year.
2. Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Messages → delete large attachments.

Step 7 - Reduce Future File Sizes

1. Camera → Formats: Choose High Efficiency (smaller photos/videos).
2. Camera → Record Video: Set to 1080p at 30 fps.
3. Record shorter clips and avoid high-fps slow motion unless needed.

iPad Notes

Quick Wins (1-2 Minutes)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

FAQ