Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
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Many iPhone users underestimate just how quickly their device’s storage becomes full. Between capturing endless high-resolution photos and videos, downloading apps, and letting cached browser data or system files quietly accumulate, that frustrating \”Storage Full\” message can appear sooner than expected. Fortunately, regaining control of your device’s space doesn’t have to mean deleting everything you cherish. Purchasing additional iCloud+ storage is an option, but it is far from a necessity—Apple’s iOS actually provides a variety of built-in tools that allow users to reclaim valuable space for free. Below are the methods I personally rely on most often, which work for iOS 26 and earlier versions.
1. Examine System Data Utilization
Before proceeding with wholesale deletions, it’s critical to identify exactly where your storage is being consumed. System Data—the behind-the-scenes files managed by iOS—can unexpectedly swell into gigabytes of used space without explicit warning. This portion of storage primarily includes cached files, temporary data, and logs that support system functions. To evaluate this:
– Navigate to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
– Scroll to the bottom where \”System Data\” is displayed.
– If its size appears excessively large, close all open applications and restart your iPhone.
System Data continuously fluctuates; some users report seeing it expand as much as 30GB before retracting overnight by 10GB or more. You cannot manually empty this segment, but by quitting unnecessary apps and rebooting your device, iOS often purges temporary elements. In one recent check, my System Data measured 17GB—after closing applications and restarting, it reduced to 12GB, instantly freeing five gigabytes of space without erasing any personal content.
2. Offload or Remove Unused Applications
Among the iPhone’s lesser-known yet remarkably practical features is the ability to offload apps. This process removes an app’s executable file from your phone while securely maintaining associated documents, settings, and login credentials in iCloud. Thus, if you reinstall later, your previous data seamlessly resurfaces. To offload:
– Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
– Locate large or rarely used applications.
– Tap an app and choose \”Offload App,\” or delete it entirely if desired.
For example, I recently offloaded GarageBand, which consumed over a gigabyte of space. Deleting an application, by contrast, eradicates both the app and its associated data permanently, offering maximum space recovery but no automatic restoration. A thoughtful guideline: offload apps you might soon revisit; delete the ones you have truly left behind.
3. Clear Cached Data Across Your iPhone
Over time, cached data—temporary files intended to speed up app performance—can paradoxically drag down both storage and efficiency. While iOS does not include a universal \”clear cache\” button, several applications, notably Safari, Chrome, and Snapchat, allow targeted cache deletion. This can refresh functionality, reduce lag, and reclaim measurable space.
– For Safari: Access Settings > Apps > Safari > Website Data > Remove All Website Data, then select Remove Now.
– For Chrome: Open Chrome, tap the three dots > Settings > Privacy and Security > Delete Browsing Data, then select Browsing History and Cached Images and Files.
– For other apps like Snapchat, navigate to Profile > Settings > My Privacy and Data > Clear Data > Clear Cache.
– Afterward, restart the iPhone to flush additional temporary system files.
Repeating this maintenance periodically keeps performance stable and prevents excessive storage bloat.
4. Delete Redundant Photos and Videos
Photos and videos typically represent the largest contributors to diminishing iPhone storage. Burst photos, endless screenshots, slow-motion clips, memes, downloads, and duplicate media all accumulate rapidly—especially when you shoot at 4K resolution. Regularly dedicating a few minutes to purging unnecessary items can dramatically restore available capacity.
– Open Photos > Collections.
– Scroll to Media Types (e.g., Bursts, Screenshots, or Screen Recordings).
– Tap Select, highlight unwanted items, and tap the Trash icon.
– Visit Utilities within Photos > Duplicates to remove automatically detected copies.
– Finally, delete them permanently from \”Recently Deleted.\”
For a more manageable habit, use the Photos search bar to find images taken on this calendar date in past years and clean just those. Over weeks, this small yet consistent action transforms a cluttered camera roll into a well-organized library without overwhelming your schedule.
5. Optimize Photo Storage with iCloud
Apple includes an intelligently designed feature—Optimize iPhone Storage—accessible even with the free tier of iCloud+. Once enabled, full-resolution images and videos reside in iCloud while lightweight, device-optimized versions remain on the phone, appearing identical at first glance. When you open a file, the iPhone seamlessly retrieves its high-quality version on demand.
To activate it:
– Go to Settings > Apps > Photos.
– Toggle on iCloud Photos.
– Select Optimize iPhone Storage.
Do note, however, that using this feature counts toward your iCloud quota. If your cloud storage becomes constrained, upgrading your plan may eventually be required.
6. Transfer Files Off Your Device
If cloud storage doesn’t fit your preferences or budget, relocating data to an external location remains an equally effective approach. Offloading large media files, documents, or project data onto another device can swiftly declutter local capacity.
– Using AirDrop: In Photos, select the items to transfer > Share > AirDrop > choose your Mac.
– To use an external USB or Lightning-compatible drive: In Files, locate desired folders > tap and hold > Move > select the connected drive > confirm.
After verifying your transfer, delete the originals from your iPhone. This process mirrors moving physical files into a secure archive, ensuring immediate relief for limited storage while retaining accessible backups elsewhere.
7. Review and Remove Large Message Attachments
Another surprisingly common source of digital clutter is hidden within Message threads—attachments such as photos, GIFs, short videos, and shared documents. These files quietly accumulate and often escape notice because they exist within conversations rather than the Photos app.
– Navigate to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Review Large Attachments.
– Examine the listed media sorted by size, then remove unnecessary items directly.
This consolidated view spares you from digging through individual chats and conveniently spotlights space-hungry attachments instantly.
8. When Necessary, Upgrade iCloud+ Storage
In certain cases, the only realistic solution is acquiring additional iCloud storage capacity. While this option does not expand your phone’s physical memory, it integrates seamlessly with the optimization settings noted earlier to maximize usable space. Pricing begins at $0.99 per month for 50GB, progressing through larger tiers—200GB at $2.99, 2TB at $9.99, and higher enterprise-level packages up to 12TB. For context, my personal 2TB plan handles roughly a quarter utilization, largely from cloud-synced photos.
Supplementary Questions
Should you try third-party cleaning apps? While some users, including ZDNET’s Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, recommend reputable options such as CleanMyPhone, built-in iOS tools typically achieve comparable results safely and transparently.
Does restarting actually recover space? Occasionally, yes—particularly when system caches expand beyond normal bounds.
Should you purchase a new iPhone? That remains the most expensive but definitive fix for chronic storage issues. A new device with larger capacity ensures longevity and eliminates ongoing constraints. ZDNET’s comprehensive comparison of current iPhone models can help determine the model best aligned with your usage and budget.
Ultimately, whether through optimization, offloading, cache cleansing, or selective upgrades, reclaiming storage on your iPhone is entirely achievable without compromising data you value or resorting immediately to additional paid services.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-get-more-iphone-storage-for-free/
