As someone who wants to maximize the potential of their iPhone, nothing is more terrifying than having an error that says “Not Enough Storage”. Not only does it mean you have no more space to copy your files in, but the performance of your iPhone is also compromised the fewer space your phone has.
That’s why you decided to check if there are some files that can be deleted. But now that you take a look at it, you actually have nothing to spare. You really need your files to stay the way it is now, but what are you going to do with the “Not Enough Storage” error? That’s where we come in.
Today we’re going to look at the different ways to save space and in turn solve the infamous error message, “Not Enough Storage” once and for all.
Different Types of Files that Take Up Storage SpaceMethod 1: Found A New Backup FileMethod 2: Free Up Space in MessagesMethod 3: Delete Old Backup FilesMethod 4: Optimize Your ApplicationsMethod 5: Move Files to iCloud Storage
To start, let’s talk about what files can take up storage space.
Different Types of Files that Take Up Storage Space
There are several files that can be contained by your phone, but there are specific types that have a more significant contribution to the iPhone storage problem you’re having now.
Here’s a look at the types of files that mainly takes up the space of your iPhone:
- Operating System Files: While you may not be able to do anything to modify this type of files, you can always clear the cache to at least lessen the burden your phone carries.
- Games: Game applications are the most storage-hungry apps there can be. It can consist of gigabytes of data and as time passes by, updates come crashing in that will also increase the storage consumed.
- Movies: Videos consume a decent amount of space. The size depends mainly on the length and quality. Since movies are long, they are typically storage-hungry especially the high-quality ones.
- Music: It might not be a problem if you have a few of them, but you’ll really notice the difference when you have tens or hundreds of them. Their sheer number is what makes up the vast size they take up.
- Photos: The same with music files, photos will bring a significant change in your storage space if you have lots of them.
Now that you know the different kinds of files that take up space, you should already be aware of how you can manually solve the iPhone storage problem.
Method 1: Found A New Backup File
The FoneDog Toolkit - iOS Toolkit has an iOS Data Backup and Restore feature included in it. It’s free software that allows you to modify your system, be it iOS, Windows, Mac, and more.
Gaining access to its multitudes of benefits is easy. Simply download the software here, install it, and you’re all good to go.
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Method 2: Free Up Space in Messages
Freeing up space manually to solve your iPhone storage problem can be a bit tiresome and time-consuming. Only those with much time will really rely on this method.
Regardless, it’s one of the safest ways with no risks involved. So it’s actually a very viable option. Here are three ways to go about it.
Automatically Delete Messages
The sheer amount of messages can bring about the iPhone storage problem. Remember this when sending and receiving messages to your loved ones.
While this is bad news, there’s actually an easy fix for it. You simply need to follow these steps:
- Go to your Settings app.
- Tap Messages.
- Find the Message History area and tap Keep Messages.
- You’ll find Forever to be chosen by default. You can choose between the options, but we recommend choosing 30 days.
This will be the time before an old message gets automatically deleted as to avoid having a pile of unnecessary messages that take up your space.
- Choose Delete if you are asked to delete older messages.
Delete Images and Videos in Messages
Sometimes, you have important messages that have unimportant attachments like videos and photos. Follow these steps to delete attachments in your messages:
- Open your Messages app.
- Tap on any message with an attachment.
- Press and hold the attachment. You will be given many options.
- Choose More.
- Tap on the Delete button.
If you want to delete multiple attachments, after pressing and holding an attachment, simply check the additional photos or videos you want to delete.
This is only one manual fix of the iPhone storage problem. There are, in fact, many more ways, such as deleting old backup files.
Method 3: Delete Old Backup Files
At some point, you probably created an iCloud backup in your iPhone. Perhaps it’s for emergencies in case you delete your files unintentionally.
Regardless, there is bound to be a backup in your iCloud app that you no longer need. This is where deleting old backup files come in handy. Take a look at the following steps on how to do this:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on the Apple ID on the top of the Settings screen.
- Tap on the iCloud app.
- Locate and tap on Manage Storage.
- Press Backup.
- Tap Delete Backup located at the bottom.
- Choose Turn Off & Delete.
After this, you will no longer have backups in your iCloud app and have more storage space available on your iPhone. But again, there’s still a way to solve the iPhone storage problem.
Method 4: Optimize Your Applications
Managing the data of your applications is another way to solve your iPhone storage problem. It’s a fairly simple task if you know your way with iOS. Here’s a look at how you can manage your app’s data.
Clear the Data of Your Apps
This is more known as offloading. Again, it’s a fairly simple task. Just follow these following steps:
- Tap Settings.
- Choose General.
- Tap on iPhone Storage.
- You will then see a list of apps. Just click on whichever you want to clear the data first. Then tap on Offload App and the data or cache will automatically be deleted.
If you don’t want all the data of your app to be deleted, there’s another way.
Minimize Usage of Storage-Hungry Apps
You just have to make sure you don’t abuse apps that you know are storage-hungry or apps that take up the most space.
Uninstall Unused Apps
If you think there are unnecessary apps too, we recommend you delete them as well. You don’t have to give them shelter in your phone if they’re only going to cause iPhone storage problems.
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Method 5: Move Files to iCloud Storage
In some cases, your files are not necessary at the moment. That’s when you might think of deleting them now and restoring them later. This is when the iCloud comes in handy.
Moving files to your iCloud Storage from the iPhone storage isn’t a difficult task. Just follow these steps and you’ll be good to go:
- Launch your Settings app.
- Tap on iCloud.
- Tap Account.
- Sign in to your iCloud account. If you don’t have one, you can create one yourself.
- Turn on the Back Up to iCloud option.
- Choose Back Up Now.
Your files will then have backups in your iCloud account. If you are to delete your files, you can always restore them if you have the internet to download files from iCloud.
However, the iCloud requires you to pay an upfront monthly fee that depends on the features you can use. This is why we recommend using a third-party software to do the job for you for free.
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The infamous iPhone storage problem error is very annoying. Plus, it reminds you how bad your phone’s system is. It’s only natural for you to look for ways to fix it.
Fortunately, here you learned about many ways to do it, both with and without external help. However, you should understand that having the assistance of third-party software such as the FoneDog Toolkit - iOS Toolkit makes the job easier.
You don’t have to save space manually by deleting files, optimizing apps, and more. You simply have to do a click there and a click here and you’re all good.
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