At a Glance
- Optimize photos/videos in Settings > Photos to shrink on-device files while originals stay in iCloud
- Offload unused apps via Settings > General > iPhone Storage to dump the app but keep its data
- Upgrading iCloud starts at $1/month for 50 GB if you need more cloud space
Why it matters: These built-in iOS tools free gigabytes without deleting memories or buying a new phone.
Running low on iPhone storage can stall updates, stop new photos, and ruin your day. Two lesser-known iOS settings clear hidden clutter yet preserve every shot, message, and login. Both tricks live inside Settings and need only a few taps.
Optimize photos to shrink local files
Every photo and video saves at full resolution by default. A single minute of 4K/60 fps footage eats roughly 400 MB-half a gigabyte gone in sixty seconds.
Toggle on Settings > Photos > Optimize iPhone Storage (iCloud Photos must be on above it). Full-resolution originals upload to iCloud; smaller placeholders stay on the phone. Open any shot in the Photos app and it re-downloads the full file on demand.
Expect the first optimization to take time if your library is large, but the freed space is immediate. Recent captures may stay full-res locally, so day-to-day shots stay snappy.
Need more cloud room? US pricing is $0.99/month for 50 GB, $2.99 for 200 GB, or $9.99 for 2 TB. Upgrade path: Settings > (your name) > iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Buy More Storage. Paid tiers also unlock iCloud Private Relay and Hide My Email.
Offload apps but keep their data
Most iPhones hold apps that launch once a year-airline portals, camera add-ons, beat-makers. Offloading removes only the app binary; documents, settings, and caches remain.
Head to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. The list shows each app’s total footprint-App Size plus Documents & Data. Tap a heavy app you rarely open, hit Offload App, then confirm again. The icon stays on the Home Screen or App Library with a tiny cloud badge; tap to re-download and pick up exactly where you left off-no fresh login required.
Built-in apps like Photos and Messages cannot be offloaded, but third-party giants can yield quick wins. A major iOS update can demand a little over 5 GB; offloading a handful of games or social apps usually clears enough runway.
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Optimize Photos | Saves ~50-70% of photo/video space locally |
| Offload 5 GB of apps | Instantly frees 5 GB for updates or new media |
| $1 iCloud upgrade | Adds 50 GB cloud storage for backups and originals |
Key takeaways
- Optimization and offloading are reversible-nothing is permanently lost.
- Both tools live inside Settings and cost nothing extra.
- If local storage stays tight, a dollar a month buys 50 GB of cloud headroom.
Use these two settings before paying for a pricier iPhone or deleting memories.
