Guide 9a · Settings
iPhone How-To Guide • StorageStorage Almost Full again? Here is how to see what is eating space and clear it without losing what matters.
Works on: Every iPhone on a recent iOS. The menu names may differ a little on older versions.
See What Is Using Space
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap iPhone Storage. Wait a moment for the bar to load.
- Look at the list. The biggest apps are at the top.
Free Up Space
- Check the tips under the bar. Tap Enable on any you like, such as removing old messages.
- Tap a big app you rarely use, then tap Offload App. This keeps your data and lets you reinstall later.
- In Photos, open Albums, then Recently Deleted, and empty it. Deleted photos still use space for 30 days until you do.
- Delete big videos you have already backed up.
Apple Intelligence Uses Space Too
On iPhones that support Apple Intelligence, its files can take up to about 8 GB, and more on models that use Apple's larger on-device models, like iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air. If you don't use it, turning Apple Intelligence off frees that space. Turning it back on downloads the files again. Source: Apple.
System Data Huge?
System Data (once called Other) includes caches and logs. It often shrinks on its own. A restart can help it clear.
Before you delete anything important, make a backup. If a full phone is already stuck on the Apple logo, try recovery mode: iPhone 8, SE (2nd/3rd gen) and Face ID models, iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, or iPhone 6s, SE (1st gen) and older.
Source: How to check the storage on your iPhone and iPad (Apple Support, checked Oct 18, 2026).
Next step: 10a Back Up Your iPhone
If this didn't fix it: iPhone Diagnostics
Related: 9b Keyboard Lag · 4b Battery Draining Fast
Still stuck? Call or text (720) 413-8150 or book an appointment. It's a home-based shop, so please call or text before you head over.
Franchitti's Fix LLC is an independent repair shop, not affiliated with Apple.