The photos, music, apps, and other content that you use and enjoy on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch take up space on your device’s storage capacity. And your device can fill up quickly depending on the size of its storage capacity and how much content you have. If you see a message that your storage is full, you can free up space by managing your photo and video storage.
Check to see how much storage you have
You can see how much storage you have left on your device and in iCloud, and which apps use the most space.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Storage & iCloud Usage.
Storage shows how much space you have left on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. And iCloud shows you how much space you have left in the cloud and if you need to upgrade your storage plan.
Store your photos and videos in iCloud
Your photos and videos are stored on your device in their original, high-resolution version. This means that they use a lot of space on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. With iCloud Photo Library, you can make more space available on your device and have your entire collection, everywhere you go.
Get started with iCloud Photo Library:
- Tap Settings > iCloud > Photos.
- Turn on iCloud Photo Library.
- Select Optimize iPhone Storage to make more space on your device.
With Optimize Storage, smaller, space-saving photos and videos are kept on your device while all of your original, full-resolution versions are stored in iCloud. And as long as you have enough space in iCloud, you can store as many photos and videos as you want.
If you need more storage
When you sign up for iCloud, you automatically get 5 GB of free storage. If you use all of your iCloud storage and need to buy more, you can get 50 GB for $0.99 a month, 200 GB for $2.99 a month, or 1 TB for $9.99 a month in the U.S. Learn more about iCloud storage prices in your region.
If your iPhone storage capacity is full, you can make more room. Just transfer the photos and videos that you don't want to store in iCloud to your computer.
If you need more help with your storage plan—for example, if you bought more storage but you don't see it in your account—contact Apple Support.
Learn more
- You can quickly upgrade your iCloud storage plan when you go to your Settings or System Preferences and choose iCloud.
- Learn how to make space on your device by deleting photos.