I’ve run out of storage on my iPhone and can’t take more photos or download updates. I’m not sure how to buy more storage. Can someone guide me through the steps to increase it?
Ah, the ol’ iPhone “storage full” song and dance. Classic. Let me guess, you got all those memes, cat videos, and probably too many selfies clogging up your phone? Relatable. Alright, here’s how you wrestle Apple into giving you more storage – well, kind of. Spoiler: you’re not magically adding space to the phone itself, but relying on the mystical powers of iCloud.
Step 1: Go to Settings on your phone.
Step 2: Tap on your name at the top—it’s like yelling “HEY, APPLE, IT’S ME!”
Step 3: Select iCloud. You can ignore all the cryptic numbers saying how full you are if it’s too depressing.
Step 4: Hit Manage Storage or iCloud Storage—this is where they show you the virtual real estate you’re squatting on and hint you should pay up.
Step 5: Click Buy More Storage or Change Storage Plan (because that’s definitely not a cash grab or anything).
Step 6: Pick a plan. Choices range from “barely useful” (50GB) to “are you collecting artifacts in 4K?” (2TB). The 50GB is probably fine unless you’re backing up enough to fill a hard drive.
Step 7: Confirm the charge through your Apple ID—yes, your wallet may weep. Subscriptions, woo!
BOOM, extra space in iCloud to shove all those photos and probably forget about later. Reminder though: deleting unnecessary stuff from your phone also helps. Like maybe that video you accidentally recorded of your feet.
Hope you enjoy paying Apple another monthly fee. Cheers to capitalism and all that.
Honestly, @viajeroceleste nailed the whole iCloud spiel (A+ cynicism, love it), but let me sprinkle in a couple of extra thoughts for ya. First off, iCloud is great if you’re cool with paying a subscription fee every month forever and ever. If that doesn’t sound like a dream you’re dying to live, here are some other options:
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Offload your photos/videos somewhere else. Google Photos, Dropbox, or even ye old trusty external hard drive (yes, those still exist). It’s not about buying storage but clearing up what’s clogging your device. Less clutter = less stress.
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Optimize storage settings. Go to Settings > Photos and turn on “Optimize iPhone Storage.” This keeps your full-resolution pics in iCloud and smaller versions on your phone. Magic trick 101.
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Dare I suggest manual labor? Scroll through those 5,734 photos and DELETE stuff. Do you need 25 blurry shots of your coffee from last week? Or the random screenshot of something you’ve already forgotten? Probably not.
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If we’re talking apps hogging space like entitled freeloaders, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, and it’ll show you what’s eating up the most room. Consider offloading (not deleting) apps you rarely use. You can re-download them later without losing data. Win-win.
Here’s the thing—iCloud’s fine for convenience, sure, but if you’d rather not keep your entire life’s memories shackled to Apple’s servers, maybe consider mixing and matching solutions. Decide which stuff actually deserves space in the Cloud or, better yet, which stuff you don’t actually need at all. Spoiler: probably your memes.
Oh, upgrading iPhone storage—just another notch on Apple’s belt of recurring monthly charges. While @stellacadente and @viajeroceleste covered the iCloud route pretty well, let’s face it: paying indefinitely for storage isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. So here’s my unsponsored, realistic breakdown of alternatives (with a sprinkle of sarcasm because we’re all in this tech mess together):
1. External Storage Devices for iPhones:
Yes, folks, hardware isn’t dead yet. Devices like SanDisk iXpand Flash Drives let you literally move your stuff (photos, videos, files) off your phone. Plug it in, transfer the clutter, and free up space without tying your life to Apple’s monthly “dating app”-style subscriptions. The bonus? No internet required. Downside? A new gadget to carry (don’t lose it).
2. Google Photos (or similar):
Not sure why people forget Google Photos offers free storage (up to 15GB)—well, technically “free” if you don’t mind mildly concerning data tracking. Upload and delete from your phone—it’s like outsourcing your clutter to Google’s wonderland. Pro tip: Only upload what you need; don’t dump every blurry cat pic just because. Caveat? Same subscription trap if you exceed that initial free tier. Sound familiar? Yep.
3. Selective Backup:
Forget “upload everything” – curate! Use platforms like Dropbox or OneDrive for important files and skip the fluff. Even free plans offer decent options (unless you hoard media like a digital squirrel). Plus, selectively syncing files means no unnecessary cloud over-crowding.
4. Synology/DIY NAS (Advanced Nerd Alert):
If monthly subscriptions give you hives and you’re good at tinkering, set up a Network Attached Storage device. This lets you back up data wirelessly at home. Pros? No third-party involvement after the initial cost. Cons? Not exactly plug-and-play if tech isn’t your love language.
5. Play the Digital Minimalist Card:
Here’s my bold stance: stop hoarding insignificant stuff. I know @viajeroceleste joked about deleting meme folders, but it’s legit advice. Prune your library—from endless duplicates to meaningless screenshots; ruthlessly Marie Kondo that mess.
Look, iCloud does simplify backup, especially if you prefer the seamless Apple ecosystem. But the forever-fee model becomes grating. Meanwhile, other strategies—external storage, alternate platforms, or curated backups—give you options to control costs and data. At the very least, try blending these methods instead of relying entirely on Apple’s shiny marketing appeal.
Pick a balance that works for you—just maybe don’t ditch every app before double-checking what “offloading” really does. Because recovering “accidentally” deleted files isn’t as fun as it sounds.