Phone says storage is full but won't let me delete anything

I don't even know where to start the issues with this phone, which is an iPhone X that I got about a year ago. First, it always pops up the "iPhone Storage is Full" all of the time and whenever I go to delete some of the very few things I have on this phone, whatever I delete ends up popping back up. For example, I'll go to delete some images and videos and then when I go back a few minutes later to delete more things because the phone still isn't working, the images and videos I had deleted are there again after they had been deleted and I have done this multiple times and I know that I am deleting these images (the correct way.) Another issue with this phone is that while I am on it and in an app it will randomly crash or not load anything, I don't understand how the lack of storage available can make the phone have as many issues that it does. I think Apple has great products which is why I continue to buy Apple products, however, the issues I have had make simple tasks very difficult and increases the amount of time I spend on my phone just to fix it. I know everything has it's issues, but the phone literally does not work and doesn't function.

iPhone X, iOS 13

Posted on Apr 20, 2020 8:09 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 20, 2020 8:25 PM

If you are out of storage on your iPhone, it makes sense things like apps won't operate well. For the phone to operate properly, it needs to have a good deal of free space.


As to your returning photos, how did they get on your phone in the first place? If they were, for example synced from your home computer, you can't delete them directly on the phone. You'd have to unsync them using your computer. If the photos are photos you took directly on the phone, when you delete them, go immediately to your Recently Deleted folder and permanently delete them there.


Other things you can delete are apps you don't use, text messages, notes, music, videos, email.


See this link about storage on your phone --> How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


This link is about managing photo and video storage --> Manage your photo and video storage - Apple Support


Finally, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and see how large Other is. If Other has become bloated, you may need to do a backup, then restore your phone to reduce that.

Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 20, 2020 8:25 PM in response to lexieb05

If you are out of storage on your iPhone, it makes sense things like apps won't operate well. For the phone to operate properly, it needs to have a good deal of free space.


As to your returning photos, how did they get on your phone in the first place? If they were, for example synced from your home computer, you can't delete them directly on the phone. You'd have to unsync them using your computer. If the photos are photos you took directly on the phone, when you delete them, go immediately to your Recently Deleted folder and permanently delete them there.


Other things you can delete are apps you don't use, text messages, notes, music, videos, email.


See this link about storage on your phone --> How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


This link is about managing photo and video storage --> Manage your photo and video storage - Apple Support


Finally, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and see how large Other is. If Other has become bloated, you may need to do a backup, then restore your phone to reduce that.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Phone says storage is full but won't let me delete anything

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.