Newsroom Update

The redesigned iPad Air and new iPad Pro with Apple silicon are now available. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

More storage

I bought more storage for my iPad but it will not add it to my storage it keeps saying out of storage what do I have to do to add more storage

iPad mini, iOS 9

Posted on Mar 27, 2022 3:30 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 27, 2022 3:38 PM

Rockyrockz4 wrote:

I bought more storage for my iPad

No you did not, as that is not possible.


You likely purchased iCloud storage.

What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? - Apple Support


2 replies

Mar 27, 2022 5:03 PM in response to Rockyrockz4

iCloud storage is a supplemental, secondary, online, offsite pseudo data storage and data sync-ing and data backup service.

iCloud does NOT “magically” give your iPad more internal data storage.

Any iOS device has an internal flash memory data storage drive of a fixed amount that cannot never, EVER be increased!

If you need additional internal iPad data storage there are ONLY two things to do.

Purchase a larger data storage capacity iPad OR backup, then remove, stuff off of your existing iPad.



If you need to free up free, internal data storage space on an iPad/iDevice, you need to start by backing up your iPad to either Apple's iCloud ( you may need to pay for additional, monthly storage space ) or by connecting your iDevice to a computer running the latest iTunes or, if a newer Mac with a much newer macOS, use the macOS Finder to do the device backup and/or some other offsite, “cloud” data storage/backup services, like Google Drive/Photos, BOX, DropBox, Amazon Cloud Drive, Flickr ( for photos/images ), etc.


Then, delete any installed apps that you no longer use or use infrequently enough that they aren't missed (you can always reinstalled any purchased or free apps at some time later, as you need them).

In addition, uninstall any games that appear to be using a sizable chunk of your iPad's internal storage, as well!


( A disclaimer to the immediate advice above. )

If you own a 7-10-year old iPad, you SHOULD ONLY delete apps that you have ever seldom used or no longer use as there is NO WAY now, from 2020 onward, to retrieve these old apps from the iOS App Store, any longer.

( Third party iOS app developers have permanently removed all of their older, legacy apps from Apple's iOS App Store servers forever!

There are, VIRTUALLY, NO more older, useful, popular, third party apps for over 8-10-year old iOS devices, any longer! )



Then, thin out/delete any music/videos/movies/TV shows/podcasts/screen recordings/photos-images/eBooks/

eMagazine/iBooks/audio books/Documents/PDFs, etc.



If you use a POP email account on your iPad, delete/thin out any old saved emails that maybe saved to your iPad.


To permanently delete photos/images off of your iDevice go into the Photos app and find the Recently Deleted folder/album and permanently delete any photos/images stored in that folder/album.


Also, you can check to see what other stuff is eating up all your valuable data storage space by going into the Settings App,,General Settings Panel, in the right hand column, tap Storage & iCloud usage panel ( in iOS 11 and later, it’s now called iPad Storage ), in the top Storage Panel, tap the Manage Storage panel, wait for a list of apps to generate that will tell you how much space each app is taking up on your iDevice.


Then, for older iPad models with a Home button, do a hard reset of your iPad by holding down both the Home and sleep/wake buttons simultaneously until your iPad goes to black and restarts with Apple logo, then release the buttons.


OR



For much newer, larger screen iPad models, without a Home button, try the new hard reset procedure for the new 2018/2020 iPad Pro and iPad Air 4 models.


1. Press and release the volume UP button.


2. Then immediately press and release the Volume DOWN button.


3. Then, press and hold the sleep/wake/power button at the top. You will see the Slide to Power off button, but keep on holding down the power button until you see the Apple logo, then let it go.


Once you have performed all the steps, wait for a few seconds and your 2018 iPad Pro will boot up completely to the iPad Pro’s Lock screen.


ALL iOS/iPadOS devices need to maintain, at the very least, a minimum of between 3-6 GBs of free data storage space, AT ALL TIMES, to insure normal/nominal functionalities/operation and general overall performance of any iOS device running iOS/iPadOS.



If not all of this solves your iPad storage issues, your ONLY other option is to do a complete backup, erase and restore of your iPad model.


How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support


Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support


Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support



Good Luck to You!


More storage

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