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I upgraded my storage today with 200 GB. They payment went through but my phone still says “storage full” anI can’t take any pictures or download any apps

I upgraded my storage today to 200 GB. The payment went through but my phone still says “storage full”. I can’t take any pictures itch download any apps.

iPhone 11, iOS 16

Posted on Nov 25, 2022 7:39 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 25, 2022 7:42 AM

It is not possible to buy more storage for an iPhone; it will never have more than it did when you bought it. What you bought is iCloud storage that is used for backing up and also for syncing to other devices. Here is an explanation→What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? - Apple Support


iCloud+ has 2 independent functions. iCloud backups, and iCloud sync. It’s confusing because they both have the same name prefix. But they have no connection with each other. Go to Settings/[your name]/iCloud. You will see a bunch of switches (with iOS 16 also tap Show All). When you turn on a switch that data type will sync to iCloud. If you do this on multiple devices that share an Apple ID the selected data will sync to all of those devices. 


You can also turn on iCloud Backups. This will back up your phone every night if the phone is plugged in, connected to Wi-Fi and locked.


But note that anything that you sync by the first method will be excluded from the iCloud backups.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 25, 2022 7:42 AM in response to Agneshallman

It is not possible to buy more storage for an iPhone; it will never have more than it did when you bought it. What you bought is iCloud storage that is used for backing up and also for syncing to other devices. Here is an explanation→What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? - Apple Support


iCloud+ has 2 independent functions. iCloud backups, and iCloud sync. It’s confusing because they both have the same name prefix. But they have no connection with each other. Go to Settings/[your name]/iCloud. You will see a bunch of switches (with iOS 16 also tap Show All). When you turn on a switch that data type will sync to iCloud. If you do this on multiple devices that share an Apple ID the selected data will sync to all of those devices. 


You can also turn on iCloud Backups. This will back up your phone every night if the phone is plugged in, connected to Wi-Fi and locked.


But note that anything that you sync by the first method will be excluded from the iCloud backups.

Nov 25, 2022 7:40 AM in response to Agneshallman

You cannot increase the storage of an iPhone.

  • However, you can optimize iPhone Storage by using iCloud Storage in order to save space on your device
  • If you had turned on Messages in iCloudiCloud Photos and you delete Photos, Videos and Messages from the iPhone then it is deleted from iCloud too, and vice-versa. At the same time, it is also deleted from all the devices that use the same Apple ID.
  • And if you happen to take a backup either over iTunes or iCloud after deleting Photos, Videos & Messages all the photos and messages are deleted from the backup (iCloud/iTunes) too when you take the backup next time.
  • Alternatively, you may upload data to iCloud Drive.



Settings > [your name] > iCloud Tap Photos > Choose Optimize [device] Storage --> Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support



You may buy iCloud Storage. --> Buy more iCloud storage - Apple Support



Before you buy more iCloud storage see if you can manage your existing storage --> Manage your photo and video storage - Apple Support



Your photos are always available for both iPhone and iCloud. You delete it on the iPhone it is gone from iCloud and vice-versa.


To save space on your iPhone use optimized iPhone storage. Remember, if you delete in one it is deleted everywhere.



Get started with iCloud Photos:

  1. Tap Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos.
  2. Turn on iCloud Photos.
  3. Select Optimize iPhone Storage to save 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.



How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch



The Apple Video below may help you understand better.




I upgraded my storage today with 200 GB. They payment went through but my phone still says “storage full” anI can’t take any pictures or download any apps

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