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iPad Air internal storage upgrade?

(There is a previous thread that explains this but worse, but it won’t let me edit the post so I’m remaking the thread. Sorry)

I have an iPad Air that I bought not all too long ago. I chose 64 gbs of storage space, but now I wish I had chosen the other higher storage space option.

I saw in another thread that someone said that the internal storage in an iPad cannot be upgraded, so I assume it’s impossible to bring it in, have someone pop it open, yoink out the old 64gb and replace it with a 256bg, and I pay the difference between what I paid for for this iPad and what I would have paid if I had originally chosen the 256gb option?

And if the above is indeed impossible, is there some way for me to swap this one for an ipad that is identical in make and model and everything else except for the storage, and then pay the original 64-256gb difference? Normal trade-in is not currently appealing to me right now because 1. I don’t want to buy a NEW model and 2. The one I’m using is completely unmarred and fully functional, but the trade in value calculator doesn’t seem to care that much, and the value it gave me isn’t enough for me to be able to afford the ‘new’ version. I can currently afford the number of the 256gb version of the one I got minus the price I have paid for the one I have, I can’t afford the difference between this iPad’s trade in value and the price of the current version/model/thing of the iPad Air with 256gbs.

Is there a solution for me here other than time travel?

iPad Air, iPadOS 16

Posted on Aug 15, 2023 3:48 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 15, 2023 4:03 AM

It is impossible to increase/upgrade the RAM or internal storage in your iPad - as this is fixed during manufacture; what you have is fixed for the life of your device. You can, however, subscribe to a higher tier of iCloud storage - but this is not a substitute for internal storage.

Upgrade to iCloud+ - Apple Support


If your internal storage is full, your only option is to better manage the storage that you have - and delete unused Apps or unneeded data. 


These support pages should prove to be helpful:

About storage on your device and in iCloud – Apple Support

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

Manage your iCloud storage – Apple Support

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

Clear Other storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


“Offloading” Apps can be a helpful method of creating temporary space for a software update.

https://9to5mac.com/2020/01/21/how-to-offload-apps-in-ios-to-save-space-without-deleting-their-data/


Additional information about creating sufficient space for installation of a software update can be found here:

If you need more space for an update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support


External storage options can often help with managing limited internal storage. Depending upon your iPad model, the iPad will either have a Lightning or USB-C port - and may therefore require either an Adapter or USB hub to connect the USB Storage device. If your iPad has a Lightning port, you’ll need an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter:


  • Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter

https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A



When purchasing an iPad, you would always be well advised to purchase as much internal storage as your budget might reasonably allow - as internal storage (and other hardware) cannot be changed, upgraded or extended after purchase. The available internal storage is fixed for the entire life of the device. If you run out of internal storage for your documents, photos and other data, you will forever struggle and become a source of frustration. It is far better to have more storage than you need, than to need more storage than you have.


A good rule of thumb is to quantify how much data storage you will need - add a healthy margin - then double it. If you are unable to quantify your data storage needs, it becomes more difficult. Whilst I and others cannot cannot make definitive recommendations for your personal needs, objectively I would council against purchase of any iPad with any less than 256GB storage - with 128GB being an absolute minimum.


Within the Apple Support Communities we see regular tales of woe and disappointment when storage requirements are exceeded, necessitating replacement of the device; by contrast, we never see complaint of having too much available storage. It is relatively easy to fill limited internal storage space; perhaps consider higher tiers of storage as providing room for growth as your needs develop or mature - potentially extending the useful usable life of the device.



Apple does offer a trade-in programme. While trade-in values are always considerably less than the purchase cost, trade-in does offer a viable method of upgrading an iPad for a different model at reduced cost:

Apple Trade In - Apple

8 replies
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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 15, 2023 4:03 AM in response to GryphonAblaze

It is impossible to increase/upgrade the RAM or internal storage in your iPad - as this is fixed during manufacture; what you have is fixed for the life of your device. You can, however, subscribe to a higher tier of iCloud storage - but this is not a substitute for internal storage.

Upgrade to iCloud+ - Apple Support


If your internal storage is full, your only option is to better manage the storage that you have - and delete unused Apps or unneeded data. 


These support pages should prove to be helpful:

About storage on your device and in iCloud – Apple Support

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

Manage your iCloud storage – Apple Support

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

Clear Other storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


“Offloading” Apps can be a helpful method of creating temporary space for a software update.

https://9to5mac.com/2020/01/21/how-to-offload-apps-in-ios-to-save-space-without-deleting-their-data/


Additional information about creating sufficient space for installation of a software update can be found here:

If you need more space for an update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support


External storage options can often help with managing limited internal storage. Depending upon your iPad model, the iPad will either have a Lightning or USB-C port - and may therefore require either an Adapter or USB hub to connect the USB Storage device. If your iPad has a Lightning port, you’ll need an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter:


  • Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter

https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A



When purchasing an iPad, you would always be well advised to purchase as much internal storage as your budget might reasonably allow - as internal storage (and other hardware) cannot be changed, upgraded or extended after purchase. The available internal storage is fixed for the entire life of the device. If you run out of internal storage for your documents, photos and other data, you will forever struggle and become a source of frustration. It is far better to have more storage than you need, than to need more storage than you have.


A good rule of thumb is to quantify how much data storage you will need - add a healthy margin - then double it. If you are unable to quantify your data storage needs, it becomes more difficult. Whilst I and others cannot cannot make definitive recommendations for your personal needs, objectively I would council against purchase of any iPad with any less than 256GB storage - with 128GB being an absolute minimum.


Within the Apple Support Communities we see regular tales of woe and disappointment when storage requirements are exceeded, necessitating replacement of the device; by contrast, we never see complaint of having too much available storage. It is relatively easy to fill limited internal storage space; perhaps consider higher tiers of storage as providing room for growth as your needs develop or mature - potentially extending the useful usable life of the device.



Apple does offer a trade-in programme. While trade-in values are always considerably less than the purchase cost, trade-in does offer a viable method of upgrading an iPad for a different model at reduced cost:

Apple Trade In - Apple

Reply

Aug 15, 2023 4:51 AM in response to GryphonAblaze

Of current models, none offer a 128GB option; the entry-level iPad9 and the iPad10 are offered with either 64GB or 256GB internal storage. The 64GB model is, for many users, inadequate for general storage of data/documents/photos - or use with some more advanced Apps.


So as to avoid the issue that you currently have, from a practical perspective, 256GB model is perhaps the realistic minimum that you should consider.


You can directly compare the relative specifications of both current and recent iPad models here:

iPad - Compare Models - Apple


When considering a replacement iPad, you may wish to also consider the functional differences between WiFi Only and WiFi+Cellular models of iPad. Aside from the obvious Cellular functionality, only WiFi+Cellular models include GNSS/GPS location capabilities - which may impact any Apps or features that require accurate and consistent location data, such as Mapping. 


Purchase of a WiFi+Cellular model provides access to precise location services, but does not commit you to using Cellular connections. WiFi Only models of iPad have no Cellular or GNSS/GPS functions at all.


Reply

Aug 15, 2023 5:07 AM in response to GryphonAblaze

256GB is really not that generous. Many models are offered with 512GB, 1TB and 2TB internal storage options.


For modern computing needs, in your adopted parlance, perhaps think of 64GB as a thimble; 256GB as a generous teacup; 512GB as pint glass…

Reply

iPad Air internal storage upgrade?

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