I have a 32gb iPad that I cannot update due to lack of storage space. I have disabled iCloud photos and deleted all photos & videos. All unused Apps have been deleted. Despite the photo folder being completely empty it is still using 1gb of storage. Why is this & how can I reduce it down so I can install the update?
Thank you
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPad, iPadOS 17
Devices with only 32-64GB of internal storage will always be a source of frustration.
It is generally recommended that you maintain 4-6GB of free space at all times - as your iPad needs some temporary space to complete some tasks - such as performing system software updates.
A system software update requires sufficient space to be downloaded, unpacked and verified prior to installation - major version updates (such as updating to iPadOS 17/18) requiring considerably more space than an incremental point-update. After the update is successfully completed, temporary files are automatically deleted - returning free space.
If your internal storage is full, or is insufficient for the task that you need to perform, 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:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A
As an alternative to performing an OTA update directly from iPad settings, you might instead try to use either a Windows PC or Mac computer to perform the update. This requires less available internal storage than an OTA update, as the update package is initially downloaded to the computer, unpacked and verified (by the computer) before finally being installed on the iPad.
To do so, you will need access to either a Windows PC (with iTunes for Windows installed - or the more recent Apple Devices App) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS). Ensure that your installed version of iTunes has been updated to the most recent version; the essential device drivers are included.
Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support
Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support
Update software on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch in iTunes on PC - Apple Support
Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with the Finder - Apple Support
Apple Devices App (Windows PC):
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9np83lwlpz9k?hl=en-ms&gl=MS
Devices with only 32-64GB of internal storage will always be a source of frustration.
It is generally recommended that you maintain 4-6GB of free space at all times - as your iPad needs some temporary space to complete some tasks - such as performing system software updates.
A system software update requires sufficient space to be downloaded, unpacked and verified prior to installation - major version updates (such as updating to iPadOS 17/18) requiring considerably more space than an incremental point-update. After the update is successfully completed, temporary files are automatically deleted - returning free space.
If your internal storage is full, or is insufficient for the task that you need to perform, 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:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A
As an alternative to performing an OTA update directly from iPad settings, you might instead try to use either a Windows PC or Mac computer to perform the update. This requires less available internal storage than an OTA update, as the update package is initially downloaded to the computer, unpacked and verified (by the computer) before finally being installed on the iPad.
To do so, you will need access to either a Windows PC (with iTunes for Windows installed - or the more recent Apple Devices App) or a Mac (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of MacOS). Ensure that your installed version of iTunes has been updated to the most recent version; the essential device drivers are included.
Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support
Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support
Update software on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch in iTunes on PC - Apple Support
Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with the Finder - Apple Support
Apple Devices App (Windows PC):
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9np83lwlpz9k?hl=en-ms&gl=MS
Why is my iPad still using storage after deleting files?
