Why can't I delete apps or photos on my iPad to free up storage?

My tablet says I’m at 29.91 GB of data and I only have 30. I need to delete some stuff but it won’t allow me to. I don’t have any parental locks and the apps I’m trying to delete were installed by me


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iPad, iPadOS 17

Posted on Mar 4, 2025 8:30 AM

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Mar 4, 2025 10:31 AM in response to lestat112

Start here:

Delete apps on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


Assuming that your iPad is not centrally managed by an Educational Establishment or Business (as the device may be remotely managed) - if you are experiencing difficulties with adding, updating or removing Apps from your iPad, you’ll need to check your ScreenTime restrictions:


  • Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Adding Apps - set to Allow
  • Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Deleting Apps - set to Allow
  • Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > In-app Purchases - set to Allow



It is generally recommended that you maintain at least 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.


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:


  • Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter

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

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Why can't I delete apps or photos on my iPad to free up storage?

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