How to free up storage on iPad with 63 GB used out of 64 GB?

Ipad

no matter how many images I delete I still use 63 gb of available 64 means many of my apps keep stopping and I can’t update. My biggest storage is 4 gb of photos.?

theres a lot of system storage. Can I wipe the ipad and restore from my iCloud backup.if so how?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Ipad memory full

iPad Pro (5th generation)

Posted on Feb 5, 2026 7:25 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 5, 2026 8:47 AM

Do you use iCloud Photos? Do you have Optimize Storage turned on? This will impact what backup does.


When you have so little free storage, it becomes really hard for the phone to operate, and even deleting files may become very slow or impossible. You should probably look at small things first, things that the OS has room to move around. See if you can delete apps, and especially app's data. Do you have stuff in Files?


Have you turned on Settings>Apple ID>iCloud Backup? If you have a recent iCloud backup, then you can certainly start over. If you have a computer, you should do a computer backup, as well. You can use "Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings" to reset the phone. To Restore:

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

“Restore” is what you do when you buy a new phone. Every time I've bought a phone, I've used restore and the phone was just fine.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 5, 2026 8:47 AM in response to Bigstefanuk

Do you use iCloud Photos? Do you have Optimize Storage turned on? This will impact what backup does.


When you have so little free storage, it becomes really hard for the phone to operate, and even deleting files may become very slow or impossible. You should probably look at small things first, things that the OS has room to move around. See if you can delete apps, and especially app's data. Do you have stuff in Files?


Have you turned on Settings>Apple ID>iCloud Backup? If you have a recent iCloud backup, then you can certainly start over. If you have a computer, you should do a computer backup, as well. You can use "Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings" to reset the phone. To Restore:

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

“Restore” is what you do when you buy a new phone. Every time I've bought a phone, I've used restore and the phone was just fine.

Feb 5, 2026 7:51 AM in response to Bigstefanuk

Make sure after deleting images and videos you are also deleting them from the Recently Deleted album.


The iPad will keep them in Recently Deleted for 30 days before actually removing them entirely and freeing up the space.


click here ➜ Manage storage on iPad - Apple Support

and here ➜ Delete photos on your iPhone or iPad Permanently - Apple Support


Then restart your iPad for good measure.

click here ➜ Restart your iPad - Apple Support



This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How to free up storage on iPad with 63 GB used out of 64 GB?

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