My phone said storage full. I went to manage and it wouldn’t even open TWICE. The wheel just spins and spins. I rebooted after clearing out trash everywhere and previously off loading many apps. Then the page opened to reveal 253.45 GB of 256 GB. I also have 12 TB iCloud but no where full at 6.8
Type of iPhone: 13 Pro Max
iSO Version 26.2.1
iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 26
You must keep 20% ie 50GB empty on iphone.
Following Katana-Sans excellent advice...
Use icloud correctly for more space
Ensure you are syncing to your iCloud Photos (iPhone, Settings, [tap your name], iCloud, Photos, Sync this iPhone)
In the same settings ensure Optimise this iphone is turned on
If this is the first time you turned iCloud photos on leave it 2 days to sync on a good wifi.
When you are sure that iCloud has all your images and movies you can backup the phone and erase it to factory status, then restore the backup.
The on-phone images will then be sync'd down from iCloud in the minimum size possible (aka thumbnails). You will also lose excess System data.
Resources:
Set up and use iCloud Photos – Apple Support (UK)
How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support
You must keep 20% ie 50GB empty on iphone.
Following Katana-Sans excellent advice...
Use icloud correctly for more space
Ensure you are syncing to your iCloud Photos (iPhone, Settings, [tap your name], iCloud, Photos, Sync this iPhone)
In the same settings ensure Optimise this iphone is turned on
If this is the first time you turned iCloud photos on leave it 2 days to sync on a good wifi.
When you are sure that iCloud has all your images and movies you can backup the phone and erase it to factory status, then restore the backup.
The on-phone images will then be sync'd down from iCloud in the minimum size possible (aka thumbnails). You will also lose excess System data.
Resources:
Set up and use iCloud Photos – Apple Support (UK)
How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support
Full Storage iPhone Must be in Error
