iPhone 15 Pro storage not clearing after deleting photos

Question

Level 1

4 points

iPhone 15 Pro storage not clearing after deleting photos

I have an iPhone 15 pro. I recently received notification that I’m maxed out on memory (nearly all photos). I’ve deleted nearly 3000 videos, screenshots and photos. I deleted lots of apps. Emptied the deleted files folder. Restarted the phone. It cleared up very little of the memory taken up by photos.

I take a few photos (still not Live Photos) and immediately get the phone full message again. It makes no sense that I’d clear so many files and not have tons of memory as a result.

Any idea what is going on?

iPhone 15 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Feb 14, 2026 4:21 PM

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Answer 1

Zachyy

Level 6

14,450 points

Feb 14, 2026 4:29 PM in response to UECR

Have you cleared those photos out of your Recently Deleted folder after? Where are most of your photos being kept? And if you are full on storage, cleared data out and your storage fills up again, it's likely there were other applications needing storage and didn't have it before.

Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos > Make sure that is turned on and Optimize iPhone Storage is enabled. This stores all your photos in full resolution to iCloud while keeping smaller sized versions on your iPhone.

After lobsterghost1's Forced Restart, try an erase and restoration with a computer. That will clear up the caches + System Data, and install afresh copy of the iOS operating system if there is any corrupt data.

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings using a computer - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Feb 14, 2026 4:27 PM in response to UECR

Try a Force Restart --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

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