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iOS 8 on an 8GB iPhone 4s: Impossible due to lack of actual space?

I'm trying to download the new iOS 8 but I need to have at least 4.6 GB of free space, which is practically impossible, as I've only got access to the 6 GB out of 8GB and for some reason. even though I've deleted almost all of my apps, I still can't meet the 4.6GB requirement and can reach only 3.8. Does this make the dowload actually impossible?

iPhone 4S, iOS 7.1.2

Posted on Sep 17, 2014 11:03 AM

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Posted on Sep 17, 2014 11:04 AM

yes it does, the only other option would be to restore via itunes

18 replies

Sep 23, 2014 8:05 PM in response to bj-an

My dad was having the same issue with his 8 GB iPhone 4S. He has a Mac Mini, but it's too old to use iTunes to update it to iOS 8, so I tested a theory on my son's iPhone that is identical and it WORKED! I didn't have to clear anything off his iPhone either. He had 840 MB of space available and after the iOS 8 update, he now has 1 GB available. I have successfully updated an 8 GB iPhone 4S to iOS 8 OTA (over the air) without connecting it to a computer or using iTunes.


It sounds counterintuitive, but you have to first back up to iCloud then erase, then set it up as a new phone, then erase it again, then restore it from the iCloud backup. It takes a while so be prepared to walk away. I think I managed to get it done between 1 to 2 hours. It will depend on your internet speed. iOS 8 has been out for a few days, so it should be available from the server consistently by now.


Some things to be aware of: after you do an iCloud backup, go check what's actually in that backup because there may be some apps in there you had deleted to save space, but they will get put back onto the iPhone again even though you deleted them. You may have to toggle them off in the iCloud backup. Just make sure that what's actually backed up in your iCloud backup is exactly what you want to come back onto your iPhone after you restore it.


You will need:

  • sync/charge cable and power source
  • internet connectivity
  • your Apple ID and password
  • Your Wi-Fi password
  • Apple ID password for store purchases in case you share an Apple ID with a family member
  • About 2 hours or less

If you have these stored on another device in a password manager, great. If not, write them down and be prepared to key them all in manually.


GOOD LUCK and let me know if this helped you!

Aug 31, 2015 7:45 AM in response to bj-an

I have just managed to update to the new ios 8 with a iphone 43 8gb, although there wasnt enough spare storage. The apps that would have needed to be deleted in order to do this would have been just about everything, so wasnt happy to do this.

I tried to update using itunes and it froze my phone leaving me withan itunes logo and a charging plug image on screen and i couldnt get rid of it, the phone wouldnt work at all.

after some research i followed a recommendation as this fault was an itunes issue. I uninstalled itunes and reinstalled it again, connected the phone again and chose update. Itunes didnt recognise the phone but started to update, after 30 mins fingers x, it had completed update to ios 8 and was working fine. Once it had installed the update it then recognised the phone. The phone is using ios8 and has the extra bonuses.

My only thought to this would be due to itunes not recognising the phone at all, so didnt pick up how much storage was on the phone. There was no where near enough storage and the phone is working perfectly.

So to all the phone shop that told me it was impossible, they were wrong.

Hope this is of help to someone.

iOS 8 on an 8GB iPhone 4s: Impossible due to lack of actual space?

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