Q: Message: Updating to iOS 9.2 requires at least 610 MB of free space on your iPad. Please change your media sync options to make more storage available.

Hi Chris,

Just to be sure, have you backed up your iPad to iCloud and/or iTunes?  Always a good idea before updating the iOS.  Have you enabled iCloud Photo Library?  Choosing the Optimize setting will move your original photos and videos to iCloud, and free up significant space on your iPad. 

If you need more space for an iOS update
 

When you're updating your iOS device wirelessly, you might see a message that there's not enough space on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. These steps can help.
 

During a wireless update, you might see a message that says the update can't be installed because it needs more space than you have on your device. If you see this message, there are a few ways you can update your device:

• Plug your device into your computer and update using iTunes.
• Manually remove content from your device and try to update again.

Update using iTunes

To download the latest version of iOS using iTunes, follow these steps:

1. Install the latest version of iTunes on your computer.
2. Plug your device into your computer.
3. In iTunes, select your device.
4. In the Summary pane, click Check for Update.
5. Click Download and Update.

If you see a different alert message during an update, learn how to resolve it.

Delete content manually

If there isn't enough space to download and install an update, iOS 9 tries to make more space. It temporarily removes some downloadable parts of installed apps. You shouldn't need to remove or relocate any content. But in some cases, it's necessary to manually delete some content.

In the Usage Settings menu, you can see how much space your apps use and delete the ones you don't need. You can always re-download your purchased apps or other content later. Follow these steps:

1. Tap Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage > Manage Storage.
2. Select any app to see how much space it uses, and tap Delete App to remove it. Some apps, such as Music and Videos, let you delete parts of their documents and data.
3. Install the iOS update again. Tap Settings > General > Software Update.

You can also reduce the size of your Photo library by turning on iCloud Photo Library and Optimizing your device storage. Learn more about app storage space and content.

Also, take a look at your Messages app.  Many times the attachments to conversations can take up a lot of space.  You can delete the individual attachments.  If you know longer need a conversation, deleting it will delete the attachments as well.   If you need to back up an individual message before deleting it, you can copy and paste the contents into another app like Notes.

Use Messages with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Happy New Year!