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iOS update affects storage?

I have been thinking about this for quite a long time now.

Does ios updates use up memory? I mean, when i look at the storage usage list, in case theres a new update, its says new update ios x.x.x ~400 mb.

So, if i deciede to update, will i forever have 400mb less storage to use?

And if i update again, and again and again... Will i run out of storage just by updating?

Or does ios delete older ios scripts (or whatever its called) it doesnt need?

For example if i use ios 9, and i have had ios 7, is ios 7 still in the phone?

And if I have had ios 9 and now i have ios 9.0.1?

I have seen somewhere, "update with itunes on your desktop and save alot of storage!!", is that true?

Posted on May 20, 2016 9:59 AM

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Posted on May 20, 2016 11:04 AM

OK, let me try. When you are updating over the air, the update files have to download to your phone first and this takes up temporary storage. The update then replaces the files that need replacing and DELETES the update files. If you update with iTunes the update files are downloaded to the computer first, not the phone, and then the whole iOS is replaced so no temporary storage is needed. Does this make sense now?

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May 20, 2016 11:04 AM in response to Aliquantus

OK, let me try. When you are updating over the air, the update files have to download to your phone first and this takes up temporary storage. The update then replaces the files that need replacing and DELETES the update files. If you update with iTunes the update files are downloaded to the computer first, not the phone, and then the whole iOS is replaced so no temporary storage is needed. Does this make sense now?

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May 20, 2016 10:40 AM in response to Aliquantus

Aliquantus wrote:


I have been thinking about this for quite a long time now.

Does ios updates use up memory? I mean, when i look at the storage usage list, in case theres a new update, its says new update ios x.x.x ~400 mb.

So, if i deciede to update, will i forever have 400mb less storage to use?

And if i update again, and again and again... Will i run out of storage just by updating?

Or does ios delete older ios scripts (or whatever its called) it doesnt need?

For example if i use ios 9, and i have had ios 7, is ios 7 still in the phone?

And if I have had ios 9 and now i have ios 9.0.1?

I have seen somewhere, "update with itunes on your desktop and save alot of storage!!", is that true?

Once you update the phone the IOS update storage will be removed from your phone.


When you update to 9 you won't have IOS 8,7,6, on your phone still.


Updating through iTunes doesn't require that much memory as you would over the air.

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May 20, 2016 11:00 AM in response to Aliquantus

Aliquantus wrote:


I have been thinking about this for quite a long time now.

Does ios updates use up memory? I mean, when i look at the storage usage list, in case theres a new update, its says new update ios x.x.x ~400 mb.

So, if i deciede to update, will i forever have 400mb less storage to use? NO

And if i update again, and again and again... Will i run out of storage just by updating? For sure NO

Or does ios delete older ios scripts (or whatever its called) it doesnt need? After updating Yes

For example if i use ios 9, and i have had ios 7, is ios 7 still in the phone? No, it is gone for good

And if I have had ios 9 and now i have ios 9.0.1? You only have 9.0.1

I have seen somewhere, "update with itunes on your desktop and save alot of storage!!", is that true?

What this means is that the update downloads to the computer and the computer installs a fresh iOS so it does not need a temporary storage like over the air updates. After the updates are complete they are both same.


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May 20, 2016 10:51 AM in response to Aliquantus

Aliquantus wrote:


What do you mean by "updating through itunes doesnt require that much memory as you would over air"?

Saves phone storage? Why?

Does updates take up memory or not?

Yes updates takes up memory as you point out 400mb is for ios update, once you update it that 400 mb goes away and you get it back.


Save phone storage? why? I have no clue what you're saying.


here read this link:


Update the iOS software on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

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iOS update affects storage?

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