not enough memory to update

Question

not enough memory to update

I have an iphone 5s 16Gb and i need to update the ios to 10.2.1 but i get a msg saying i don't have enough memory. i need 610mb. in the summary it says i have 2.5 Gb of space. on a related note, when trying to free up space i went through my music and podcasts and unchecked the ones to remove and watched the slider work it's way down to show how much memory i have freed up usually about 2-3 Gb. so i click apply and it syncs, and just as it finishes syncing the amount of available space just disappears and i end up with about 200mb free. so i try again and remove some more and the bar slides down to show yet more space free, and when it finishes syncing it goes right back up again, maybe a little less than before but still not what it showed when i clicked sync. this has been happening for a few ios versions now. thoughts?

iPhone 5s, iOS 10.2

Posted on Jan 25, 2017 9:28 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 25, 2017 10:03 PM in response to wildernessbob

iOS 10.2.1 is a 1.7GB download and needs around 3GB for installation.

View which apps are taking up storage space, either delete them or remove data within them (photos, videos).

For example Whatsapp, iMessage store photos and videos in them, you can delete these to free up space. As well as Photos in Photos app, music in Music app.

Settings → General → Storage and iCloud Usage → STORAGE / Manage Storage

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Answer 2

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Jan 26, 2017 12:59 AM in response to wildernessbob

Hi

It may help to follow the steps here, including removing and downloading the update again:

Get help with over-the-air iOS updates - Apple Support

If you are unable to update wirelessly, consider instead updating via iTunes:

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

Whichever method you choose, be sure to first make a backup of your iPhone (you may wish to choose the option to Encrypt iPhone backup if using iTunes):

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Note that, for iTunes to be able to connect with a device running iOS 10 or newer (including updating it), your computer must be running iTunes version 12.5.1 or newer:

Get the latest version of iTunes - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Jan 26, 2017 9:36 AM in response to wildernessbob

Take a screen shot of your Manage Storage screen and post it here:

Settings → General → Storage and iCloud Usage → STORAGE / Manage Storage

How to take a screenshot on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT200289

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Answer 4

Jan 26, 2017 9:26 AM in response to applesmartz

i see, i thought it meant the install was 610mb, but it means i need an additional 610mb. they could have made that more clear. ok, so i need to remove more data. i just went into itunes and unchecked "sync podcasts" and guess what, my available space went down! it says I have 2.35 Gb available and as soon as i uncheck the podcast sync box, it went down to 1.06Gb! how is that possible? how is it possible to remove 270 podcasts and end up with less storage space?

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Answer 5

Jan 26, 2017 9:31 AM in response to wildernessbob

ok, i just synced it after removing the podcasts. I started with 2.35 GB, selected to delete all podcasts and the slider went up to show available space at 1.06Gb, odd, so i clicked apply and when it was finished i ended up with 2.21GB free space. i'm no math wiz, but i did watch sesame street an if i take some things away from other things i should have less than when i started.

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Answer 6

Jan 26, 2017 9:53 AM in response to Saifan Pilot

in itunes i have unselected all podcasts but it shows 4.02Gb on the phone

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Answer 7

Jan 26, 2017 1:08 AM in response to wildernessbob

Update it with a computer in iTunes instead. Or if you do not have a computer, download the Apple Support App and make an appointment and The Apple Store can help update it for you.

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