Can't free up iphone storage space. Help!

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Level 1

20 points

Can't free up iphone storage space. Help!

Hello,

I am experiencing serious issues with my iphone 6S 64 gb, ios 10.2.1. I have absolutely no storage space, the memory is full. It seems that my photo library takes up to ~45 gb.

The problem is thay although I keep desperately deleting pictures, at first it shows me I got about 200 mb free space (or less), but immediately after that, it appears completely full again! This is happening within seconds!

What is the problem and how can I solve it?? This is awful..

Please help!

Posted on Mar 11, 2017 2:41 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

sberman

Level 10

264,087 points

Mar 11, 2017 3:23 PM in response to VictoriaE09

VictoriaE09 wrote:

The problem is thay although I keep desperately deleting pictures, at first it shows me I got about 200 mb free space (or less)

Please understand this is essentially zero free space. Your 64GB iPhone needs an absolute minimum of 6.4GB in order to function. 200MB is 3% of this absolute minimum number.

It's possible that as you delete photos, they end up in the "Recently Deleted" photo album where they would remain for about 30 days unless you explicitly delete them from there. Check Photos > Albums to see if they're there.

Also check Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage > Manage Storage (under Storage).

Also:

Import photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Sabelina

Level 2

156 points

Mar 11, 2017 9:58 PM in response to VictoriaE09

Sberman had it right, but if the photos are completely gone from recently deleted and your storage isn't changing, have you tried syncing your phone to itunes? Sometimes your device doesn't delete data right and it becomes cached data. Also you need a bit more space (like sberman said) so if you're not deleting enough photos it won't make a difference.

If the syncing doesn't work try to back up and restore. That should show the space accurately.

Check the storage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

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Answer 3

sberman

Level 10

264,087 points

Mar 11, 2017 3:37 PM in response to VictoriaE09

Did you check Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage > Manage Storage?

Reset the iPhone as well. Hold the on/off and home buttons together for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.

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Answer 4

VictoriaE09 Author

Level 1

20 points

Mar 11, 2017 3:54 PM in response to sberman

Yes, it shows me that my Photo library takes up to 42,85 gb space, Photo stream 461 mb.. And then there are the apps, but they don't take a lot of space.

Thank you!

P.S. Unfortunately no major changes even after reseting the iPhone (by holding the on/off and home buttons together) 😟

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Answer 5

VictoriaE09 Author

Level 1

20 points

Mar 12, 2017 7:42 AM in response to Sabelina

Thanks a lot. So now I have another problem. I connected my iPhone to my MacBook, opened itunes on my mac and it was clearly written that I have 22 gb free space on this iPhone.

But then I clicked the button and synced my iPhone with my mac. As a result, it shows now zero free space even on iTunes!

What on earth am I supposed to do now??

What happens if I click on Restore iPhone? Will all my information be deleted, including my contacts??

What is the solution? Please help😟

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Answer 6

Mar 12, 2017 7:43 AM in response to VictoriaE09

Download Google Photos, Dropbox and any other service you prefer to back up your device's photos and then delete them on the device. This should allow you to free up the maximum amount without losing anything.

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Answer 7

VictoriaE09 Author

Level 1

20 points

Mar 12, 2017 8:00 AM in response to TristanWPK

Thank you! Already did that, saved all the photos on my PC. Do you mean I should just manually delete the photos from my iPhone? But I already did that, I deleted hundreds of pics with no result.

P.S. The folder with all my saved iPhone photos on the PC is 37 gb. But iTunes and the phone itself says my photos take up to 45 gb space. Where does this difference come from?!

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Answer 8

VictoriaE09 Author

Level 1

20 points

Mar 11, 2017 3:30 PM in response to sberman

I immediately delete all of them from the Recently deleted album as well! I can't figure what else to do..

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Answer 9

Mar 13, 2017 8:47 AM in response to VictoriaE09

Do you currently have your iPhone backed up?

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Answer 10

VictoriaE09 Author

Level 1

20 points

Mar 13, 2017 8:56 AM in response to TristanWPK

Well, I couldn't back it up via itunes, it says there is not enough free space on the macbook for that (another annoying problem). The only thing I have done is saving all of my photos on my PC.

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Answer 11

May 20, 2017 2:13 PM in response to sberman

Will I loose all my pictures. Cause I have now space at all

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