In this article, we will show you how to buy more storage on iPhone and upgrade iCloud storage, manage files, and optimize your device for more space.
Are you running out of space on your iPhone? It’s a common problem for many users, especially with all the photos, videos, apps, and music we store on our devices.
Fortunately, Apple offers a simple solution: you can easily buy more storage for your iPhone through iCloud storage.
Here, we will guide you through how to buy more storage on your iPhone, explain why you might need it, and share some helpful tips for managing your storage efficiently.
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Why You Might Need More Storage on Your iPhone
Before we dive into how to buy more storage, let’s quickly touch on why you might need it. Your iPhone comes with a fixed amount of internal storage, but as you use your device, you’ll likely accumulate photos, videos, apps, messages, and files.
Over time, this can take up a significant amount of space, causing your device to slow down or preventing you from downloading new apps.
Some signs you need more storage include:
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You’re getting a “Storage Full” message.
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Your iPhone is running slowly or lagging.
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You can’t download apps or update them.
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You can’t take photos because there’s no space left.
If any of these sound familiar, it might be time to purchase additional storage.
See Also: 7 Tips to Get More Storage on iPhone without Buying it
How to Buy More Storage on iPhone – Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Check Your Current Storage Usage
First, check how much storage you’re currently using. This will give you an idea of how much space you need to free up or how much extra storage you need to buy.
To check your iPhone’s storage:
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Open the Settings app.
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Scroll down and tap on General.
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Tap on iPhone Storage.
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Here, you can see a breakdown of your storage usage, including how much space each app or category (photos, apps, etc.) is taking up.
See Also: 5 Methods to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Windows PC
2. Buy More iCloud Storage
Apple’s iCloud service offers a convenient way to store your files, photos, backups, and more. If you’re running out of space on your iPhone, upgrading your iCloud storage is an easy way to free up space while ensuring your data is backed up.
To buy more iCloud storage:
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Open the Settings app.
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Tap on your name at the top of the screen (this is your Apple ID).
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Tap iCloud.
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Select Manage Storage or iCloud Storage.
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Tap Buy More Storage or Change Storage Plan.
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Choose a plan that suits your needs. Apple offers several options, typically ranging from 50GB to 2TB. The prices vary depending on the plan you choose.
Here are the available storage plans and their costs:
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50GB: $0.99 per month
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200GB: $2.99 per month
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2TB: $9.99 per month
Once you’ve selected your plan, follow the prompts to complete the purchase. After that, your iCloud storage will be upgraded, and you can start saving photos, files, and backups to iCloud, freeing up space on your iPhone.
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3. Consider Upgrading Your iPhone’s Internal Storage (When Buying a New Device)
If you’re considering buying more storage, it might be time to think about whether your current iPhone is the right model for your storage needs.
Newer iPhone come with various storage options, and if you’re frequently running out of space, you might want to consider upgrading to a device with more internal storage. When purchasing a new iPhone, you’ll have several options, such as:
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128GB
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256GB
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512GB
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1TB (on select models)
If buying a new iPhone isn’t an option right now, continue using iCloud to manage your storage.
See Also: 5 Steps to Jailbreak iPhone
4. Offload Unused Apps
In addition to buying more storage, you can free up space by offloading apps that you no longer use. Offloading an app removes the app itself but keeps its data intact, so you can reinstall it later without losing your information.
To offload apps:
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Go to Settings.
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Tap on General.
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Tap iPhone Storage.
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Scroll down to find apps that you can offload.
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Tap on an app and select Offload App.
5. Optimize Your Photo Storage
Photos and videos can take up a lot of space on your iPhone. To help manage this, you can enable iCloud Photo Library, which will store your photos and videos in iCloud and only keep smaller versions on your device.
To enable iCloud Photo Library:
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Open Settings.
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Tap Photos.
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Turn on iCloud Photos.
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Select Optimize iPhone Storage to save space on your device.
By doing this, full-resolution photos and videos will be stored in iCloud, while only optimized versions remain on your iPhone, saving valuable space.
See Also: 8 Ways to Free Up Space on iPhone
6. Delete Unnecessary Files and Data
Sometimes, the simplest way to clear up space is by manually deleting unnecessary files. This can include old text messages, emails, music, or documents you no longer need. You can also clear app caches for apps that store a lot of temporary data.
To delete old messages and media:
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Open the Messages app.
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Delete old conversations or media attachments that you no longer need.
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Check other apps like WhatsApp or Facebook for stored media.
Tips for Managing Your iPhone Storage
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Use cloud services for backups: In addition to iCloud, you can use third-party services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to back up photos, documents, and other files.
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Manage app storage: Periodically check which apps are using the most space and decide whether you need them. Some apps, like games and social media apps, can take up a surprising amount of space due to cached data and media files.
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Clear Safari cache: Over time, Safari’s cache can grow large. To clear it, go to Settings > Safari and tap Clear History and Website Data.
See Also: 5 Steps to Enable Cookies on iPhone
Conclusion
Running out of storage on your iPhone can be frustrating, but with a few simple steps, you can buy more storage and keep your device running smoothly. By upgrading to iCloud storage, offloading apps, and managing your files effectively, you can ensure that you always have enough space for everything you need. Whether you’re just looking for a temporary solution or a long-term fix, there are options that will help you maximize your iPhone’s storage.
If you find yourself frequently running low on space, consider upgrading to a device with more internal storage the next time you purchase a new iPhone. Until then, iCloud is your best friend in managing and expanding your storage needs.
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