📦 5 ways to free up space on your iPhone


Hey Reader! 👋

For this tutorial, I’m going to show you 5 ways to free up gigabytes of space on your iPhone so you can make more room for other apps, photos, videos, and media.

😖 The issue

Have you ever run out of space on your iPhone just when you needed it most?

If you're anything like me, it's usually when I'm trying to take photos on vacation or at a family event. It can be SO frustrating to run low on iPhone storage space.

To see what your iPhone storage looks like, open the Settings app. Then choose the General category, then iPhone Storage. This shows a visual at the top showing how much of your total space is used, followed by a break down of apps and categories below.

Aside from always buying the next storage tier when you upgrade to a new model, here 5 ways to free up space on your iPhone right now.


👇 Give it a try

1. Optimize Photo Library

Open the Settings app. Then choose the General category, then iPhone Storage and then enable Optimize Photos.

By doing this, your photos and videos are safely stored in iCloud in it’s highest resolution and quality. Your iPhone will use a smaller size version to store them on your iPhone and can download them on-demand as needed.

If you're really desperate for storage, this can free up dozens of gigabytes.


2. Automatically Delete Messages after 30 days

Open the Settings app. Then choose the Messages category. From there, find the Message History option and Keep Messages and choose 30 Days.

By doing this, all Messages older than 30 days will be deleted.

I was shocked to see my Messages data was taking up over 3 GB of storage!


3. Streaming Media: Remove Offline Downloads

Open the Settings app. Then choose the General category, then iPhone Storage. Look for streaming media apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+. Chances are, you might have downloaded TV shows and movies that you can remove.

If you're a movie buff like me, this could really free up some storage by removing old downloads!


4. Offload Unused Apps

Open the Settings app. Then choose the General category, then iPhone Storage and then enable Offload Unused Apps.

By doing this, your iPhone will automatically offload unused apps when you're low on storage, like when installing an iOS software update. All of your documents and data are saved though.

After completing an iOS software update, your apps will automatically download again and the data is put back in place.


5. Clear App Data for Social Media

Open the Settings app. Then choose the General category, then iPhone Storage and then scroll to a social media app like Instagram, Threads, or Facebook. Choose the option for Offload App.

By doing this, it will delete the app and free up storage used by the app while keeping the documents and data.

After offloading an app, you'll see the option to Reinstall App, which will download a clean copy of the app from the App Store and all your documents and data will still be there.

Social media apps are notorious for accumulating HUGE temporary app storage.


🗳️ Poll


✨ One more thing

Deciding which Mac to buy for college can be overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be.

For most students, the MacBook Air M3 is a fantastic computer for college.

However, there are some nuances in the buying process that are important to understand before clicking the ‘Buy’ button.

With over 14 years working in higher ed IT, Tom Anderson has deployed over 20,000 MacBooks and iPads to students.

Discover the best Mac for most college students, what to do before you buy, money-saving tips, and why you should get AppleCare+!

Until next time, see ya! 👋

Gannon

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205 | Unsubscribe | Preferences

Remote Work Starter Kit

Every other week, I identify one common mistake new remote workers make that's costing them comfort and productivity in their home office. You'll get beginner-friendly Mac-based gear recommendations, easy setup guides with photos, and budget-conscious alternatives—perfect for those just starting their remote work journey.

Read more from Remote Work Starter Kit
green gradient background with a white power icon in the center

TL;DR: Most new remote workers buy cheap USB-C hubs that can't handle their connectivity needs, leading to constant disconnects and frustration. Learn how to choose the right hub for your Mac setup and avoid spending money twice on this essential piece of gear. . . . . . Remember the last time your external monitor randomly disconnected during a Zoom call? Or when your keyboard kept freezing while presenting? I spent my first few months of remote work juggling three different cheap USB-C...

green gradient background with a video icon in the center

Hey Reader! 👋 Ever joined a video call and wondered why you look like you're calling from a cave? You know what I'm talking about: You're about to share your big idea in the team meeting when you catch a glimpse of yourself. Double chin from that low camera angle. Shadows making you look tired. Your face is so dark people probably think you're working from a closet! Left unfixed, these video call fails can hurt your professional image. They might even cost you that promotion or client deal...

green gradient background with a white computer window icon in the center

Hey Reader! 👋 Last week, I shared some exciting news about the newsletter's evolution, and your response was incredible! So many of you reached out to share your own remote work journeys and challenges. This week, we're diving into something I get asked about constantly: How to create the perfect Mac + iPad workflow for remote work. After 5 years of testing countless setups (and making plenty of mistakes along the way), I've cracked the code for a setup that actually works. 🔧 The perfect...