I. Introduction
Almost everyone finds themselves running out of storage space on their iPhone at some point. It can be frustrating to constantly have to delete apps, photos, and videos just to make room for new ones. However, there are several ways to buy more iPhone storage and optimize the space that you do have.
In this article, we’ll explore different ways to expand your iPhone’s storage capacity, weigh the pros and cons and provide tips and tricks for managing your storage properly.
II. 6 Simple Steps to Buying More iPhone Storage Space
Here are six straightforward ways to free up space on your iPhone and add additional storage space:
1. Clearing the cache
Deleting your browsing data or the cache files from your iPhone browser can often take up a lot of space and clearing them out is a quick and easy way to free up space.
2. Deleting unused apps
Unused apps can quickly add to the clutter on your iPhone and deleting them is a great way to free up space.
3. Offloading unused apps
If you don’t want to completely delete an app, you can offload it to free up space. This will remove the app from your iPhone but keep its data, allowing you to reinstall it easily later.
4. Upgrading iCloud storage plan
You can upgrade your iCloud storage plan to gain as much as 2TB of storage. This is a good option if you primarily store your data in the cloud or want to backup your iPhone.
5. Using external storage devices
You can use external drives that plug into your iPhone to provide additional storage space. These are a good option if you have large files or media that you want to keep close-at-hand.
6. Upgrading iPhone’s internal storage
This method may not apply to everyone as it requires taking apart your iPhone, but you can upgrade your iPhone’s internal storage if you have the expertise to do so or you find the right repair shop.
III. The Ultimate Guide to Expanding Your iPhone’s Storage Capacity
Here, we’ll explore each of these options in detail and their pros and cons.
Clearing the cache
The cache files in your iPhone’s browser, apps, and system can take up a lot of storage space over time. Clearing them is easy and quick. You can do this for individual apps, for the browser or for your entire iPhone. Simply go to ‘Settings,’ then ‘General,’ and finally ‘iPhone Storage.’ From there, you’ll see a list of apps and how much space they’re using. Choose an app, and then click the option to ‘Offload App’ or ‘Delete App.’ Occasionally, you will notice that your iPhone is using more space than what is listed, by deleting more significant chunks of data you can reclaim that space.
Deleting unused apps
If you’re not using an app, there’s no reason to keep it on your iPhone. Deleting it is a quick and easy way to free up space. Simply press and hold the app icon until you see a small ‘X’ in the upper-left corner. Tap that ‘X’ and select ‘Delete.’ Keep in mind that this method only applies to the app itself and any data can be deleted or offloaded from ‘Settings.’
Offloading unused apps
If there’s an app that you don’t use often but don’t want to get rid of, offloading is a good option. This will remove the app from your iPhone, but keep its data and settings. It also means that the app can be quickly reinstalled later. You can do this by going to ‘Settings,’ ‘General,’ ‘iPhone Storage’ and then selecting ‘Offload App.’
Upgrading iCloud storage plan
iCloud is Apple’s cloud storage service that’s tightly integrated with the iPhone and can be used to automatically back up your iPhone data. You get free storage of 5GB, but you can easily upgrade the plan for very little cost, depending on the amount of space you need. iCloud storage can be accessed on all your Apple devices, which is an added advantage if you own other Apple products.
Using external storage devices
External devices are an excellent option for people who take a lot of photos and videos, have many documents, or need to access large files on the go. You can connect external storage drives through the Lightning port on your iPhone and access them through the app. Some of the popular options include Sandisk iXpand Flash Drive, SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick, Leef iBridge Mobile Memory, and Seagate Wireless Plus hard drive.
Upgrading iPhone’s internal storage
If you’re a big fan of DIY, you can take apart your iPhone and upgrade the internal storage yourself. Apple does not officially endorse this method, and it’s not advisable for everyone considering the risks involved. Additionally, this method will invalidate your warranty.
IV. How to Optimize Your iPhone’s Storage and Maximize Capacity
Now that we’ve covered ways to add storage space to your iPhone, let’s explore ways to keep your device optimized for storage purposes
Enabling optimized storage
Optimized storage allows you to keep only the latest photos and videos on your iPhone, and Apple will automatically upload your older files to iCloud for storage. To activate this, go to ‘Settings,’ ‘Photos,’ and then activate ‘Optimize iPhone Storage.’
Managing photos and videos
Photos and videos are usually one of the biggest culprits when it comes to taking up space on your iPhone. To manage your photos, you can use the ‘Photos’ app to delete any non-essential photos and videos, while also using the ‘Recently deleted’ folder to permanently delete items you don’t need anymore.
Managing music and media files
Deleting and removing music from your iPhone can be a straightforward way to save space. An additional option is to stream music using services like Apple Music or Spotify instead of downloading it. Your media files should also be checked and deleted occasionally to reclaim storage space.
Tips for keeping storage usage in check
Be mindful of the amount of space new apps and folders will take up on your iPhone; the more apps you have, the more storage you’ll need. Be diligent about removing never-used apps and regularly go through your iPhone storage to see how you’re doing.If you don’t use cloud storage, it might be time to start. Keeping your documents, photos, and videos saved online means they aren’t taking up space on your iPhone. Consider having your backups and camera roll upload automatically to the cloud.
V. Everything You Need to Know Before Upgrading Your iPhone’s Storage
As we have mentioned, it’s possible to upgrade your iPhone’s storage, but there are a few things you should know before doing so.
Pros and cons of upgrading internal storage
Upgrading your iPhone’s internal storage isn’t easy and should only be done by an experienced technician. The process of doing so has several pros and cons; the most significant pro is that once upgraded, you’ll have additional storage space, while the most significant cons are complexity, safety, and cost.
Compatibility with different iPhone models and iOS versions
Not all iPhones can have their internal storage upgraded. Several newer iPhone models do not come with the option to upgrade internal storage such as the iPhone X and later versions. It is essential to make sure you check the compatibility before proceeding.
Steps to upgrade internal storage
Upgrading iPhone storage is not an easy task, and it’s not something that you should take on yourself. If you’re set on upgrading, you should seek out a professional technician who has experience updating iPhones and specifically upgrading internal storage in iPhones.
VI. Why It’s Worth Investing in More iPhone Storage Space
If you’re still on the fence about whether or not it’s worth spending money to expand your iPhone storage, consider the following benefits.
Benefits of having more storage
Having additional storage space on your iPhone means that you can carry more with you while allowing you to take full advantage of your iPhone’s capabilities, which can be essential for people who use their iPhone for work activities. You won’t have to constantly delete apps and other data files whenever you need space for new ones, but instead, have the freedom to keep your favorite apps and files close by.
Ways in which it improves overall iPhone experience
Having additional storage space can make your iPhone experience much more seamless and enjoyable. With extra storage, you won’t have to be concerned about filling up your memory, trying to install new apps, or downloading the latest content or OS updates. There will be no lag due to an iPhone with low storage capacity since it is known to slow down. Also, for the advanced user, a phone with extra storage means more space to push their device to the limits with new software and applications and media.
VII. Tips and Tricks for Clearing Space and Buying More Storage on Your iPhone
Here are some additional tips and tricks for managing your iPhone’s storage space.
Alternate ways of buying storage
The App Store has a few apps such as iMyFone Umate, PhoneClean, and CleanMyPhone, which can help clean up space on your device with little effort. Once space is cleared, you can purchase iCloud storage to increase your overall storage capacity.
Advanced tips for clearing space
An advanced user can go to the app folders in their storage settings and delete any duplicate files to free up space. Another option is to run a diagnostic test on the phone to find any problems or bloatware taking up excess space.
Best practices for managing storage
Regularly go through your devices, offload or delete broken files or data, and sign up for a cloud-based storage solution. Only install the apps and software you genuinely need and be wary of app sizes.
VIII. Comparing the Options for Expanding iPhone Storage: External Drives vs Cloud Storage
Here are some of the main differences between External Drives vs Cloud Storage:
Pros and cons of using external drives
External drives offer the benefit of being local, which means that they’re great for situations where you may not have internet access. However, they are limited in space, by their physical size, and often can be lost or misplaced. They are also pricier and can more quickly expire over time than hard disk drives can.
Pros and cons of using cloud storage
Cloud storage offers many advantages, starting with nearly limitless space long-term (so long as you pay the monthly subscription, or utilize one of the ‘free-space’ options available). Also, the ability to access that data or files remotely and share things with others at any time. However, there is a potential risk in security breaches or data loss and they may slow down one’s internet speeds if large files must upload, or slow down the device through heavy usage when apps that use cloud storage are running in the background.
Which option is best for different types of users?
Avid phone photographers and social media power users will likely benefit more from using one of the cloud storage systems like iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. Users who don’t need to use their phones much or store files will find external drives more practical. But the reality is, for most people, a combination of both a cloud storage system and external drives will offer the most comprehensive solution.
IX. Conclusion
In conclusion, this guide has explored the various methods of adding storage capacity to your iPhone. Now that you know more about the options available, you can choose which ones may work for you. Whether you decide to stream your music, use external drives, or upgrade your phone’s internal storage, you will notice the benefits of having more storage space and the freedom that comes along with that.
Keeping on top of your storage is a vital part of maintaining your iPhone and we have offered tips throughout this guide to help you do that. It’s worth taking some time regularly to go through your phone, back up important data, and delete anything you no longer need.
