Free up iPhone storage using Optimize iPhone Storage

How to free space on an iPhone without deleting photos from iCloud. Leave iCloud Photos turned on. Open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, then Photos, and turn on Optimize iPhone Storage. The phone keeps smaller copies and the full photos stay in iCloud. Don't delete photos while iCloud Photos is on, because that deletes them from iCloud too.

Posted on Nov 4, 2026 4:26 PM

1 reply

TheLittles

Level 10 (211,627 points)

Nov 4, 2026 4:52 PM in response to tillu_code

"Free up iPhone storage using Optimize iPhone Storage: How to free space on an iPhone without deleting photos from iCloud. Leave iCloud Photos turned on. Open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, then Photos, and turn on Optimize iPhone Storage. The phone keeps smaller copies and the full photos stay in iCloud. Don't delete photos while iCloud Photos is on, because that deletes them from iCloud too."

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Troubleshooting iPad Storage:

Internal storage cannot be upgraded. It is what it is. So, the maximum internal storage capacity never increases, even if you upgraded your iCloud plan. Learn More here: What's the Difference Between Device Storage and iCloud Storage? Apple Support

So, as for internal storage...

Use my User Tips: