Running low on space can slow your iPhone XR down and prevent new apps, photos, or updates from installing. The good news? It’s easy to free up space by offloading or deleting apps — especially the ones you rarely use. Here’s how to manage your storage and keep your iPhone running smoothly.
1. Check Your iPhone Storage Usage
Start by identifying which apps and files are using the most space.
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Wait a moment for your phone to load the storage breakdown.
- You’ll see a list of apps sorted by the amount of space they use.
2. Offload Unused Apps (Without Losing Data)
Offloading an app deletes the app itself but keeps its documents and data, so you can reinstall it later without losing anything.
- Tap on an app from the list in Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Tap Offload App.
- Confirm when prompted.
You can still see the app icon on your Home screen — tap it anytime to reinstall.
Tip: To automatically offload unused apps, go to Settings > App Store > Offload Unused Apps and toggle it ON.
3. Delete Apps You No Longer Use
If you don’t plan to use an app again, just delete it completely:
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Tap on the app and select Delete App.
- Confirm your choice.
This removes both the app and its data from your iPhone.
4. Manage Photos and Videos
These can quickly eat up space. Here’s how to reduce their footprint:
- Back up photos to iCloud, Google Photos, or a computer.
- Once backed up, delete large videos and duplicate photos from your device.
- Enable Optimize iPhone Storage under Settings > Photos if you use iCloud.
5. Clear Safari Cache and Message Attachments
You can also free up some space by removing old website data and message attachments:
- Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.
- Go to Settings > Messages > Keep Messages, and change to 30 Days if set to Forever.