PhoneDiet

How to free up space on iPhone

Open Settings › General › iPhone Storage to see what's using space. Photos and videos are usually the biggest category, so start there: delete large videos, duplicate photos and old screenshots, then empty Recently Deleted in Photos. Offload apps you don't use, and restart your iPhone to let iOS release temporary files.

Using iOS's built-in tools

  1. Open Settings › General › iPhone Storage and wait for the bar to load. It shows which categories and apps use the most space.
  2. Check the recommendations at the top, such as Offload Unused Apps or Review Large Attachments, and turn on the ones you want.
  3. Open the Photos app. Under Media Types, review Videos and Screenshots; under Utilities, open Duplicates and merge the copies.
  4. Delete apps you no longer use, or tap an app in iPhone Storage and choose Offload App to keep its data.
  5. In Photos, open Utilities › Recently Deleted, tap Select, then Delete All. Space isn't released until you do this or 30 days pass.
  6. Restart your iPhone. iOS often frees leftover update and temporary files on restart.

The faster way with PhoneDiet

  1. Open PhoneDiet and allow photo access. It scans your library on your iPhone; nothing is uploaded.
  2. Tap Smart Review for the safe picks: old screenshots, screen recordings and duplicate copies. Favourites are never included.
  3. Open Large Videos to see every video sorted by size, then untick anything you want to keep.
  4. Tap Delete. iOS asks you to confirm, and the items move to Recently Deleted.

PhoneDiet works on your photo library, where most personal storage goes. It can't clear other apps' caches or System Data; iOS doesn't let any app do that.

Common questions

What takes up the most space on an iPhone?

For most people it's photos and videos, especially 4K video, followed by large apps such as games and messaging apps with saved media. Settings › General › iPhone Storage shows the exact breakdown for your phone.

Will offloading an app delete my data?

No. Offloading removes the app but keeps its documents and data. Reinstalling it from the App Store brings everything back.

Updated October 2026 for iOS 26. Menu names can differ slightly between iOS versions.