Storage Almost Full shows up when an update stalls, or when Camera will not save. Apple’s fix path is still Settings, General, iPhone Storage. You do not need to buy more iCloud storage for device space. Device storage and iCloud storage are separate.
On iOS 27 the Storage screen lists recommendations and each app’s size. You can Offload an app, delete it, or turn on Offload Unused Apps so the phone removes unused apps while keeping documents and data. That matches Apple’s support pages for checking storage and freeing space before an update.
Open iPhone Storage
Open Settings. Tap General. Tap iPhone Storage.
Available space sits at the top. Below that, Apple may show Recommendations. A list of apps follows, with how much each one uses. Tap an app name for a detailed view. Cached and temporary data might not count in that view the same way the graph does.
If you only see a yellow or red bar and no useful list, wait a few seconds. The screen finishes scanning. Then scroll. Large apps such as Photos, Messages, and streaming clients usually sit near the top.
Need room for a day-one build? Our iPhone 18 Pro day-one update note and the iOS 26.7 / iOS 27 build rundown are useful context. Free local space before Download and Install.
Use Recommendations when storage is full
Apple says that when storage is full, use recommendations to optimize storage. On the Storage screen, look for Recommendations. Tap Show All if you only see one or two lines.
Read each description. Tap Enable to turn a recommendation on, or tap the recommendation itself to review content you can delete. Typical targets are large videos, unused downloads, and old attachments. Follow what the phone lists.
A Storage Almost Full alert is the same signal. Check recommendations first, then remove videos or apps you no longer need. Buying iCloud+ does not enlarge the on-device bar.
Offload App versus Delete App
Tap any app in the Storage list. Apple offers Offload App and Delete App on many titles.
Offload App frees the storage used by the app binary. It keeps documents and data. The icon stays on the Home Screen with a cloud mark. Tap it later to reinstall. Delete App removes the app and its related data. Some apps also let you delete selected documents without removing the whole app.
Offload is the safer first move when you might reopen the app next week. Delete is for apps you will not miss. Purchased apps can usually be downloaded again from your purchase history.
Turn on Offload Unused Apps
Apple’s iPhone User Guide puts the automatic switch here: Settings, Apps, App Store, then turn on Offload Unused Apps.
When storage runs low, iPhone can remove unused apps and keep documents and data. The icon remains with a cloud symbol. Tap it to reinstall. Older guides pointed at Settings, App Store. On recent iOS builds, including iOS 27, the Apps folder is the documented path.
You can still remove apps manually from the Home Screen or from the Storage list. Offload Unused Apps only automates the unused ones. It does not wipe Photos or Messages by itself.
What not to chase in the storage graph
Apple notes that Other or System Data in the graph is not something you manually clear like a folder. Free space by deleting or offloading apps and content you control, and by using Recommendations. The system clears many caches when it needs room.
Photos and videos often dominate. After you back up to iCloud Photos, you can remove local copies you no longer need on the device. Large Files downloads and offline TV titles are easy to forget.
Today’s Back Tap screenshot Shortcut guide is a separate Accessibility path. Storage fixes stay under General, iPhone Storage. For another Settings tweak, see the Messages audio button tip.
Photo: Apple Newsroom / Apple Intelligence in Photos; iCloud Shared Album; Notify Me
Source: Apple Support, How to check the storage on your iPhone and iPad (support.apple.com/en-us/108429); If you need more space for an update (support.apple.com/HT203097); iPhone User Guide, Manage storage on iPhone
