Storage Almost Full pops up. Or Software Update says there is not enough space. Camera may refuse a new shot. Apple’s path is still Settings, General, iPhone Storage. You do not buy more iCloud storage for this. Device storage and iCloud storage are separate.
On iOS 27 the Storage screen shows recommendations and a list of apps. You can Offload an app, Delete App, or turn on Offload Unused Apps under Settings, Apps, App Store. That matches Apple Support pages for checking storage and freeing space before an update.
Open iPhone Storage and read recommendations
Open Settings. Tap General. Tap iPhone Storage.
Available space sits at the top. Below that, Apple may list Recommendations. Tap Show All when that control appears. Read each tip. Tap Enable to turn one on, or open the recommendation to review content you can delete.
If the alert says Storage Almost Full, Apple says check those recommendations or remove content such as videos and apps. Cached and temporary files can leave on their own when space runs low. You do not need to chase Other or System Data in the graph. Apple says leave those alone and free apps and content you do not need instead.
Offload App or Delete App from the list
Scroll the app list under iPhone Storage. Tap any app to see how much space it uses. Cached data might not show in that total.
Offload App frees the app’s storage and keeps documents and data. The Home Screen icon can stay with a cloud mark. Tap it later to reinstall.
Delete App removes the app and related data. Some apps, like Apple Music, let you delete certain documents and data while the app stays. Purchased apps and content can download again from your Apple Account.
Photos, Messages attachments, offline TV downloads, and files in the Files app also eat space. Apple’s iPhone User Guide lists those as common sources. Back up photos to iCloud first if you plan to remove local copies. Clearing Safari site data is a different cleanup; see clear Safari history and website data when browser cache is the issue, not the update stall.
Turn on Offload Unused Apps
When storage stays low, iPhone can remove unused apps automatically and keep your data. Path: Settings, Apps, App Store. Turn on Offload Unused Apps.
That switch is separate from Offload App on one title. An older site note covers the same App Store toggle in free storage with Offload Unused Apps. Use it once, then return to Software Update.
Retry Software Update, or install from a computer
After you free space, open Settings, General, Software Update again. Try the download and install once more.
If the phone still refuses the update, Apple says connect to a computer. On a Mac, open Finder. On a PC, open the Apple Devices app, or iTunes on older setups. Plug in the iPhone, select the device, click Check for Update, then Download and Update.
That computer path does not need extra free space on the phone for the same download size. It still needs a trusted cable connection.
Public iOS 27 remains on build 24A437 in today’s firmware note. Beta trains move on different builds. Storage Almost Full is not a Focus schedule. A Do Not Disturb schedule under Focus will not free update space.
Photo: Apple Newsroom / OS availability hero, Apple Intelligence in Photos, iCloud Shared Album
Source: Apple Support – How to check the storage on your iPhone and iPad; Apple Support – If you need more space for an update; iPhone User Guide – Manage storage on iPhone
