Space finished. I need your advice on how to manage iphone space

[britpoprule]

Hi everyone. I have a problem with the space available on the iphone. I don't know how to manage it. Mainly it's material coming from whatsapp conversations (photos and videos). And then there is no space anymore to update the OS. What do you do? I used to periodically download every single photo (of every conversation) to my mac, but it's a boring and lengthy process, and after a month or so you have to do it again. I've been using google photos (15 GBs available, and then when finished open a new account). Do you suggest to use icloud? Does icloud upload whatsapp photos in the cloud and take them away from the iphone space? Please help.

 

[ferrarr]

To update iOS you can connect to your PC (macOS or winOS) with USB cable and then run software update through either Finder (macOS) or iTunes/Music (winOS).

Managing space, is a constant process, when you have very little space available.

 

[pm-r]

This is a test. This is another test.

I have a problem with the space available on the iphone. I don't know how to manage it.

You might want to do yourself a favour and save a lot of work and time and give purchasing and using iMazing some serious consideration, and also end up with a backup of your data if you need it.
You can read more about it at their website here:

iMazing | iPhone, iPad & iPod Manager for Mac & PC

iMazing lets you transfer music, files, messages, apps and more from any iPhone, iPad, or iPod to a computer, Mac or PC. Manage and backup your iOS device simply without iTunes. (was DiskAid)

imazing.com

I don't know if there is a cheaper alternative available but it sometimes shows up on some Mac bundles for a good, affordable price.




- Patrick
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[Rod]

First question, how much total storage do you have on your iPhone?
Have you checked in Settings > iPhone Storage to see how much storage is being used by WhatsApp?

Heres mine for example;



So, I have 827.5MB of data stored in the WhatsApp application. This view of your iPhone storage is a very valuable tool mind you this is in iOS 18.4.1 so it may not look exactly the same on your iPhone.

In the WhatsApp application you also have Settings. If you go to Settings > Chats you will see a couple of handy options; one is to Save to Photos. If you turn this on all your WhatsApp photos and videos will be saved to the Apple Photos app. If you have sufficient storage or are willing to upgrade your Plan to iCloud+ you get 200GB of storage and a number of other features. You can then activate iCloud Photos Library which will allow you to store all of your photos in iCloud (including the ones saved from WhatsApp). You can then simply delete them from your iPhone.

The other two Setting in WhatsApp that you need to know about appear right at the bottom of the settings page.



Clear all Chats and Delete all Chats. If you have enabled "Save to Photos" your photos and videos should now be in the Photos app but check this first because I'm not sure it does this retrospectively, I've always had it on.

If so you can now use Clear all Chats or Delete all Chats. The difference is explained below;

"Clear All

Function: This option removes all messages from your chats but keeps the chat history intact (i.e., the chat threads remain visible).
Effect: You will no longer see the messages in those chats, but the contacts and chat structure will still be there. You can still start new conversations with those contacts.

Delete All Conversations

Function: This option removes all chat threads entirely from your WhatsApp.
Effect: All conversations are deleted, and you will no longer see those chat threads in the app. You will have to start new chats with those contacts if you want to message them again.
Summary

Clear All: Deletes messages but keeps chat threads.
Delete All Conversations: Removes entire chat threads, including contact visibility."

I think the "Clear All" option is the obvious winner here.

This is a common problem with email, Time Machine Backups and Messages, it seems some people like to keep them all forever. I am not one of those people. I save what I need to save, and file it, like email attachments/contact details and delete everything that's one year old. My logic is if I didn't need it after a year I probably never will.

I hope that helps, do get back on this thread if you have more questions or answers.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

Increase your iPhone storage with these tips | Macworld
https://www.macworld.com/article/668286/how-to-free-space-on-iphone.html

How to free up storage space on your iPhone or iPad | Apple Support
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwjcYyCneNc&t=9s

 

[IWT]

First question, how much total storage do you have on your iPhone?
Have you checked in Settings > iPhone Storage to see how much storage is being used by WhatsApp?

What a great post Rod. Very detailed and helpful for those who need it.

One tiny point: to get to iPhone Storage - it's Settings > General > iPhone Storage


Not being rude, hope you don't mind.

Ian

 

[Rod]

You're probably right there. I usually use the search box, Storage > iPhone Storage. Honestly, it's faster than trying to navigate the menu nowadays.

 

[Rod]

I could very well be wrong here but just Ckear all on WhatsApp may well be insufficient for an iOS update. Depends on how much storage is available.
Optimising the Photos Library can save lot of space. See below but you need iCloud Photos Library for that too.

 

[pm-r]

Honestly, it's faster than trying to navigate the menu nowadays.

Man you sure got that right what an understatement and what a mess Apple created with that method.
Has anyone found any sort of utility that can sort all the higgledy-piggledy mess that currently composes macOS System Settings.

I've tried doing your Google search numerous times but came up with nothing other than some comment said it can't be done because it's part of macOS's "protected system". What I just jointedness and what were the Apple developer programmers thinking? :-(

PS: I agree, using it search capability makes things much easier, especially with a double top on the control key to enable Apple's Dictation and then just speak the word of the setting you need and it will enter it for you and makes the selection easier. At least that works for me.




- Patrick
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[Rod]

100% agree on that. Same thing goes for macOS System Settings, dictation is great

 

[pm-r]

dictation is great

But it still needs a fair bit of improvement, and it would sure be nice to get some of its command features back that disappeared with some of the more recent macOS Updates.




- Patrick
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