I need to know how much storage iOS 17 requires. My phone is running out of space, and I want to make sure I have enough room before updating. Can anyone share the amount of storage iOS 17 takes up?
Do you seriously trust Apple with their storage claims? They’re always vague about it. The iOS 17 update is likely to need somewhere between 4 to 6GB. Yeah, it’s that big. They say you need at least 10GB free for the update process to have enough breathing room.
One con? You’ll probably have to turn off some of your apps or delete stuff you actually like using. If your phone’s old, you might notice it running slower too. And don’t even get me started on the battery. Pro tip? Use ‘Storage & iCloud Usage’ under settings to see what’s eating your space.
Also, you might want to consider that your photos, videos, and other media are usually the main culprits. Apple’s iCloud storage plan could help but do you really want to pay monthly for more storage not even on your phone?
On the flip side, you get all the new features with iOS 17, but if space is tight, it’s a pain. Google’s Android updates tend to be less storage-intensive, but if you’re an Apple-loyalist, you’re stuck playing Apple’s game.
@techchizkid provides a pretty solid game plan for handling your storage concerns with iOS 17, but just to add a bit more depth and a unique perspective to the chat…
The iOS 17 update probably falls somewhere in the 4-6GB range like mentioned, but it’s always good to prepare a buffer space, especially since system updates need extra room to unpack and install. Allocating 10GB of free space is a good rule of thumb, but let’s also look at the way iOS handles storage optimizations post-update.
First, check the current iOS version’s “System Data” usage. Go to "Settings > General > iPhone Storage.” The area labeled “System” often skyrockets post-update since fresh installs cache a lot of temporary files and logs. Over time, Apple’s algorithms optimize and clear some of this out, but during initial installation, you should indeed expect a bloating phase.
Expanding on @techchizkid’s note on Photos, Videos and media, consider offloading or compressing things before making the plunge:
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Photos & Videos: Utilize integrated features like “Offload Unused Apps” under "Settings > General > iPhone Storage”. This can temporarily free up hardware space without fully deleting core apps. Remember, you can always re-download these apps from the App Store asynchronously.
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Media Transfer: If paying for iCloud isn’t appealing (and it’s understandable why it might not be), another alternative would be external storage solutions. For instance, using apps like Google Photos for free, albeit with some quirky limitations, or even investing in hardware like a small external SSD that connects through a Lightning or USB-C port depending on your device model for local and easy transfers.
An often-overlooked point:
- App Data Bloat: Apps like social media or chat apps (WhatsApp, Facebook) accumulate a shocking amount of cached data over time. Periodically clearing these caches (Settings within the specific app) or even temporarily deleting and reinstalling the app can regain several GB easily before an update.
As a possible disagreement with @techchizkid’s point about Android updates being less storage-intensive—while that may hold some truth for certain iterations or devices, fragmentation and OEM software layers (like Samsung’s One UI) can sometimes rival Apple’s storage needs, often with less predictability on older devices.
From a hardware perspective, definitely keep an eye on your battery health (Settings > Battery > Battery Health). Older iPhones do suffer post-update optimization hits more tangibly—this can influence your user experience beyond just storage woes.
Important note on the “Storage & iCloud Usage”:
It’s superior functionality given the “Recommendations” tab—useful for not just revealing what consumes most of your space, but it also suggests instant actions like large attachments in Messages, large files, and unused apps—you’ll find this mention under “'Review large attachments” and “'Review personal videos.” These could be life-savers in your scenario.
Lastly, considering privacy matters accelerated by Apple’s stance on on-device data handling, wearing a tinfoil hat (metaphorically) isn’t such a bad idea sometimes. If you’re hesitant about pushing things onto iCloud for storage efficiency, be sure to encrypt backups when using local storage methods.
Implementing the above strategies can provide you an efficient hedge against frequent space bottlenecks, ensuring that iOS 17’s new flavors (dynamic widgets, spatial audio, whatever they’ve cooked up next) comes with minimum friction. Let your iPhone breathe easier!
Honestly, the iOS 17 size can be a bit of a downer for anyone working with limited storage, especially if you’re using an older iPhone model. The 4-6GB estimate from @byteguru is pretty spot on, but you really need that extra 10GB buffer for a smooth update, it’s not just a recommendation—it’s almost necessary.
If clearing up space is already stressing you out, think about alternative storage solutions. Both Apple and Google can seem like the classic ‘make you pay for more’ dilemma. You could try using an old-school method like transferring your photos and videos directly to a computer. It’s free and keeps your stuff out of the cloud if you’re worried about privacy. Then delete those files off your phone to free up gigs of space instantly.
One thing nobody talks about enough is the “Other” category that Apple has in the storage settings under “iPhone Storage.” It can sometimes hog 10GB or more without you even realizing it. It’s basically a mix of caches, system data, and other miscellaneous stuff. Clearing that isn’t straightforward, but a clean software reinstall can help trim it down. So before you update, back up your iPhone, do a factory reset, and restore from your backup. Voila! Space regained.
Let’s not forget, though, the classic app bloating issue @techchizkid mentioned. But, another nifty trick with apps is to check what’s taking up space within each app. For example, go into WhatsApp settings > Storage and Data > Manage Storage. It gives you a breakdown of chats that are eating your storage. Surprisingly effective if you’ve got cramped space!
Beware of the battery drain post-update too. If your device is already struggling, this might be the nail in the coffin. Older models with battery health below 80% tend to feel the pinch more harshly once updated.
Lastly, if you’re not dead set on updating to iOS 17 immediately, consider waiting it out a bit. The first few patches after a major update usually come with bug fixes that optimize storage use and battery life. You’ll get a “lighter” and more stable installation down the line.
Swipe and clear wisely and good luck with the update!