I just tried to download iOS 17, but my phone says there’s not enough storage space. Can anyone tell me the exact size of the update so I can free up the right amount of space? Thanks!
To update to iOS 17, you need roughly between 4GB to 6GB of free space on your device. But honestly, it’s always a safe bet to aim for about 8GB of free space to accommodate temporary files and other system requirements during the installation process.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown to help you manage your storage better. Your phone needs some buffer space beyond the actual update size to ensure everything runs smoothly. When there’s insufficient buffer, it can lead to system hiccups, and that’s probably why your update isn’t proceeding.
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Clear Cache and Temporary Files
- This can free up a surprising amount of space. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Check “Photos” and “Safari” sections to clear unnecessary cache and temp files.
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Offload Unused Apps
- In the same iPhone Storage section, you’ll see a list of all the apps and how much space they take up. You can offload apps that you don’t use frequently. This means the app itself is removed, but its data remains, so when you reinstall, it’s like nothing changed. Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Enable “Offload Unused Apps”.
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Remove Large Files and Old Messages
- If you have lots of media files, like photos and videos, consider moving them to your computer or cloud storage. Also, iMessage and other messaging apps can store a ton of media over time. Go to Messages > Keep Messages and set it to 1 Year or 30 Days to automatically delete older messages.
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Delete Mail Attachments
- If you use the default Mail app, this can also take up significant space. The easiest way to clean it up without losing essential files is by going to Mail > Accounts and removing the mail account, then adding it back.
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Optimize Photos
- If you’ve not done this, turn on the “Optimize iPhone Storage” feature by going to Settings > Photos. This stores the full-resolution photos in iCloud, and smaller versions on your phone.
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Delete Downloaded Content
- Some apps like Spotify, Netflix, and Podcasts can store a lot of downloaded episodes and songs. Check these for any offline content that you can stream instead of storing.
And everything above assumes that your phone’s software is running smoothly. If your phone’s been through several updates without a clean install, legacy files and older updates might be bloating your storage without you knowing. For a more comprehensive clean:
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Reset Settings
- Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This doesn’t delete your data, only settings. It’s not for freeing up storage, but if you’re facing space issues without apparent reasons, it might help.
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Factory Reset
- If desperate times call for desperate measures, back up everything to iCloud or your computer, then do a factory reset. Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Restore your phone afterward. Again, this is a last resort!
After doing some or all of these steps, you should definitely free up enough space for the iOS 17 update. Be sure to connect to a stable WiFi network and keep your phone charged or plugged in during the update process. This ensures everything runs smoothly without unexpected interruptions.
If after all these steps you’re still struggling with space, it’s worth checking if your storage is being consumed by things like backup files lodged in iCloud, ensuring you don’t have redundant backup copies. Head to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Manage Storage to tweak these settings accordingly.
Pro-tip: Once you’ve freed up the necessary space, keep an eye on how your storage is being used. Regular clearing and optimal usage can prevent the same issue when the next big software update comes around. Good luck!
Hey, cool to see someone else tackling the iOS 17 update! 
I second what @byteguru said, but I’ve got a few more thoughts that might help you maneuver through this without too much hassle.
First, double-check if you’ve got some “Other” storage gnawing away at your space. This mysterious “Other” category includes system cache, logs, updates, etc. A quick way to minimize this is by performing a force restart of your iPhone. Press and hold the volume down button and sleep/wake button until you see the Apple logo. It doesn’t always work wonders, but it can sometimes clear out unnecessary files.
Also, if you haven’t already tried, connect your iPhone to iTunes on your computer. Sometimes iTunes handles the update process more efficiently, especially when you’re tight on space. This way, it can leverage your computer storage in the middle of the update.
Now, @byteguru mentioned offloading unused apps, which is awesome, but don’t overlook games! Games can be storage hogs, especially if you’ve got a few big ones like PUBG or Call of Duty. Deleting and reinstalling them later might save you a good chunk of space.
And here’s a slightly different angle: use third-party cleaner apps. Yes, they can be controversial, and many people are wary of them, but some genuinely help. Apps like Gemini Photos or PhoneClean claim to clean out duplicates and other junk files. Just be cautious about granting full permissions.
I have to slightly disagree with @byteguru on the factory reset. It’s a bit of a drastic measure for just freeing up space for an update. It’s great for a fresh start or if you’re having serious issues with your phone, but for an update, it’s a bit too extreme.
Lastly, a lot of folks overlook their iCloud settings—make sure you’re not just storing unnecessary backups or duplicates. You can manage these by heading into your iCloud settings and tweaking what’s being backed up. Trust me, sometimes they’re just hogging up space you could use better.
Hope some of these extra steps help you get that iOS 17 update rolling! 
Let us know how it goes!
Really? You need 8GB of space for an update? That’s ridiculous. Apple supposed to be user-friendly, not making us jump through hoops just to keep our phones up to date. How about scaling back on the bloatware instead of constantly asking us to free up space?
And what’s this obsession with offloading unused apps? Maybe I don’t use an app every single day, but I still want it there when I do need it. Offloading might save space, but it’s annoying to redownload every time. If you’re really going this route, at least keep a list of what you offload so you don’t forget.
Deleting mail attachments and old messages? Sure, but it’s such a manual and time-consuming task. Third-party cleaners like Gemini Photos can help, but there’s no way I’m trusting them with full access to my files. One mistake and boom, my important stuff’s gone. Also, aren’t they just cash-grabs with monthly fees?
Optimizing photos via iCloud is another chore. With how slow iCloud can be—if you ever try to access those full-res photos again, expect to wait forever. And how is this any different from just uploading photos to Google Photos or some other cloud service? Both are just as slow and susceptible to data breaches.
Factory resets? A hard no. I’ve done it once and it’s a nightmare restoring everything, not to mention the hours lost reconfiguring settings. And don’t get me started on the “miscellaneous” storage—they should let us clear it ourselves without needing a forced restart.
Lastly, connecting to iTunes for an update? It’s like Apple forgot they even made iTunes. Clunky, slow, and basically a relic now. Seriously, Apple should learn simplicity is key, not making us struggle with every iOS update. Yeah, good luck with that iOS 17! You’ll need it.