What if operating system takes up over half of my storage so that I am unable to save photos and have only two or three operational apps?

I’m trying to hang on to my elderly SE, but it has no storage capacity even though I’ve bought into iCloud. The operating system takes up over half of the phone’s storage, so I am unable to store more than a few photos. Is this weird or normal?

iPhone SE, iOS 15

Posted on Sep 9, 2023 12:12 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 9, 2023 12:32 PM

It is perfectly normal.


I would like you to realize and know one important thing and that is that there is NOTHING that you can do to increase the physical storage capacity of your iPhone. Your iPhone's storage capacity will forever remain the same as the day you bought it. 


You have purchased ➔ iCloud Storage from Apple where you create and save your iPhone backups and synch (Not Store) your Messages, Photos, Contacts, Calendars, Notes and Reminders. Note that iCloud Storage is NOT an extension of storage capacity of your iPhone. Just wanted you to know some facts.


Having said that, you can choose to Optimize Storage on your iPhone for all the Photos. What this action will do is store your original quality photos on iCloud and a small size photo on your iPhone. This takes up less space on your iPhone while maintaining the actual size on iCloud. This will free up space on your iPhone while making good use of iCloud. If you would like to try this then open Settings ➔ Photos ➔ Optimize iPhone Storage : Ensure that this option is chosen and has a checkmark on it.


Axel F.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 9, 2023 12:32 PM in response to Frizzla

It is perfectly normal.


I would like you to realize and know one important thing and that is that there is NOTHING that you can do to increase the physical storage capacity of your iPhone. Your iPhone's storage capacity will forever remain the same as the day you bought it. 


You have purchased ➔ iCloud Storage from Apple where you create and save your iPhone backups and synch (Not Store) your Messages, Photos, Contacts, Calendars, Notes and Reminders. Note that iCloud Storage is NOT an extension of storage capacity of your iPhone. Just wanted you to know some facts.


Having said that, you can choose to Optimize Storage on your iPhone for all the Photos. What this action will do is store your original quality photos on iCloud and a small size photo on your iPhone. This takes up less space on your iPhone while maintaining the actual size on iCloud. This will free up space on your iPhone while making good use of iCloud. If you would like to try this then open Settings ➔ Photos ➔ Optimize iPhone Storage : Ensure that this option is chosen and has a checkmark on it.


Axel F.

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What if operating system takes up over half of my storage so that I am unable to save photos and have only two or three operational apps?

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