You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

How do I buy more device storage for ipad

Do you know how to buy more device storage on iPad?

iPad, iPadOS 15

Posted on Sep 30, 2022 7:07 PM

Reply
3 replies

Sep 30, 2022 7:36 PM in response to Lexy_780

Lexy_780 Said:

"Do you know how to buy more device storage on iPad?"

-------


For reference...

Troubleshooting iPad Storage:

Internal storage cannot be upgraded. It is what it is. So, the maximum internal storage capacity never increases, even if you upgraded your iCloud plan. Learn More here: What's the Difference Between Device Storage and iCloud Storage? Apple Support


So, what to do:

Clear Space:

Having little empty space can heat things up. So, here is what to perform...

A. Clear Temporary Internet Files:

Clear your Temporary Internet Files(Cookies & Cache) of Safari:


Also...

B. Clean TV and Music Libraries:

Remove all unneeded files from your TV and Music Libraries. Full-Movies take up 2-4GB typically, and a bunch of those would take up a load of storage, ideally. So, if you have any movies that are not needed, then delete them.


Also...

C. "Other" being the Culprit:

System Data (formerly called "Other"), basically contains unnecessary files such as caches that are used for system ease of use - all of which gather over time. Caches would be being used for remembrance of application use.  Use my User Tip: How to Clear "Other" in your iPhone's Storage - Use Backup - User Tip

Sep 30, 2022 8:28 PM in response to Lexy_780

You don’t.

All Apple iOS devices have a fixed amount of intetnal data storage space that can never be increased.


You need to better manage the storage you have.


If you need to free up free, internal data storage space on an iPad/iDevice, you need to start by backing up your iPad to either Apple's iCloud ( you may need to pay for additional, monthly storage space ) or by connecting your iDevice to a an older Mac or Windows PC computer running the latest iTunes or, if a newer Mac with a much newer macOS, like macOS Catalina, or later, use the macOS Finder to do the device backup and/or use some other offsite, “cloud” data storage/backup services, like Google Drive/Photos, BOX, DropBox, Amazon Cloud Drive, Flickr ( for photos/images ), etc.


Then, delete any installed apps that you no longer use or use infrequently enough that they aren't missed (you can always reinstalled any purchased or free apps at some time later, as you need them).

In addition, uninstall any games that appear to be using a sizable chunk of your iPad's internal storage, as well!


( A disclaimer to the immediate advice above. )

If you own a 7-10-year old iPad, you SHOULD ONLY delete apps that you have ever seldom used or no longer use as there is NO WAY now, from 2020 onward, to retrieve these old apps from the iOS App Store, any longer.


( Third party iOS app developers have permanently removed all of their older, legacy apps from Apple's iOS App Store servers forever!

There are, VIRTUALLY, NO more older, useful, popular, third party apps for over 8-10-year old iOS devices, any longer! )



Then, thin out/delete any music/videos/movies/TV shows/podcasts/screen recordings/photos-images/eBooks/

eMagazine/iBooks/audio books/Documents/PDFs, etc.



If you use a POP email account on your iPad, delete/thin out any old saved emails that maybe saved to your iPad.


To permanently delete photos/images off of your iDevice go into the Photos app and find the Recently Deleted folder/album and permanently delete any photos/images stored in that folder/album.


Also, you can check to see what other stuff is eating up all your valuable data storage space by going into the Settings App,,General Settings Panel, in the right hand column, tap Storage & iCloud usage panel ( in iOS 11 and later, it’s now called iPad Storage ), in the top Storage Panel, tap the Manage Storage panel, wait for a list of apps to generate that will tell you how much space each app is taking up on your iDevice.


Then, for older iPad models with a Home button, do a hard reset of your iPad by holding down both the Home and sleep/wake buttons simultaneously until your iPad goes to black and restarts with Apple logo, then release the buttons.


OR


For much newer, larger screen iPad models, without a Home button, try the new hard reset procedure for the new 2018/2020 iPad Pro and iPad Air 4 models.


1. Press and release the volume UP button.


2. Then immediately press and release the Volume DOWN button.


3. Then, press and hold the sleep/wake/power button at the top. You will see the Slide to Power off button, but keep on holding down the power button until you see the Apple logo, then let it go.


Once you have performed all the steps, wait for a few seconds and your 2018 iPad Pro will boot up completely to the iPad Pro’s Lock screen.


ALL iOS/iPadOS devices need to maintain, at the very least, a minimum of between 3-6 GBs of free data storage space, AT ALL TIMES, to insure normal/nominal functionalities/operation and general overall performance of any iOS device running iOS/iPadOS.



If not all of this solves your iPad storage issues, your ONLY other option is to do a complete backup, erase and restore of your iPad model.


How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support


Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support


Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support



Good Luck to You!


How do I buy more device storage for ipad

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.