How to make room on iPad for latest software update.

I need to remove apps on my iPad to make room for latest software update. But I cannot delete Apple Photos app, which is taking up a lot of storage space. What else can I do to make room for update?

iPad, iPadOS 18

Posted on Mar 9, 2025 07:36 AM

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Posted on Mar 9, 2025 12:44 PM

Temporarily move your photos to iCloud. You have 5GB free icloud storage just by virtue of having an Apple account. If that's not enough, you can upgrade to 50GB for one month at 99 cents and then downgrade to the free 5GB after updating and restoring your photos to your phone.


Hope this is helpful.

5 replies

Mar 11, 2025 10:24 AM in response to Hippie3

If your internal storage is full, your only option is to better manage the storage that you have - and delete unused Apps or unneeded data. 


These support pages should prove to be helpful:

About storage on your device and in iCloud – Apple Support

What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? – Apple Support

Manage your iCloud storage – Apple Support

How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch – Apple Support

Clear Other storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


“Offloading” Apps can be a helpful method of creating temporary space for a software update.

https://9to5mac.com/2020/01/21/how-to-offload-apps-in-ios-to-save-space-without-deleting-their-data/


Additional information about creating sufficient space for installation of a software update can be found here:

If you need more space for an update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support


External storage options can often help with managing limited internal storage. Depending upon your iPad model, the iPad will either have a Lightning or USB-C port - and may therefore require either an Adapter or USB hub to connect the USB Storage device. If your iPad has a Lightning port, you’ll need an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter:


  • Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter

https://store.apple.com/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A

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How to make room on iPad for latest software update.

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