I’ve bought extra storage but iPad is saying full, I understand that means my internal storage is full but why isn’t it using my bough storage?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPad mini 4, iPadOS 15
It is generally recommended that you maintain 4-6GB of free space at all times - as your iPad needs some temporary space to complete some tasks - such as performing system software updates.
If your internal storage is full, or is insufficient for the task that you need to perform, your only option is to better manage the storage that you have - and delete unused Apps or unneeded data.
Cloud (including iCloud) storage is often useful, but is not a substitute for internal device storage. While iCloud can be used to storage data and files independently of your iPad, iCloud is principally used to keep additional copies of data stored on your iPad and other Apple devices - and will synchronise this data between devices. Data and files synchronised with iCloud can also be accessed from any computer via iCloud using a web browser.
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:
Deletion of photos from the iPad's Photo Library will be replicated to iCloud - and any other devices that are also synchronised with iCloud.
You can, however, manually copy/move photos from your iPad to a file folder in iCloud - this being independent of your Photo Library.
You cannot purchase additional device storage for an iPad. Whatever it had at the factory is what it had for life.
Synchronized data generally takes up space both in iCloud and on each of the devices to which it is synchronized. So, with the notable exception of using iCloud Photos and “Optimize iPad Storage”, using iCloud storage is NOT any sort of substitute for having enough device storage.
Re: “I do have iCloud photos, does that mean I can delete all the photos on my iPad and they will still be in the cloud?”
No!!! That will delete all of your photos everywhere - on your iPad and in iCloud.
Because of not everything can be stored in the cloud and you need to move your photos and files to the cloud first
Is iCloud Photos on in your settings? That might be a good first step
Thanks for the reply.
I do have iCloud photos, does that mean I can delete all the photos on my iPad and they will still be in the cloud?
iPad using purchased storage when internal storage is full
