iCloud storage not updating after deleting videos on iPhone

Question

Level 1

4 points

iCloud storage not updating after deleting videos on iPhone

My phone is 128 GB. I bought another 200 GB. Now it shows that 174 of the 200 are occupied and 126 of the 128. I deleted 8 GB of videos but no space was freed up and iCloud doesn't allow me to use the 26 GB free space. So I can't use my phone because no matter what I delete, the space isn't freed up.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: busy icloud

iPhone 15 Plus, iOS 18

Posted on Sep 14, 2025 12:45 PM

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Answer 1

sberman

Level 10

271,552 points

Sep 14, 2025 03:59 PM in response to YevaEmin

You are using 126GB of your iPhone’s 128GB.
- That would make your iPhone unusable. At least 6GB must be free at all times.
- “So I can't use my phone because no matter what I delete, the space isn't freed up.” You must delete iPhone contents. Your iCloud storage quantities are irrelevant.
“I deleted 8 GB of videos but no space was freed up and iCloud doesn't allow me to use the 26 GB free space.”
- If the videos were deleted in iCloud, they likely still exist there in “Recently Deleted”.
- You likely can use the iCloud free space. You are confusing this with being able to use iPhone device space, which doesn’t exist.

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Answer 2

sberman

Level 10

271,552 points

Sep 14, 2025 12:48 PM in response to YevaEmin

Be certain you understand this distinction.

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

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Answer 3

YevaEmin Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 14, 2025 02:09 PM in response to sberman

Yes, my question is different. I delete a lot of videos but it doesn't free up space on my phone. I have 26GB free in iCloud, but it won't let me use it.

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