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Running out of storage space on your iPhone is common, but fortunately there are several ways to address the issue. While it’s not possible to physically upgrade the storage on an iPhone, there are various external storage devices and cloud-based services you can use. Here are some tips and tricks to increase the storage on your iPhone and free up some space.
Plug-in Storage Devices
Although iPhones don’t come with an SD card slot, there are a number of plug-in storage devices that are compatible with the proprietary Lightning Data port. These devices are available from various brands, including SanDisk and Leef. However, using a plug-in storage device means carrying around an additional accessory, which may not be ideal for everyone.
Wireless Hard Drives
If you have files you want to access on your iPhone but don’t have enough space, a wireless hard drive is a more elegant solution. A wireless hard drive is portable, and when connected to Wi-Fi, is accessible from your iPhone. Some recommended wireless hard drives include the LaCie Fuel Wireless and SanDisk Connect Wireless USB 2.0 Flash Drive, both of which offer a considerable amount of storage space.
NAS Drives
A NAS (Network-Attached Storage) drive is a physical device that enables users to expand their storage space. Apple’s AirPort Time Capsule is an option for expanding storage, but file management features between it and iOS devices can be tricky. A recommended alternative is the WD My Cloud, which provides up to 16 TB of storage space and easy file sharing features.
Cloud-Based Services
Cloud-based services are an excellent option for outsourcing files to other people’s servers while still maintaining access when needed. Apple’s iTunes Match allows users to store all their music in the cloud, freeing up space on their iPhone. Also, apps like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft’s OneDrive are cloud-based services that give you free online storage options.
Tips to Free Up Space on Your iPhone
If you’re not interested in buying external storage devices or using cloud-based services, there are some tips and tricks you can follow to free up space on your iPhone:
- Delete unused apps
- Delete old messages
- Clear browser caches and cookies
- Delete non-HDR photos
- Set your camera to automatically save photos at a lower resolution
FAQs
1. Can I upgrade the storage on my iPhone?
No, it’s not possible to physically upgrade the storage on an iPhone. You’re stuck with the storage allocation provided at the time of purchase.
2. How do I check my iPhone’s storage?
To check your iPhone’s storage, go to Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage > Manage Storage.