Running out of space on your iPhone can be a hassle—whether you’re trying to take a photo, install an app, or update your iOS.
While you can’t add physical storage to your iPhone, you can easily get more space using cloud services like iCloud+.
This guide will walk you through buying more storage for your iPhone, share other options to free up space, and provide tips to manage what you already have, all in easy-to-follow steps.
What to Know About iPhone Storage
Your iPhone has a fixed amount of internal storage (like 64GB, 256GB, or 1TB) that can’t be upgraded after you buy it.
However, you can use cloud storage to store files online, which frees up space on your device while keeping everything accessible.
Every iPhone comes with 5GB of free iCloud storage, but this fills up fast with photos, videos, and app data.
To get more, you can upgrade to iCloud+, which offers plans from 50GB to 12TB and includes extra features like iCloud Private Relay and Hide My Email.
Easy Steps to Buy More iCloud Storage on Your iPhone
Here’s how you can purchase additional iCloud storage directly from your iPhone:
- Open Settings on Your iPhone
Launch the Settings app from your home screen. It’s the gear icon—easy to spot! - Access Your Apple ID
Tap your name at the top of the Settings menu. This takes you to your Apple ID settings, where you manage your account and subscriptions. - Navigate to iCloud Settings
Tap iCloud, then select Manage Account Storage (or Manage Plan on iOS 18 and later). If you’re using iOS 17 or earlier, you might see Change Storage Plan instead. - Choose to Upgrade
If you haven’t upgraded before, tap Buy More Storage. If you already have an iCloud+ plan and want more space, tap Change Storage Plan. - Select Your Plan
Apple offers several iCloud+ plans to suit different needs:- 50GB for $0.99/month
- 200GB for $2.99/month
- 2TB for $9.99/month
- 6TB for $29.99/month
- 12TB for $59.99/month
- Confirm Your Purchase
Tap Buy, then enter your Apple ID password to authenticate the purchase. You may need to double-press the side button to confirm payment if you’re using Apple Pay. Once confirmed, your new storage plan activates immediately, and you’ll be billed monthly.
For more details on iCloud+ plans and pricing, check Apple’s official support page: iCloud+ Plans and Pricing.
Other Ways to Get More iPhone Storage
If you don’t want to pay for iCloud+, here are some alternatives to increase or manage your iPhone storage:
Optimize Photos and Videos
Go to Settings > Photos and turn on Optimize iPhone Storage. This keeps smaller versions of your photos and videos on your iPhone while storing the full versions in iCloud, saving space. You’ll need iCloud Photos turned on for this.
Use External Storage Devices
You can use Lightning or USB-C flash drives to transfer files off your iPhone. Look for iOS-compatible drives like the SanDisk iXpand or Kingston DataTraveler Bolt Duo. Make sure the drive supports file systems like HFS+, FAT32, APFS, or exFAT.
Try Other Cloud Services
Instead of iCloud, use services like Google Drive or Dropbox. Google Drive gives you 15GB free (shared with Gmail and Google Photos), with paid plans starting at 100GB for $1.99/month. To upgrade, download the Google One app, sign in, and tap Upgrade. Learn more here: Buy More Google Storage.
Offload Unused Apps
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, pick an app, and tap Offload App. This removes the app but keeps its data, so you can reinstall it later without losing anything.
Upgrade to a New iPhone
If you always need more space, consider a new iPhone with higher storage. The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers up to 1TB—great for heavy users. Apple’s trade-in program can help with the cost. Check it out here: Apple Trade-In.
Why Pick iCloud+ for Your iPhone?
iCloud+ gives you more than just storage. It comes with features like:
- iCloud Private Relay: Keeps your browsing private by hiding your IP address.
- Hide My Email: Creates temporary email addresses to protect your real one.
- HomeKit Secure Video: Stores footage from compatible home security cameras securely.
It also works seamlessly with your iPhone, backing up your data and syncing it across your Apple devices. If you use multiple Apple products, iCloud+ is the easiest choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Add Physical Storage to My iPhone?
No, iPhones don’t support SD cards or other expandable storage. You can manage your space, use cloud storage, or upgrade to a new iPhone with more capacity.
What Happens If I Downgrade My iCloud+ Plan?
If your new plan has less storage than your current data, you might lose files. Back up important data elsewhere before downgrading.
Are There Free Ways to Get More iCloud Storage?
Apple sometimes offers temporary iCloud storage when you buy a new iPhone or iPad to help with data transfer. Otherwise, you get 5GB free, but more storage requires a paid plan.
Final Thoughts
Buying more storage for your iPhone is quick and easy with iCloud+, offering plans for every need, from 50GB to 12TB. If you’d rather not pay, you can optimize your storage or use external devices to free up space. By using these tips and tricks, you’ll keep your iPhone ready for all your photos, apps, and updates without ever running out of room.
