If you’re as tired of the incessant pop-up messaging on your iPhone as we are, don’t despair. In just a few simple steps, you can eliminate the far-too-frequent “Not Enough Storage” alert, without buying more iCloud storage or breaking your phone in frustration. Scroll down for all the deets, and don’t forget to follow every step so as not to lose photos, contacts, and other important data (read: your best selfies) in the process.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step #1: Delete Old iPhone Backups
Under the iCloud section, go to Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage, and tap Manage Storage. Delete any out-of-date devices listed.
Step #2: Backup Your iPhone Via iTunes
Plug your phone into your computer and back it up using iTunes.
Step #3: Select The Most Important Data to Backup
You probably don’t need most of your apps to be automatically restored as you can always re-download them, so you can eliminate them from backups. Go to Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage > tap Manage Storage under the iCloud section > select your device (“This iPhone”) > tap Show All Apps. Select, or de-select, the apps you don’t need backed up.
Step #4: Turn Off “Photo Library” Backup
In the same list, you’ll see an option to turn off backup for your photo library. Make sure you have completed Step #2 before you toggle this off.
Step #5: Store Your Photos for Free Instead
Go to Settings > iCloud > Photos, then turn off iCloud Photo Library and turn on My Photo Stream. This saves your photos without eating up iCloud space. Make sure to do this on all of your Apple devices.
Step #6: Back Up!
Now that you’ve freed up space, go to Settings > iCloud > Backup and tap ‘Back Up Now.’
