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Likely fix

Fix: Phone cannot update because storage is full

Phones need free space to download, unpack, and install updates. Even a small update may need several gigabytes temporarily.

Quick answer

Free more space than the update size, delete large videos and downloads, remove unused apps, then restart and try the update again.

Important warning

An update may need more temporary space than the download size shown.

Try this

  1. 1 Check how much free storage the phone has.
  2. 2 Delete or move large videos first.
  3. 3 Remove offline movies, music, podcasts, and maps.
  4. 4 Delete unused apps or offload them on iPhone.
  5. 5 Empty Recently Deleted or Trash.
  6. 6 Restart the phone.
  7. 7 Try the update again.
  8. 8 If still short on space, update using a computer if your phone supports it.

Common causes

Not enough temporary space.

Large videos.

Apps and games.

Recently Deleted still full.

Offline downloads.

System Data too large.

What to check next

  • Check free storage.
  • Check update size.
  • Check Recently Deleted or Trash.
  • Check offline downloads.
  • Check whether computer update is available.

FAQ

Why does my phone need more space than the update size?

The phone needs temporary space to download, unpack, verify, and install the update.

What should I delete first before updating?

Delete large videos, offline downloads, unused apps, and empty Recently Deleted or Trash.

Can I update my phone using a computer?

Some phones can be updated through a computer, which may help when phone storage is very tight.

Related fixes

Fix: Photos and videos take too much phone storage

Photos and videos often take the most phone storage, especially 4K videos, screen recordings, duplicate shots, downloaded images, and chat media.

Fix: Apps taking too much phone storage

Apps can use lots of storage through app data, cache, offline downloads, saved videos, games, maps, podcasts, and documents.

Fix: System Data or Other storage is huge

System Data or Other storage can grow because of caches, logs, temporary files, failed updates, streaming app data, browser data, and message attachments.

Fix: iPhone storage is full

iPhone storage usually fills up because of photos, videos, apps, messages, offline downloads, and System Data.

Fix: Android storage is full

Android storage usually fills up because of photos, videos, apps, downloads, cached data, WhatsApp media, offline music, and system files.

Fix: WhatsApp or messages taking too much storage

Messaging apps can fill storage with photos, videos, voice notes, stickers, backups, and large group chat media.