User profile for user: krammer48
krammer48 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Why is my iPhone still full after purchasing 2TB iCloud storage?

Hi,

I recently purchased the 2TB iCloud storage plan because my iPhone ran out of space. I enabled iCloud Photos, selected "Optimize iPhone Storage," and followed all the correct steps. However, my iPhone storage is still completely full. In fact, it has increased from 254GB to 255GB since purchasing the plan.

This is extremely frustrating — I specifically paid for additional storage so that I could continue using my phone, and yet I’m now stuck with a device I can’t even properly use. I can’t send messages, install updates, or even reach support from my phone because there’s no space left.

Photos and videos only take around 200GB, and everything should have been uploaded to iCloud by now. I need to understand why the space isn’t being freed up on my iPhone and what I can do immediately to fix this. Right now, it feels like I paid for a service that isn’t delivering what it promised.

Please help resolve this as soon as possible.

Thank you.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 15 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Apr 19, 2025 9:07 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: lobsterghost1
lobsterghost1
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
183,961 points

Posted on Apr 19, 2025 9:17 AM

I'm sorry if you believed that buying 2TB of iCloud Storage could possibly increase the storage on your iPhone. There is no way to add memory to an iPhone. All buying more space in the cloud will permit is to sync more data with iCloud. It in no way adds space to your phone. Sure, using Optimized Phone storage for your photos, will reduce the size to a degree of your photos you keep on your iPhone, but that alone, if you are that much out of space on your iPhone isn't going to solve your problem.


From reading your post, I think you believe iCloud is an archive backup? It's not. iCloud is a syncing service. And it's a real time syncing service, which means if you remove a photo from your phone, it is removed from iCloud in real time as well, etc.


Read this link about the difference between device storage and iCloud storage --> What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? - Apple Support


The only way to free up space is to remove things from your phone you don't need or use. 200GB of photos and videos is a LOT of storage. You would likely be better off offloading your photos to your computer for safe keeping. You can delete apps, files, music, videos, messages, email etc. Here is now to offload your photos to your computer --> Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac or PC - Apple Support


View in context

Similar questions

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: lobsterghost1
lobsterghost1
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
183,961 points

Apr 19, 2025 9:17 AM in response to krammer48

I'm sorry if you believed that buying 2TB of iCloud Storage could possibly increase the storage on your iPhone. There is no way to add memory to an iPhone. All buying more space in the cloud will permit is to sync more data with iCloud. It in no way adds space to your phone. Sure, using Optimized Phone storage for your photos, will reduce the size to a degree of your photos you keep on your iPhone, but that alone, if you are that much out of space on your iPhone isn't going to solve your problem.


From reading your post, I think you believe iCloud is an archive backup? It's not. iCloud is a syncing service. And it's a real time syncing service, which means if you remove a photo from your phone, it is removed from iCloud in real time as well, etc.


Read this link about the difference between device storage and iCloud storage --> What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? - Apple Support


The only way to free up space is to remove things from your phone you don't need or use. 200GB of photos and videos is a LOT of storage. You would likely be better off offloading your photos to your computer for safe keeping. You can delete apps, files, music, videos, messages, email etc. Here is now to offload your photos to your computer --> Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac or PC - Apple Support


Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Why is my iPhone still full after purchasing 2TB iCloud storage?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up