How do I free up storage space used by Photos on an iPhone 11?
Answer
Turn on iCloud Photos to keep smaller device copies, then use iPhone Storage recommendations to review large videos and duplicates. Delete only after confirming the items you care about are in iCloud or another backup.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Deleting items and emptying Recently Deleted permanently removes them if they are not backed up elsewhere.
- Third-party cleaner apps can delete media without a clear undo path.
Follow these steps
Enable iCloud Photos
Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos and turn on iCloud Photos. Choose Optimize iPhone Storage if offered.
You should see: Photos begin uploading and the phone can keep smaller local previews.
Review iPhone Storage suggestions
Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Photos and follow recommendations such as Review Large Videos or similar options if listed.
You should see: You see the biggest video files and recovery suggestions.
Delete large videos you do not need
Remove oversized videos or duplicates you do not want, then empty Recently Deleted in the Photos app.
You should see: Storage used by Photos drops after Recently Deleted is cleared.
Recheck free space after sync finishes
Stay on Wi‑Fi until iCloud Photos finishes syncing, restart the iPhone once, and recheck Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
You should see: Available storage increases and Photos usage shrinks.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Settings > General > iPhone Storage showing Photos as a top usage category, and whether iCloud Photos is on.
Before you change anything: Confirm you can sign in to iCloud and have enough iCloud storage, or another backup. Do not delete albums until you know originals are backed up. Stay on Wi‑Fi for the first iCloud Photos upload. Avoid third-party cleaner apps that ask for full photo access unnecessarily.