Quick Tutorials

Updating your iPhone’s iOS is usually pretty straightforward—until you run into the dreaded “Not Enough Free Space” error. If your phone’s storage is nearly full, you might think your only option is to start deleting apps, photos, or videos. But hold on! There’s a better way to update without losing anything.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through two ways to update iOS, including a trick that lets you install the update even when your phone is low on space. Let’s dive in!

Method 1: The Standard iPhone Update (Easy Way)

For most people, the easiest way to update iOS is directly from your iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

2. If an update is available, you’ll see one of two options:

• A smaller incremental update (e.g., iOS 17.x).

• A major upgrade (e.g., iOS 18).

3. Tap Download and Install, and let your phone do its thing.

Your iPhone is pretty smart when it comes to making room for updates. If you’re running low on storage, it will automatically offload some apps and files temporarily to free up space. Once the update is complete, it restores everything.

But sometimes… that’s still not enough space—and that’s where Method 2 comes in.

Method 2: Updating iOS with a Computer (No Storage Needed!)

If you keep running into space issues (or just want a smoother update process), using a Mac or PC is the way to go. Here’s how:

On a Mac (macOS Catalina or later)

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a Lightning or USB-C cable.

2. Open Finder and click on your iPhone in the sidebar.

3. Click Check for Update, then Download and Update.

👉 Pro Tip: If you see a message about “purchased items not transferred,” you can skip it. It won’t affect the update.

How to Update iOS on Windows (Without Free Storage on iPhone)

1. Download the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store if you haven’t already.

2. Connect your iPhone to your PC using a Lightning or USB-C cable.

3. Open Apple Devices and click on your iPhone.

4. Click Check for Update, then Download and Install.

Since the update files are downloaded and stored on your PC instead of your iPhone, you won’t run into storage issues.

Why This Method Works Even If You’re Out of Storage

When you update your iPhone through a computer, all the update files are downloaded and stored on your computer instead of your phone. That means your iPhone doesn’t need extra space to install the update—it just applies it directly.

Plus, you’ll also get the option to back up your iPhone before updating, which is always a good idea before a big software upgrade.

Bonus Tip: Watch Out for Hidden Software Updates

Sometimes, your Mac or PC needs a small software update before it can install iOS updates. If you’re having trouble, check for any system update prompts—they might be hiding behind other windows!

Final Thoughts

Updating iOS doesn’t have to be a headache, even if your storage is maxed out. If you have enough space, the Settings app method works great. But if you’re running low on storage, updating via a computer is the best workaround to avoid deleting anything.

Did this help? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more iPhone tips and tricks! 🚀