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Low on iPhone storage space? Do this instead of deleting your apps
Running low on iPhone storage space? Already deleted all your cat videos and memes? Getting ready to start deleting apps that you don't often use?
More how-tos
Stop!
The problem with deleting apps is that you also delete any data associated with the app.
Goodbye, app. Goodbye, data.
If you're deleting an app that you never plan on using again, then deleting that app probably isn't going to be a problem
Also: How to delete apps on iPhone
But if there's a chance that you might go back to the app at some point in the future, deleting the app means that you'll be starting from scratch with no data.
There is an alternative, and it's called Offload Unused Apps. It comes with a few caveats though.
How to increase iPhone storage space without deleting your apps
1. Go to iPhone Storage
You can find this setting in Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
According to Apple, this will "automatically offload unused apps when you're low on storage," and "your documents & data will be saved."
You can find Offload Unused Apps in Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
2. Find Offload Unused Apps
Tap on this setting and you'll get confirmation that it's enabled.
Confirmation that Offload Unused Apps is enabled.
Also: How to clear cache on your iPhone (and why you should)
3. Wait for the setting to disappear
Once the setting disappears, it's enabled, and offloading unused apps will commence in the background automatically.
All mention of the setting vanishes.
4. To redownload an offloaded app, tap on its icon
Offloading is a fancy word for deleting the app. The icon for the app remains, and if you need the app at some point in the future, your iPhone will download it from the App Store and install it for you.
Since most apps take up a lot more space than any associated data does, this is a handy way to free up storage space.
Apps that you've not used for 12 days or more are fair game for offloading.
But there is a catch -- if the app is removed from the App Store, then you won't be able to redownload it.
This is definitely worth keeping in mind.
This app has been offloaded -- tap to redownload.
Also: Which iPhone is right for you and how do the different models compare
5. To disable automatic app offloading, go to Offload Unused Apps
If you want to disable automatic app offloading, head over to Settings > App Store and toggle Offload Unused Apps to off.
One drawback to this form of offloading is that it's automatic, and you don't have control over which apps get offloaded.
To disable automatic app offloading, head over to Settings > App Store and toggle Offload Unused Apps to off.
6. To manually offload, find the app you want to offload in iPhone Storage
There is a way to do this manually, and that's to go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find the app you want to offload, tap on it, and then tap Offload App.
Here's how you manually offload an app.