How to free up iPhone storage used by photos and videos
Check Settings, General, iPhone Storage, then use Photos to delete photos and videos you no longer need. Phone Swipe Media fits when you want to review that media individually with filters and a delete queue before confirming.
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Compare the approaches
| Approach | Useful for | Limit or tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone Storage settings | See how much device storage is used before choosing what to remove. | A storage total does not decide which memories to keep. |
| Apple Photos | Select and delete known unwanted items without another app. | iCloud Photos deletions affect synced devices, and Recently Deleted retains items temporarily. |
| Phone Swipe Media | Filter long videos and inspect size and date before queuing items. | Space estimates are approximate; the free plan includes 100 media reviews in total, with no daily reset. |
Check the starting point
Open Settings, General, iPhone Storage and note the space used. Back up photos and videos you want to keep before deleting anything.
Review a manageable batch
In Photos, select unwanted items. In Phone Swipe Media, choose a month and use the video or long-video filter; play clips and inspect available size metadata before deciding. Swipe up to leave uncertain items for later.
Confirm, then check storage again
Inspect the delete queue and rescue mistakes before confirmation. Recently Deleted normally keeps deleted items for 30 days; permanent deletion removes that recovery option. With iCloud Photos, confirmed deletions also reach your other synced devices, and recovered space may be delayed.
Availability and languages
Phone Swipe Media is on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, requiring iOS or iPadOS 16.4 or later. These guide translations do not establish app interface languages or regional availability. Check your local App Store.
Product details or contactQuestions and answers
Why is my storage still full after deleting photos?
Recently Deleted can delay space recovery. Phone Swipe Media shows an estimate, not a promise of immediate free space.
Can I delete photos only from this iPhone when iCloud Photos is on?
A confirmed deletion also applies to other devices using that iCloud Photos library. Keep a separate backup of anything important before deleting.
Do I need to pay to remove photos?
Apple Photos already supports deletion. Phone Swipe Media includes 100 free media reviews in total; after that, optional Plus Monthly or Plus Lifetime is needed for new reviews.