If you’ve ever tried to back up your iPhone only to be greeted with the dreaded “Not Enough iCloud Storage” message, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common and most frustrating issues iPhone users run into, usually right when they need a backup the most.
The good news? It’s easy to fix, and in most cases, you don’t need to spend a dime on extra storage. With a few smart cleanups, you can free up space and get your iCloud working smoothly again. With a few smart cleanups, you can free up space and get your iCloud working smoothly again. For even better long-term performance, it’s worth learning how to optimize iCloud usage so you can make the most of your free 5GB storage without constant manual cleanups.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly why the error happens, how to fix it, and how to make sure it doesn’t come back.
What Does “Not Enough iCloud Storage” Mean?
iCloud is Apple’s cloud storage service it automatically backs up your iPhone data, including photos, videos, app data, messages, and device settings. Every Apple ID comes with 5GB of free storage.
When that “Not Enough iCloud Storage” alert appears, it simply means you’ve used up your available space. Your iPhone is trying to back up new data, but there’s no room left to store it.
Many people get confused here because their iPhone still shows plenty of available device storage. But iCloud storage and iPhone storage are completely separate. You could have a 128GB iPhone with half of it empty and still hit your 5GB iCloud limit.
Why This Error Appears
This message can pop up for a few different reasons:
- Your iCloud is full. That 5GB fills up faster than you’d think, especially if photos and app data are included in your backups.
- Old device backups. You might still have backups from previous iPhones or iPads sitting in your iCloud.
- Recently deleted photos. Items in the “Recently Deleted” album stay there for 30 days — and still count toward your storage limit.
- App data bloat. Apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, and certain games can quietly take up gigabytes of iCloud space.
- Syncing glitches. Sometimes, iCloud’s storage calculations get stuck or display incorrect numbers.How to Fix “Not Enough iCloud Storage” on iPhone
Follow these steps in order start from the top and work your way down until the problem disappears.
1. Check What’s Using Your iCloud Storage
Before deleting anything, find out what’s taking up space.
To check:
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap your name at the top.
- Select iCloud → Manage Storage.
You’ll see a detailed breakdown showing how your storage is being used photos, backups, messages, apps, and more. Identify the biggest storage hogs before deciding what to remove.
2. Delete Old iCloud Backups
If you’ve upgraded to a new iPhone or have unused devices, their backups might still be lingering in iCloud wasting valuable space.
To delete old backups:
- Go to Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Manage Storage → Backups.
- Tap any old device you no longer use.
- Select Delete Backup and confirm.
Removing an outdated backup can instantly free up several gigabytes. Don’t worry this won’t affect your current iPhone data. It only removes the backup of the old device.
3. Clear Large Files and App Data
Some apps save a surprising amount of information in iCloud especially chat apps that store photos, videos, and attachments.
To remove unnecessary app data:
- Go to Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Manage Storage.
- Scroll through the list of apps.
- Tap any that are taking up significant space.
- Choose Delete Data or Disable & Delete if you don’t need them backing up anymore.
For iMessage, you can also set messages to auto-delete after one year:
Settings → Messages → Keep Messages → 1 Year.
4. Optimize Photos and Videos
Photos and videos are usually the biggest space consumers. Apple’s Optimize iPhone Storage feature can help manage them efficiently.
To enable it:
- Go to Settings → Photos.
- Select Optimize iPhone Storage.
This keeps full-resolution versions in iCloud while storing lighter versions on your device saving local space.
⚠️ Note: This doesn’t reduce iCloud usage itself; it only helps manage your iPhone’s internal storage. To truly save iCloud space, you’ll need to delete unnecessary photos or transfer them elsewhere.
5. Empty the “Recently Deleted” Folder
When you delete photos or videos, they’re not gone immediately. They remain in the “Recently Deleted” folder for 30 days and still count toward your total.
To clear them permanently:
- Open the Photos app.
- Tap Albums → scroll to Recently Deleted.
- Tap Select → Delete All → Delete.
You’ll instantly reclaim the space those files were using.
6. Restart iCloud Sync or Re-sign Into iCloud
Sometimes iCloud’s storage calculations glitch. Signing out and back in can refresh the connection.
To do this:
- Go to Settings → [Your Name] → Sign Out.
- Enter your Apple ID password.
- Choose to keep a copy of your data on your device (recommended).
- Sign back in using your Apple ID.
Give it a few minutes to resync. You might notice that the storage numbers update or errors disappear entirely.
7. Upgrade to iCloud+ (Optional)
If you’ve cleaned everything and still need more space, upgrading to iCloud+ might be worth it.
Available plans:
- 50GB – $0.99/month: Ideal for light users.
- 200GB – $2.99/month: Great for families and heavy photo users.
- 2TB – $9.99/month: Best for those who store everything in the cloud.
Upgrade if:
- You regularly take high-quality photos and videos.
- You share iCloud with family members.
- You prefer automated backups without manual cleanup.
Skip upgrading if:
- You back up occasionally.
- You’re fine managing files manually or using other cloud options like Google Drive or Dropbox.
How to Keep the Error from Coming Back
Once your iCloud is clean, it’s easy to prevent future storage issues with a few simple habits:
- Check storage monthly. Open Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Manage Storage and review what’s taking up space.
- Turn off unnecessary app backups. Go to Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud and toggle off apps you don’t need in iCloud.
- Move large files elsewhere. Transfer old photos and videos to an external hard drive or another cloud platform.
- Keep iOS updated. Apple regularly improves iCloud performance in software updates. Always install the latest iOS version.
Final Thoughts
The “Not Enough iCloud Storage” alert may be annoying, but it’s rarely a serious problem. With a few quick cleanups — deleting old backups, trimming app data, and clearing the Recently Deleted folder you can reclaim your space in minutes.
Key takeaways:
- Your iCloud’s 5GB limit is separate from your iPhone’s storage.
- Old backups are often the main culprit.
- Routine monthly maintenance keeps things running smoothly.
- Paying for extra storage isn’t always necessary smart management works just as well.
Keep your iCloud organized, stay consistent with cleanups, and you’ll never have to see that dreaded message again. Your next iPhone backup will thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I still see the error after deleting files?
It can take a little time for iCloud to update. If you’ve already removed backups and cleared your Recently Deleted folder, try signing out and back into iCloud it forces a refresh.
Does deleting photos from my iPhone free up iCloud space?
Yes, if you have iCloud Photos enabled. Deleting a photo on your iPhone removes it from iCloud too. Just remember to also clear the Recently Deleted folder.
How can I check what’s filling my iCloud?
Go to Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Manage Storage. You’ll see a detailed breakdown by category.
Should I upgrade or just manage space manually?
If you’re constantly running out of space even after cleanups, the 50GB plan is inexpensive and convenient. But if you’re fine with some occasional manual cleanup, you can easily manage the free 5GB plan.
Will deleting old backups remove data from my current iPhone?
No. Deleting old backups only removes archived data from devices you no longer use your current phone’s data remains safe.