I am unable to update my iPhone iOS from 16 to 18 due to storage. Yet, I have updated my storage to 2 TB on both my iCloud and Apple ID and my Google photos. Everything has updated to 2TB. Why does it say that I don’t have enough storage?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: iOS software won’t update
Even if you could purchase 100 Million GB of iCloud Storage (you can't), it will NEVER add more space to your iPhone. As stedman1 correctly pointed out, you did not need to buy so much space in iCloud. I would recommend you downgrade the plan to the 200GB plan and save your money.
stedman1 is also correct that you need to delete things you don't need or use off your iPhone.
Read this to understand the difference between Device Storage and iCloud Storage --> What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? - Apple Support
Finally, if you are really that close to not having enough space to update your iPhone, you don't own an iPhone which can reliably meet your storage needs. Next time you buy an iPhone, buy one with much more storage. Once purchased, iPhone storage is fixed and can never be made larger.
Even if you could purchase 100 Million GB of iCloud Storage (you can't), it will NEVER add more space to your iPhone. As stedman1 correctly pointed out, you did not need to buy so much space in iCloud. I would recommend you downgrade the plan to the 200GB plan and save your money.
stedman1 is also correct that you need to delete things you don't need or use off your iPhone.
Read this to understand the difference between Device Storage and iCloud Storage --> What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? - Apple Support
Finally, if you are really that close to not having enough space to update your iPhone, you don't own an iPhone which can reliably meet your storage needs. Next time you buy an iPhone, buy one with much more storage. Once purchased, iPhone storage is fixed and can never be made larger.
Renting cloud storage does not change the space available on your device. Renting a 2 TB cloud storage plan is waste of money. You will need to delete or move existing content from your device. Also charge the battery, and do not repeatedly discharge to such low levels.
Try using a computer to upgrade iOS.
Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
What the article does not mention is that, for newer versions of Windows, iTunes has be replaced by a new app known as "Apple Devices."
Install the Apple Devices app on Windows - Apple Support (QA)
The advantage of using a computer is that the computer does the installer unstuffing, taking the load off the phone and requiring less free space.
Unable to update my iPhone iOS from 16 to 18 with sufficient storage on iCloud, Apple Account, and Google Photos
