July 30, 2026 • 11 mins
🎧 Show Notes
Tiny Task: Free Up Space in Your Photos Library
Part of the "Why Is My iPhone Full?" Tiny Task Series
Think deleting photos is the only way to free up space on your iPhone?
Think again.
In this Tiny Task, we're exploring a few simple tweaks inside your Photos app that can help reduce storage, tidy your photo library, and better explain why your iPhone may be running out of space.
These aren't big organizing projects—they're quick wins designed to keep your momentum going.
Missed the Last Tiny Task?Last week we tackled one of iPhone's hidden storage culprits: text message conversations.
If you haven't listened yet, start there to free up another surprising source of storage.
In This EpisodeYou'll learn:
☁️ What Optimize iPhone Storage actually does—and why your photos aren't disappearing when you turn it on.
📱 How to check whether your Photos Library is already optimized.
☁️ How to check your iCloud storage and decide if your current plan is the right fit.
💻 An alternative workflow if you prefer keeping your photos on your computer instead of iCloud.
🎥 Why videos are often the biggest storage culprit—and how to quickly filter your library to review them.
📂 How Apple's automatically created Collections (Duplicates, Screenshots, Receipts, Documents, Selfies, and more) can become easy places to tidy up.
🗑️ Why you should remember to empty your Recently Deleted album if you want storage back immediately.
Today's Tiny TasksChoose one that feels right for you:
✅ Turn on (or check) Optimize iPhone Storage
✅ Review your iCloud storage settings
✅ Filter your Photos Library to view only videos
✅ Visit your Collections to tidy screenshots, receipts, documents, duplicates, or other media types
✅ Empty your Recently Deleted album
Remember—you don't have to do them all today.
One tiny task is enough.
Coming Up NextWe're continuing our Why Is My iPhone Full? series with more bite-sized storage tips that help you free up space, understand your iPhone, and keep your digital life a little lighter.
Free the phone.
Free the digital clutter.
Free the mental clutter.
One tiny task at a time.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
.6666666667think the only way to free up space on your iPhone is to start deleting hundreds of photos? Not even close. 2 00:00:05,616.6666666667 --> 00:00:12,293.333333333 There are a few simple settings and hidden corners inside your Photos app that can free up storage without touching the memories you actually wanna keep. 3 00:00:12,463.333333333 --> 00:00:19,623.334333333 Today, we're exploring some of our favorite tiny tweaks and tiny tidy ups that can make a surprisingly big difference. 4 00:00:20,57.663131519 --> 00:00:21,257.663131519 Welcome back to Sorted Out. 5 00:00:21,347.664131519 --> 00:00:26,987.663131519 We are Christi and Amanda, childhood best friends turned professional photo organizers, and we are so glad that you're here. 6 00:00:27,447.663131519 --> 00:00:30,477.664131519 This podcast is all about photo organizing made simple. 7 00:00:30,577.664131519 --> 00:00:36,437.661131519 No guilt, no overwhelm, mixed with real-life mom moments and everyday lessons we're learning right alongside you. 8 00:00:36,630.996464853 --> 00:00:43,50.994464853 We're moms, we're busy, and life is messy, and around here, we're focused on progress, not perfection. 9 00:00:43,464.55883668 --> 00:00:47,794.56183668 Today, we're continuing on why is my iPhone full tiny task series. 10 00:00:48,154.56083668 --> 00:00:53,394.55783668 Last week, we tackled one of those hidden storage keepers living inside your text message conversations. 11 00:00:53,554.56083668 --> 00:00:55,944.56083668 This week, we're moving into the Photos app itself. 12 00:00:56,4.55783668 --> 00:01:05,455.646508131 Reminder, the Photos app is represented by a colorful little flower-shaped icon that you typically find on your home screen of your iPhone, And this is where your photos library lives. 13 00:01:05,805.647508131 --> 00:01:08,835.651508131 That's what we are referring to when we say Photos app. 14 00:01:09,4.016587496 --> 00:01:14,299.190655523 Now, there are hundreds of things you can do to organize and tidy your photos library, but that's not what this series is about. 15 00:01:14,659.190655523 --> 00:01:19,419.186655523 Around here, we believe momentum beats marathon organizing sessions every time. 16 00:01:19,495.85932219 --> 00:01:27,35.86132219 So today, we're sharing a handful of quick tweaks and tiny tasks that can help free up storage while also helping you better understand how your photos library works. 17 00:01:27,195.85432219 --> 00:01:29,95.85632219 Some of these tasks take less than a minute. 18 00:01:29,212.527988856 --> 00:01:32,402.522988856 Others might become little habits you revisit every few months. 19 00:01:32,599.191655523 --> 00:01:37,419.194655523 Either way, they're all designed to help you make progress, one tiny step at a time. 20 00:01:37,629.195655523 --> 00:01:42,627.41812457 So let's jump in And like I said, last week we talked about tidying up those text message combos. 21 00:01:42,677.41712457 --> 00:01:46,607.41912457 And if you missed that episode, check out the show notes for a link to that episode. 22 00:01:46,828.3605562 --> 00:01:58,758.3605562 Today we'll focus on some areas you can tidy and tweak within your photos library that can not only help you understand why your iPhone may be full, but also some quick tasks that can help you free up that storage. 23 00:01:59,16.43508491 --> 00:02:05,142.80164382 The most immediate task you can do if you don't have this done already is the tiny task of optimizing your photos library. 24 00:02:05,282.80164382 --> 00:02:09,682.80564382 This is a task you can do if you're okay with your photos being stored in the cloud. 25 00:02:09,779.46931048 --> 00:02:18,206.13597715 And I can hear some of you out there, "Okay, Christie, what does optimize storage mean?" Optimize iPhone storage is a setting that helps free up space on your phone. 26 00:02:18,382.80264382 --> 00:02:28,982.80164382 When it's turned on, your full resolution original photos and videos are safely stored in while your iPhone keeps a smaller version that takes up much less space. 27 00:02:29,102.79964382 --> 00:02:39,462.80164382 Whenever you want to view, edit, or share a photo or video, your iPhone automatically grabs the full quality version for you from the cloud as long as you're connected to the internet. 28 00:02:39,569.46931048 --> 00:02:58,917.13942145 And I know we talked about this before because I was thinking, "Hmm, why didn't I have my iPhone photos on optimize?" But yeah, until about two months ago we had awful internet, so it totally makes sense, and my iPhone had a lot of storage space, so that helps as well The important thing to remember is this, your photos and videos haven't disappeared. 29 00:02:59,11.07522206 --> 00:03:00,541.07522206 They're still part of your photos library. 30 00:03:00,761.07522206 --> 00:03:07,728.63066012 You've simply chosen to store the larger original file in the cloud instead of taking up valuable space on your phone. 31 00:03:07,903.12225831 --> 00:03:12,537.31757553 And how do you do this, you ask? Like a lot of things we suggest, it all starts in your Settings app. 32 00:03:12,697.31757553 --> 00:03:18,97.31757553 That little gray gears icon that's also found on your iPhone's homepage, that's the Settings app. 33 00:03:18,218.39824018 --> 00:03:24,621.26310603 If this is something that you're interested in doing then you can turn on optimize storage in settings to save storage space on your phone. 34 00:03:24,772.05317058 --> 00:03:27,712.05417058 But you'll likely need to subscribe to iCloud if you haven't already. 35 00:03:28,92.05417058 --> 00:03:45,342.68582364 Again, to save some storage or free up some storage on your iPhone, turning on optimize iPhone storage will Keep smaller versions of photos on your iPhone, keeps the original full resolution versions in iCloud, and automatically downloads the originals When you open, edit, share, or export the photo. 36 00:03:45,462.68482364 --> 00:03:47,972.68482364 This is one of those features we love about Apple. 37 00:03:48,76.01915697 --> 00:03:52,596.01915697 You'll want to do two things to enable this feature or to check to see if you already have it set up. 38 00:03:52,666.01915697 --> 00:03:57,229.35449031 You're going to go into Settings, click iCloud, click Saved to iCloud, blah. 39 00:03:57,359.35349031 --> 00:04:13,339.35549031 click iCloud Photos, and you want to make sure the check mark is beside Optimize iPhone Storage and because the original resolution of your photo or video will be stored in iCloud, it's very important that you have subscribed to iCloud for the right amount of iCloud storage to house your photos library. 40 00:04:13,576.02215697 --> 00:04:25,52.68782364 To check your iCloud storage, go to Settings again, click on your name at the very top, then click on iCloud, and there you can peruse around and see what's in your iCloud, and you can see what storage amount you have. 41 00:04:25,176.02215697 --> 00:04:32,636.02215697 You can also go one step further and click on Storage to see in more detail exactly what's been stored in your iCloud account. 42 00:04:32,886.02315697 --> 00:04:34,826.02315697 It's kind of neat just to sit there, take a look. 43 00:04:34,969.35249031 --> 00:04:57,49.45024142 I love doing this every once in a while 'cause it's so interesting to me to see what I've been saving and if it's something I actually need to change The path to getting to your iCloud storage is very easy, like I just explained, but an even easier way if you get lost during that path is to head into your Settings app again, look to the bottom of your screen, and type iCloud storage in the little search bar, and it will take you to the exact same place. 44 00:04:57,149.45024142 --> 00:04:57,449.45024142 Boom. 45 00:04:57,609.91478622 --> 00:04:58,289.91578622 Very easy. 46 00:04:58,486.58145288 --> 00:05:02,56.58145288 We do recommend checking in this area from time to time to make sure all is well. 47 00:05:02,256.58145288 --> 00:05:07,226.58145288 And if you're comfortable with your photo life being in the cloud, it's fairly inexpensive to keep it there as well. 48 00:05:07,328.35392106 --> 00:05:11,928.35492106 Often the two hundred gigabyte plan is plenty for people and it's under five dollars a month. 49 00:05:12,92.61469203 --> 00:05:19,482.61369203 If you realize you need more storage as your collection grows, it's easy to change your storage plan in this area of settings as well whenever you need to. 50 00:05:19,759.41841312 --> 00:05:29,556.08607979 Alternatively, if you're not a fan of the cloud, which is completely fine, you can opt for a regular photo dump to your computer and be okay with not having your entire photo collection on your phone. 51 00:05:30,4.25620475 --> 00:05:40,657.58853808 This just means that if you really want to see that one photo of that amazing sunset and you've already dumped it off your phone, you may have to look somewhere else for it if your collection is greater in size than what your phone can hold. 52 00:05:40,924.25620475 --> 00:05:51,4.25620475 A regular photo dump is when you plug your phone into your computer, copy your photos to your photo hub folder, and then delete some of all those photos and videos from your iPhone to free up space. 53 00:05:51,290.92287142 --> 00:06:01,27.52377845 hub? And what is a photo hub you ask? It's one designated location that holds your photo, collection Usually, like I mentioned, a folder on your computer or it could even be a folder on an external hard drive. 54 00:06:01,167.52577845 --> 00:06:07,567.52277845 Just make sure you name your photo hub folder very clearly so you know exactly what it is when you're looking for it later. 55 00:06:07,917.52577845 --> 00:06:11,797.52577845 And hey, you could even write the name of your folder in your photo organizing notebook. 56 00:06:11,880.36551314 --> 00:06:24,758.36751314 Thank you past self for helping future self because we all know our brains are super full Another option to help ease why your iPhone may be full is not necessarily one tiny task, but is a series of small steps to achieve your goal. 57 00:06:24,988.36751314 --> 00:06:29,478.36751314 So let's call this our tiny task detour or tiny task squared. 58 00:06:29,721.70084647 --> 00:06:33,261.70184647 Number one, you can simply buy a new phone with lots of storage. 59 00:06:33,335.03367981 --> 00:06:37,985.03367981 If storage is an issue, of course, and you're on an older phone, now might be the time to upgrade. 60 00:06:38,210.83952243 --> 00:06:44,430.84052243 iPhones two thousand and thirteen to two thousand and sixteen have a minimum storage capacity of a hundred and twenty-eight gigs. 61 00:06:44,780.83952243 --> 00:06:45,570.84052243 That's really good. 62 00:06:45,789.75294944 --> 00:06:48,859.75294944 That means the lowest storage you can get is a hundred and twenty-eight gigs. 63 00:06:49,43.08628278 --> 00:06:56,103.08528278 But now with the iPhone seventeens, the minimum storage capacity is two hundred and fifty-six gigabytes, which is incredible. 64 00:06:56,463.08428278 --> 00:07:15,814.41761611 That's more than enough room for many people's photo collections to live on their phone without having to optimize or use the cloud if you don't want to Number two, videos are one of the largest storage suckers, as they often take up the most storage per file, and it's not uncommon to find unintentional videos taken sitting in your photos library. 65 00:07:15,931.08328278 --> 00:07:20,751.08328278 So it's worth a filtered search to see if there's any unwanted video culprits that you can delete right away. 66 00:07:21,241.08328278 --> 00:07:29,477.75094944 For this tiny task detour, what you'll do is go to your Photos app, look at the top right of your screen to find the three little lines in that circle icon. 67 00:07:29,767.74994944 --> 00:07:34,564.41361611 Reminder, this is where you're gonna find that icon if you're on the latest iOS, AKA update. 68 00:07:34,764.41561611 --> 00:07:39,24.41261611 This feature may be available in a slightly different place if you're on a different version. 69 00:07:39,114.41461611 --> 00:07:43,544.41161611 But you're gonna find that icon, you're gonna tap then on Filter, and then tap on Videos. 70 00:07:43,714.41161611 --> 00:07:52,244.41061611 Now your view is filtered to only see videos, which makes it much easier to see all your videos at a glance and make deleting decisions quickly. 71 00:07:52,654.41261611 --> 00:07:56,714.41161611 It can be very tempting to linger in this view and revisit memories for a long time. 72 00:07:57,14.41361611 --> 00:08:03,57.74294944 But if you only have a few minutes to do this little tiny task detour, be very intentional to stay on task. 73 00:08:03,84.41461611 --> 00:08:17,452.14277484 But on the flip side of that, if you have some time to actually sit and enjoy some memories, this is a great way to do it Number three, one more tiny task detour within the Photos app you can do that Amanda and I love doing is tidying up the themed groups that Apple automatically populates. 74 00:08:17,705.47510817 --> 00:08:23,175.47510817 In your Photos app, you can click on the collections button in the bottom left of your screen. 75 00:08:23,248.80744151 --> 00:08:31,330.48109978 And as a reminder, when you click into your Photos app, you're usually in the library view where you can scroll and scroll and scroll and see your photos and videos. 76 00:08:31,527.14576645 --> 00:08:41,277.14676645 Tapping on the collections view, like I just mentioned, at the bottom left of your screen, you can change the views to collections, and then you can toggle back and forth between these two views. 77 00:08:41,457.14576645 --> 00:08:41,997.14576645 Very cool. 78 00:08:42,120.48109978 --> 00:08:50,660.48109978 In the collections view, usually the utilities and media types groupings are way down at the bottom of your collections area unless you've customized it differently. 79 00:08:50,893.81543311 --> 00:09:02,80.47709978 In the utilities and media types area, you're gonna see photos grouped in themes like duplicates,, receipts, handwriting, documents, selfies, time-lapse, screenshots, et cetera. 80 00:09:02,400.48009978 --> 00:09:04,260.48109978 It's a very fun place to go in. 81 00:09:04,447.14876645 --> 00:09:08,47.14676645 The amount of duplicates you're gonna see in there might be mind-boggling. 82 00:09:08,263.81643311 --> 00:09:09,63.81243311 It was for me though. 83 00:09:09,243.81243311 --> 00:09:14,210.48209978 And actually super, super easy to go in there and delete a bunch of duplicates because they're already grouped for you. 84 00:09:14,380.48309978 --> 00:09:14,980.48209978 Thank you, Apple. 85 00:09:15,462.74305067 --> 00:09:18,42.74405067 Go into this area and see if there are any items you can delete. 86 00:09:18,162.74005067 --> 00:09:20,632.74205067 And again, videos will always take up the most storage. 87 00:09:20,772.74005067 --> 00:09:28,372.73705067 But if you end up deleting mass groups of unnecessary informational photos you don't need anymore, that can be a great space-saving help as well. 88 00:09:28,579.40571733 --> 00:09:40,319.40371733 Number four, once you've done some deleting, you won't see freed up storage immediately because reminder, as a safeguard, Apple will store deleted items in a recently deleted folder for thirty days. 89 00:09:40,442.73805067 --> 00:09:50,882.73105067 So that being said, if you need more storage immediately, be sure to also head to your recently deleted folder in your Photos app to delete from there. 90 00:09:50,979.04163797 --> 00:09:55,919.04063797 You can find that recently deleted folder in your collections tab or view as well. 91 00:09:56,154.27356304 --> 00:10:03,124.27256304 Once you go to your recently deleted folder, you're likely gonna need your face ID or to enter your password so that you can get into this album. 92 00:10:03,544.27356304 --> 00:10:13,235.14325173 You can then delete all or select which photos or videos you want to immediately delete So There is a lot of information there, but very, very helpful information. 93 00:10:13,348.79177781 --> 00:10:20,378.79177781 These are all just some tweaks or tiny task detours you can make to help free up storage on your phone and help you save space faster. 94 00:10:20,407.86534017 --> 00:10:22,867.00566216 We suggest Getting familiar with these locations. 95 00:10:23,117.00566216 --> 00:10:27,47.00566216 They can help explain why your iPhone is so full and of course help you change that. 96 00:10:27,284.98293544 --> 00:10:32,924.98293544 But before we wrap up, let's do a quick recap of today's Tiny Tasks and Tiny Task Detours. 97 00:10:33,242.14620075 --> 00:10:44,878.81386741 Turn on Optimize iPhone Storage if you're wanting to save space and store your high-resolution photos or videos in the cloud and your lower resolution versions of that photo or video on your iPhone. 98 00:10:45,414.62479471 --> 00:10:49,174.62379471 Check your iCloud storage to make sure you have enough space for your photos library. 99 00:10:49,321.28946138 --> 00:10:54,51.29246138 If the cloud isn't for you, create a regular habit of moving photos to your photo hub. 100 00:10:54,144.62279471 --> 00:10:59,904.62179471 And our Tiny Task Detours were: Filter your library to videos and remove any you no longer need. 101 00:11:00,159.14714003 --> 00:11:06,699.14814003 Browse through Apple's utilities and media types to quickly delete things like screenshots, duplicates, receipts, and other clutter. 102 00:11:06,923.46406455 --> 00:11:14,874.80039788 And if you need more storage back right away after doing deleting, don't forget to empty your recently deleted album Today's episode wasn't about deleting your memories. 103 00:11:14,944.80039788 --> 00:11:17,374.80039788 It's about being intentional with your storage. 104 00:11:17,564.80039788 --> 00:11:25,528.21836387 Sometimes the biggest wins come from making one small setting change Finding a few forgotten videos or spending five minutes clearing out photos you no longer need. 105 00:11:25,728.21836387 --> 00:11:28,498.21836387 Little by little, those tiny tasks start to add up. 106 00:11:28,898.21836387 --> 00:11:35,459.69749295 Free the phone, free the digital clutter, and free the mental clutter, and keep creating space for memories that really matter. 107 00:11:36,99.69749295 --> 00:11:42,199.69649295 And if you found today's tiny task helpful, we'd love it if you followed or subscribed to Sort It Out so you don't miss the next one. 108 00:11:42,563.12974496 --> 00:11:47,833.12874496 Next week, we'll tackle another hidden storage culprit that's quietly taking up space on your iPhone. 109 00:11:48,383.12874496 --> 00:11:53,473.13174496 Until then, take what fits, leave what doesn't, and we'll see you next time on Sort It Out.
.6666666667think the only way to free up space on your iPhone is to start deleting hundreds of photos? Not even close. 2 00:00:05,616.6666666667 --> 00:00:12,293.333333333 There are a few simple settings and hidden corners inside your Photos app that can free up storage without touching the memories you actually wanna keep. 3 00:00:12,463.333333333 --> 00:00:19,623.334333333 Today, we're exploring some of our favorite tiny tweaks and tiny tidy ups that can make a surprisingly big difference. 4 00:00:20,57.663131519 --> 00:00:21,257.663131519 Welcome back to Sorted Out. 5 00:00:21,347.664131519 --> 00:00:26,987.663131519 We are Christi and Amanda, childhood best friends turned professional photo organizers, and we are so glad that you're here. 6 00:00:27,447.663131519 --> 00:00:30,477.664131519 This podcast is all about photo organizing made simple. 7 00:00:30,577.664131519 --> 00:00:36,437.661131519 No guilt, no overwhelm, mixed with real-life mom moments and everyday lessons we're learning right alongside you. 8 00:00:36,630.996464853 --> 00:00:43,50.994464853 We're moms, we're busy, and life is messy, and around here, we're focused on progress, not perfection. 9 00:00:43,464.55883668 --> 00:00:47,794.56183668 Today, we're continuing on why is my iPhone full tiny task series. 10 00:00:48,154.56083668 --> 00:00:53,394.55783668 Last week, we tackled one of those hidden storage keepers living inside your text message conversations. 11 00:00:53,554.56083668 --> 00:00:55,944.56083668 This week, we're moving into the Photos app itself. 12 00:00:56,4.55783668 --> 00:01:05,455.646508131 Reminder, the Photos app is represented by a colorful little flower-shaped icon that you typically find on your home screen of your iPhone, And this is where your photos library lives. 13 00:01:05,805.647508131 --> 00:01:08,835.651508131 That's what we are referring to when we say Photos app. 14 00:01:09,4.016587496 --> 00:01:14,299.190655523 Now, there are hundreds of things you can do to organize and tidy your photos library, but that's not what this series is about. 15 00:01:14,659.190655523 --> 00:01:19,419.186655523 Around here, we believe momentum beats marathon organizing sessions every time. 16 00:01:19,495.85932219 --> 00:01:27,35.86132219 So today, we're sharing a handful of quick tweaks and tiny tasks that can help free up storage while also helping you better understand how your photos library works. 17 00:01:27,195.85432219 --> 00:01:29,95.85632219 Some of these tasks take less than a minute. 18 00:01:29,212.527988856 --> 00:01:32,402.522988856 Others might become little habits you revisit every few months. 19 00:01:32,599.191655523 --> 00:01:37,419.194655523 Either way, they're all designed to help you make progress, one tiny step at a time. 20 00:01:37,629.195655523 --> 00:01:42,627.41812457 So let's jump in And like I said, last week we talked about tidying up those text message combos. 21 00:01:42,677.41712457 --> 00:01:46,607.41912457 And if you missed that episode, check out the show notes for a link to that episode. 22 00:01:46,828.3605562 --> 00:01:58,758.3605562 Today we'll focus on some areas you can tidy and tweak within your photos library that can not only help you understand why your iPhone may be full, but also some quick tasks that can help you free up that storage. 23 00:01:59,16.43508491 --> 00:02:05,142.80164382 The most immediate task you can do if you don't have this done already is the tiny task of optimizing your photos library. 24 00:02:05,282.80164382 --> 00:02:09,682.80564382 This is a task you can do if you're okay with your photos being stored in the cloud. 25 00:02:09,779.46931048 --> 00:02:18,206.13597715 And I can hear some of you out there, "Okay, Christie, what does optimize storage mean?" Optimize iPhone storage is a setting that helps free up space on your phone. 26 00:02:18,382.80264382 --> 00:02:28,982.80164382 When it's turned on, your full resolution original photos and videos are safely stored in while your iPhone keeps a smaller version that takes up much less space. 27 00:02:29,102.79964382 --> 00:02:39,462.80164382 Whenever you want to view, edit, or share a photo or video, your iPhone automatically grabs the full quality version for you from the cloud as long as you're connected to the internet. 28 00:02:39,569.46931048 --> 00:02:58,917.13942145 And I know we talked about this before because I was thinking, "Hmm, why didn't I have my iPhone photos on optimize?" But yeah, until about two months ago we had awful internet, so it totally makes sense, and my iPhone had a lot of storage space, so that helps as well The important thing to remember is this, your photos and videos haven't disappeared. 29 00:02:59,11.07522206 --> 00:03:00,541.07522206 They're still part of your photos library. 30 00:03:00,761.07522206 --> 00:03:07,728.63066012 You've simply chosen to store the larger original file in the cloud instead of taking up valuable space on your phone. 31 00:03:07,903.12225831 --> 00:03:12,537.31757553 And how do you do this, you ask? Like a lot of things we suggest, it all starts in your Settings app. 32 00:03:12,697.31757553 --> 00:03:18,97.31757553 That little gray gears icon that's also found on your iPhone's homepage, that's the Settings app. 33 00:03:18,218.39824018 --> 00:03:24,621.26310603 If this is something that you're interested in doing then you can turn on optimize storage in settings to save storage space on your phone. 34 00:03:24,772.05317058 --> 00:03:27,712.05417058 But you'll likely need to subscribe to iCloud if you haven't already. 35 00:03:28,92.05417058 --> 00:03:45,342.68582364 Again, to save some storage or free up some storage on your iPhone, turning on optimize iPhone storage will Keep smaller versions of photos on your iPhone, keeps the original full resolution versions in iCloud, and automatically downloads the originals When you open, edit, share, or export the photo. 36 00:03:45,462.68482364 --> 00:03:47,972.68482364 This is one of those features we love about Apple. 37 00:03:48,76.01915697 --> 00:03:52,596.01915697 You'll want to do two things to enable this feature or to check to see if you already have it set up. 38 00:03:52,666.01915697 --> 00:03:57,229.35449031 You're going to go into Settings, click iCloud, click Saved to iCloud, blah. 39 00:03:57,359.35349031 --> 00:04:13,339.35549031 click iCloud Photos, and you want to make sure the check mark is beside Optimize iPhone Storage and because the original resolution of your photo or video will be stored in iCloud, it's very important that you have subscribed to iCloud for the right amount of iCloud storage to house your photos library. 40 00:04:13,576.02215697 --> 00:04:25,52.68782364 To check your iCloud storage, go to Settings again, click on your name at the very top, then click on iCloud, and there you can peruse around and see what's in your iCloud, and you can see what storage amount you have. 41 00:04:25,176.02215697 --> 00:04:32,636.02215697 You can also go one step further and click on Storage to see in more detail exactly what's been stored in your iCloud account. 42 00:04:32,886.02315697 --> 00:04:34,826.02315697 It's kind of neat just to sit there, take a look. 43 00:04:34,969.35249031 --> 00:04:57,49.45024142 I love doing this every once in a while 'cause it's so interesting to me to see what I've been saving and if it's something I actually need to change The path to getting to your iCloud storage is very easy, like I just explained, but an even easier way if you get lost during that path is to head into your Settings app again, look to the bottom of your screen, and type iCloud storage in the little search bar, and it will take you to the exact same place. 44 00:04:57,149.45024142 --> 00:04:57,449.45024142 Boom. 45 00:04:57,609.91478622 --> 00:04:58,289.91578622 Very easy. 46 00:04:58,486.58145288 --> 00:05:02,56.58145288 We do recommend checking in this area from time to time to make sure all is well. 47 00:05:02,256.58145288 --> 00:05:07,226.58145288 And if you're comfortable with your photo life being in the cloud, it's fairly inexpensive to keep it there as well. 48 00:05:07,328.35392106 --> 00:05:11,928.35492106 Often the two hundred gigabyte plan is plenty for people and it's under five dollars a month. 49 00:05:12,92.61469203 --> 00:05:19,482.61369203 If you realize you need more storage as your collection grows, it's easy to change your storage plan in this area of settings as well whenever you need to. 50 00:05:19,759.41841312 --> 00:05:29,556.08607979 Alternatively, if you're not a fan of the cloud, which is completely fine, you can opt for a regular photo dump to your computer and be okay with not having your entire photo collection on your phone. 51 00:05:30,4.25620475 --> 00:05:40,657.58853808 This just means that if you really want to see that one photo of that amazing sunset and you've already dumped it off your phone, you may have to look somewhere else for it if your collection is greater in size than what your phone can hold. 52 00:05:40,924.25620475 --> 00:05:51,4.25620475 A regular photo dump is when you plug your phone into your computer, copy your photos to your photo hub folder, and then delete some of all those photos and videos from your iPhone to free up space. 53 00:05:51,290.92287142 --> 00:06:01,27.52377845 hub? And what is a photo hub you ask? It's one designated location that holds your photo, collection Usually, like I mentioned, a folder on your computer or it could even be a folder on an external hard drive. 54 00:06:01,167.52577845 --> 00:06:07,567.52277845 Just make sure you name your photo hub folder very clearly so you know exactly what it is when you're looking for it later. 55 00:06:07,917.52577845 --> 00:06:11,797.52577845 And hey, you could even write the name of your folder in your photo organizing notebook. 56 00:06:11,880.36551314 --> 00:06:24,758.36751314 Thank you past self for helping future self because we all know our brains are super full Another option to help ease why your iPhone may be full is not necessarily one tiny task, but is a series of small steps to achieve your goal. 57 00:06:24,988.36751314 --> 00:06:29,478.36751314 So let's call this our tiny task detour or tiny task squared. 58 00:06:29,721.70084647 --> 00:06:33,261.70184647 Number one, you can simply buy a new phone with lots of storage. 59 00:06:33,335.03367981 --> 00:06:37,985.03367981 If storage is an issue, of course, and you're on an older phone, now might be the time to upgrade. 60 00:06:38,210.83952243 --> 00:06:44,430.84052243 iPhones two thousand and thirteen to two thousand and sixteen have a minimum storage capacity of a hundred and twenty-eight gigs. 61 00:06:44,780.83952243 --> 00:06:45,570.84052243 That's really good. 62 00:06:45,789.75294944 --> 00:06:48,859.75294944 That means the lowest storage you can get is a hundred and twenty-eight gigs. 63 00:06:49,43.08628278 --> 00:06:56,103.08528278 But now with the iPhone seventeens, the minimum storage capacity is two hundred and fifty-six gigabytes, which is incredible. 64 00:06:56,463.08428278 --> 00:07:15,814.41761611 That's more than enough room for many people's photo collections to live on their phone without having to optimize or use the cloud if you don't want to Number two, videos are one of the largest storage suckers, as they often take up the most storage per file, and it's not uncommon to find unintentional videos taken sitting in your photos library. 65 00:07:15,931.08328278 --> 00:07:20,751.08328278 So it's worth a filtered search to see if there's any unwanted video culprits that you can delete right away. 66 00:07:21,241.08328278 --> 00:07:29,477.75094944 For this tiny task detour, what you'll do is go to your Photos app, look at the top right of your screen to find the three little lines in that circle icon. 67 00:07:29,767.74994944 --> 00:07:34,564.41361611 Reminder, this is where you're gonna find that icon if you're on the latest iOS, AKA update. 68 00:07:34,764.41561611 --> 00:07:39,24.41261611 This feature may be available in a slightly different place if you're on a different version. 69 00:07:39,114.41461611 --> 00:07:43,544.41161611 But you're gonna find that icon, you're gonna tap then on Filter, and then tap on Videos. 70 00:07:43,714.41161611 --> 00:07:52,244.41061611 Now your view is filtered to only see videos, which makes it much easier to see all your videos at a glance and make deleting decisions quickly. 71 00:07:52,654.41261611 --> 00:07:56,714.41161611 It can be very tempting to linger in this view and revisit memories for a long time. 72 00:07:57,14.41361611 --> 00:08:03,57.74294944 But if you only have a few minutes to do this little tiny task detour, be very intentional to stay on task. 73 00:08:03,84.41461611 --> 00:08:17,452.14277484 But on the flip side of that, if you have some time to actually sit and enjoy some memories, this is a great way to do it Number three, one more tiny task detour within the Photos app you can do that Amanda and I love doing is tidying up the themed groups that Apple automatically populates. 74 00:08:17,705.47510817 --> 00:08:23,175.47510817 In your Photos app, you can click on the collections button in the bottom left of your screen. 75 00:08:23,248.80744151 --> 00:08:31,330.48109978 And as a reminder, when you click into your Photos app, you're usually in the library view where you can scroll and scroll and scroll and see your photos and videos. 76 00:08:31,527.14576645 --> 00:08:41,277.14676645 Tapping on the collections view, like I just mentioned, at the bottom left of your screen, you can change the views to collections, and then you can toggle back and forth between these two views. 77 00:08:41,457.14576645 --> 00:08:41,997.14576645 Very cool. 78 00:08:42,120.48109978 --> 00:08:50,660.48109978 In the collections view, usually the utilities and media types groupings are way down at the bottom of your collections area unless you've customized it differently. 79 00:08:50,893.81543311 --> 00:09:02,80.47709978 In the utilities and media types area, you're gonna see photos grouped in themes like duplicates,, receipts, handwriting, documents, selfies, time-lapse, screenshots, et cetera. 80 00:09:02,400.48009978 --> 00:09:04,260.48109978 It's a very fun place to go in. 81 00:09:04,447.14876645 --> 00:09:08,47.14676645 The amount of duplicates you're gonna see in there might be mind-boggling. 82 00:09:08,263.81643311 --> 00:09:09,63.81243311 It was for me though. 83 00:09:09,243.81243311 --> 00:09:14,210.48209978 And actually super, super easy to go in there and delete a bunch of duplicates because they're already grouped for you. 84 00:09:14,380.48309978 --> 00:09:14,980.48209978 Thank you, Apple. 85 00:09:15,462.74305067 --> 00:09:18,42.74405067 Go into this area and see if there are any items you can delete. 86 00:09:18,162.74005067 --> 00:09:20,632.74205067 And again, videos will always take up the most storage. 87 00:09:20,772.74005067 --> 00:09:28,372.73705067 But if you end up deleting mass groups of unnecessary informational photos you don't need anymore, that can be a great space-saving help as well. 88 00:09:28,579.40571733 --> 00:09:40,319.40371733 Number four, once you've done some deleting, you won't see freed up storage immediately because reminder, as a safeguard, Apple will store deleted items in a recently deleted folder for thirty days. 89 00:09:40,442.73805067 --> 00:09:50,882.73105067 So that being said, if you need more storage immediately, be sure to also head to your recently deleted folder in your Photos app to delete from there. 90 00:09:50,979.04163797 --> 00:09:55,919.04063797 You can find that recently deleted folder in your collections tab or view as well. 91 00:09:56,154.27356304 --> 00:10:03,124.27256304 Once you go to your recently deleted folder, you're likely gonna need your face ID or to enter your password so that you can get into this album. 92 00:10:03,544.27356304 --> 00:10:13,235.14325173 You can then delete all or select which photos or videos you want to immediately delete So There is a lot of information there, but very, very helpful information. 93 00:10:13,348.79177781 --> 00:10:20,378.79177781 These are all just some tweaks or tiny task detours you can make to help free up storage on your phone and help you save space faster. 94 00:10:20,407.86534017 --> 00:10:22,867.00566216 We suggest Getting familiar with these locations. 95 00:10:23,117.00566216 --> 00:10:27,47.00566216 They can help explain why your iPhone is so full and of course help you change that. 96 00:10:27,284.98293544 --> 00:10:32,924.98293544 But before we wrap up, let's do a quick recap of today's Tiny Tasks and Tiny Task Detours. 97 00:10:33,242.14620075 --> 00:10:44,878.81386741 Turn on Optimize iPhone Storage if you're wanting to save space and store your high-resolution photos or videos in the cloud and your lower resolution versions of that photo or video on your iPhone. 98 00:10:45,414.62479471 --> 00:10:49,174.62379471 Check your iCloud storage to make sure you have enough space for your photos library. 99 00:10:49,321.28946138 --> 00:10:54,51.29246138 If the cloud isn't for you, create a regular habit of moving photos to your photo hub. 100 00:10:54,144.62279471 --> 00:10:59,904.62179471 And our Tiny Task Detours were: Filter your library to videos and remove any you no longer need. 101 00:11:00,159.14714003 --> 00:11:06,699.14814003 Browse through Apple's utilities and media types to quickly delete things like screenshots, duplicates, receipts, and other clutter. 102 00:11:06,923.46406455 --> 00:11:14,874.80039788 And if you need more storage back right away after doing deleting, don't forget to empty your recently deleted album Today's episode wasn't about deleting your memories. 103 00:11:14,944.80039788 --> 00:11:17,374.80039788 It's about being intentional with your storage. 104 00:11:17,564.80039788 --> 00:11:25,528.21836387 Sometimes the biggest wins come from making one small setting change Finding a few forgotten videos or spending five minutes clearing out photos you no longer need. 105 00:11:25,728.21836387 --> 00:11:28,498.21836387 Little by little, those tiny tasks start to add up. 106 00:11:28,898.21836387 --> 00:11:35,459.69749295 Free the phone, free the digital clutter, and free the mental clutter, and keep creating space for memories that really matter. 107 00:11:36,99.69749295 --> 00:11:42,199.69649295 And if you found today's tiny task helpful, we'd love it if you followed or subscribed to Sort It Out so you don't miss the next one. 108 00:11:42,563.12974496 --> 00:11:47,833.12874496 Next week, we'll tackle another hidden storage culprit that's quietly taking up space on your iPhone. 109 00:11:48,383.12874496 --> 00:11:53,473.13174496 Until then, take what fits, leave what doesn't, and we'll see you next time on Sort It Out.
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