The iPhone, like any smartphone, will inevitably run into memory shortages. Before deleting cherished photos or subscribing to cloud storage, there are plenty of practical, less obvious ways to reclaim space. Here, the focus is on effective, user-friendly options that work for both iOS and Android devices in Canada and the United States.
iOS and Android guides
Beyond speeding up app loading and stabilizing the system, clearing memory on an iPhone serves several important purposes:
- Performance improvement. App caches accumulate data over time and can slow down the device.
- Free up storage space. This matters especially on devices with limited internal memory.
- Fix application errors. Outdated or corrupted cache data can cause apps to misbehave.
- Privacy. Clearing cache helps protect personal information, which is important if the device is being sold or handed to someone else.
How to Clean Your iPhone Before Selling It
Before selling an iPhone, follow a few straightforward steps to thoroughly wipe personal information and restore the device to a clean state:
- Back up important data via iCloud or iTunes.
- Sign out of all accounts, including iCloud, iTunes, and the App Store (Settings – Username – Sign Out).
- Disable Find My iPhone (Settings – Username – iCloud – Find iPhone).
- Reset all settings and content (Settings – General – Reset – Erase All Content and Settings).
- If an Apple Watch is paired, disconnect it from the iPhone.
- Remove the SIM card.
- Optional: Reset your iPhone to erase all user data and settings.
This approach ensures that personal data is removed and the iPhone is restored to factory settings, ready for transfer to a new owner.
Clear System Data
Managing system data can help reclaim space. A simple method is to review app data and manage storage to identify what is using the most space. This can lead to meaningful gains without deleting anything essential.
To navigate this on most devices, go to the storage settings and inspect the breakdown of memory usage. Temporary files, cached media, and large apps can often be reviewed and managed with minimal disruption to ongoing usage.
How to Download Unused Apps
Periodically reviewing installed apps can free substantial space. Start by opening the device settings and selecting storage information. There you can see a list of apps and the space they occupy.
To reinstall an app later, tap it and choose the option to download or reinstall. This lets users keep essential apps and remove those that are rarely used, freeing up space for more important data when needed.
Delete a Photo
Photos on the iPhone can fill storage quickly, especially when high-resolution images and videos are involved. Duplicates can accumulate, and videos shot in high definition can consume significant space.
Review the Photos app and check sections for Duplicates and Recently Deleted. Duplicates stores exact copies that can be removed safely, while Recently Deleted acts as a temporary trash bin for recently removed items and still counts toward used space. Regularly archiving photos and videos to external drives or cloud storage helps prevent memory shortages.
How to Clear Telegram Cache
Telegram is widely used and often caches media locally, which can quickly reach tens of gigabytes. In Telegram, navigate to Settings, then Data and Memory. Open Memory Usage and tap Clear Cache. The process typically completes in a few minutes.
How to Clear VKontakte Cache
On VKontakte, the approach mirrors the Telegram method. Open Settings, find the Applications section, and choose Clear Cache twice to reclaim space.
How to Clear Spotify Cache
Spotify differentiates between cached data and downloaded music. Clearing cache can free a surprising amount of space without affecting the user’s library. Go to Settings, then Storage, and select Clear Cache. Spotify keeps the downloaded music intact while removing temporary files.
How to Clear Yandex Maps Cache
Yandex Maps may store maps offline, which can take up substantial space. In Settings, locate Offline Maps and use Delete downloaded maps to reclaim memory. This helps keep the device responsive without sacrificing essential navigation data.
How to Clear WhatsApp Cache
WhatsApp offers straightforward cache management. Open Settings, then Data and Storage, and select Storage management. There you can review media and chats by size and delete items as needed. The Disappearing Messages feature can also help limit future cache growth.
How to Clear YouTube Cache
The YouTube app on iPhone does not provide a direct cache-clearing option. Three common workarounds exist: uninstall and reinstall YouTube, re-download the app, or use third-party tools that clear iOS cache in a supported way.
How to Clear Browser History
To clear browser history, open the browser app, tap the history icon, and select Clear. This removes recently visited pages and improves privacy and performance.
(VG Times)