Want to save space on your iPhone without deleting your favorite apps? iOS 17 has a handy feature that lets you automatically offload apps you don’t use often. It keeps your data and documents, so you can easily reinstall the app when you need it.
You can watch this video about how to automatically offload apps on an iPhone for additional info.
How to Automatically Offload Apps on iOS 17
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about what this feature does. Offloading apps removes the app from your iPhone but keeps all the data. So, when you reinstall the app, everything is how you left it.
Step 1: Open Settings
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
The Settings app is where you manage all your iPhone’s settings, including those for offloading apps.
Step 2: Tap on App Store
Scroll down and tap on “App Store” in the Settings menu.
The App Store settings let you manage how apps are downloaded and updated.
Step 3: Enable Offload Unused Apps
Switch on the toggle next to “Offload Unused Apps.”
This feature calculates which apps you haven’t used in a while and removes them from your iPhone automatically.
After you complete the steps, your iPhone will manage your app storage for you. It offloads apps you haven’t used in a while, but you can always reinstall them with one tap.
Tips for Offloading Apps on iOS 17
- Keep in mind that offloading apps does not delete your data.
- You can manually offload apps if you don’t want to wait for iOS 17 to do it automatically.
- If you’re low on storage, consider offloading music, photos, and videos as well.
- Reinstalling an offloaded app is easy—just tap on its icon on the home screen.
- You can check which apps have been offloaded by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my app data when I offload an app?
Your app data is saved, so you can pick up right where you left off when you reinstall the app.
Can I offload apps manually?
Yes, you can offload individual apps by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, selecting an app, and tapping “Offload App.”
How do I reinstall an offloaded app?
Just tap on the app’s icon on your home screen, and it will download again.
Does offloading apps save a lot of space?
It can, especially if you offload large apps that you don’t use often.
Will offloaded apps automatically reinstall when I need them?
No, you will need to tap on the app icon to reinstall it manually.
Summary
- Open Settings
- Tap on App Store
- Enable Offload Unused Apps
Conclusion
In the digital age, smartphone storage is a precious commodity. With countless apps, photos, and videos, it’s easy to run out of space on your iPhone. But thanks to iOS 17, managing your storage has never been easier. By automatically offloading apps, you can free up space while keeping your data intact, ready for when you need it again. It’s a smart way to keep your iPhone running smoothly without having to part with the apps you love. So go ahead, give it a try, and say goodbye to those pesky “Storage Almost Full” notifications once and for all.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing technology how-to articles and tutorials for over a decade. He has extensive experience in information technology both in small business and as a consultant.
His articles have appeared on dozens of websites and been read millions of times.
He covers many different topics concerning technology, but focuses primarily on smartphones, consumer software, and consumer electronics.
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