iPad Pro IOS update for an iPad constantly without enough storage

[Ralfi]

Any tips for someone with an iPad that can’t update to the latest IOS due to not having enough space?

It’s a constant battle to clear storage prior to any update & it seems when I finally work out a way to do it (can’t recall how), the next update appears & I need to go through the whole process again….But I haven’t worked out a sure-fire method of doing it yet.

If only Photos could be offloaded. This is the one App that could clear enough GB for the update to commence (& I have optimised storage enabled).

Tia!

 

[StumpyBloke]

The obvious answer, of course is to buy a new iPad with a decent amount of storage. That’s the easy answer money allowing.

The only other thing I can suggest is if you cannot remove any more apps etc to recover more storage, make sure you’ve got everything backed up, wipe the iPad, set it up as new without signing into an Apple ID (so it doesn’t download anything) and then see if you can get it updated that way. Just a reminder you’re going to keep having this problem every time there is an update.

 

[Ralfi]

Yeah, I think I may need to consider finally upgrading this 2018 iPad. Storage has brought me undone! Although typing feedback delays has become frustrating.

It was a solid device for so many years that it shouldn’t surprise that it’s finally reached its limit.

In my subconscious, I was hoping the iPhone Fold could replace the need for an iPad completely, but it’s still too early for that as 1st iterations are usually a bad investment strategy.

So what Pro model should I hold out for?

 

[Davidalan]

You could purchase additional storage in the form of an external usb a or c removable flash drive. Off load (copy to the flash drive). Confirm the success of the transfer then delete the phots from the photos app. You even store an extra backup to this drive as well just in case, do that if you choose so prior to deleting any photos or app data.

4 Ways to Free iPad Storage Without Upgrading — Lifewire

These practical tips help you reclaim space even on older or lower-capacity models

apple.news

 

[Ralfi]

Well I just managed to offload enough apps to get the update done. I may have cracked the code…

 

[I7guy]

32 gig in today’s oversized operating systems are tough to deal with. I had the same issue with my iPad 7th gen and last month I had enough and purchased an IPP M5.

 

[rui no onna]

Instead of OTA updates, how about updating using Mac/PC? I think that gets around the low storage.

Unfortunately, 32GB is too little nowadays. I expect 64GB will have the same problem soon.

 

[*~Kim~*]

Instead of OTA updates, how about updating using Mac/PC? I think that gets around the low storage.

Unfortunately, 32GB is too little nowadays. I expect 64GB will have the same problem soon.

This is the case for me. Not too bothered though as I am happy with the performance of my Mini 6 and expect it to worsen were I to upgrade past 17.7.1 (occasionally have some battery issues already) and intend to upgrade to the OLED version.

I had to delete a load to upgrade to 17.7.1 when I did.

OPs 2018 iPad Pro will be 64GB as only the 1st Gen came in a 32GB variant.

 

[Ralfi]

Instead of OTA updates, how about updating using Mac/PC? I think that gets around the low storage.

Unfortunately, 32GB is too little nowadays. I expect 64GB will have the same problem soon.

That was also a challenge a couple of updates ago - it failed repeatedly on my home PC with both iTunes & Apple Devices Apps. So I tried it with my work laptop after installing Apple Devices on it & it eventually worked after a number of failures.

Yeah even 128GB might be pushing it. I just realised that my iPhone X has double the storage of the iPhone 15…Apple went backwards with the minimum capacity of iPhones eh.

OPs 2018 iPad Pro will be 64GB as only the 1st Gen came in a 32GB variant.

Yep 64GB.

 

[rui no onna]

OPs 2018 iPad Pro will be 64GB as only the 1st Gen came in a 32GB variant.

Ah, OP didn't mention in his first post that it was the Pro model. The regular 2018 iPad 6th gen had 32GB base.

Indeed, 32GB was the base storage for regular iPads until the 2020 iPad 8th gen. I guess one good thing about that is lack of storage prevents accidental updates to iPadOS 26.

 

[rui no onna]

Yeah even 128GB might be pushing it. I just realised that my iPhone X has double the storage of the iPhone 15…Apple went backwards with the minimum capacity of iPhones eh.

Minimum storage for the iPhone X was 64GB. You probably just bought the higher capacity model.

 

[Ralfi]

I think the last IOS update made future updates easier - I had installed a few Apps since the previous update so thought I’d need to manage my Apps again for the current update, but I was given the option to temporarily offload Apps (as opposed to being rejected the update & forced to offload Apps manually). Hope that continues.

 

[rui no onna]

I think the last IOS update made future updates easier - I had installed a few Apps since the previous update so thought I’d need to manage my Apps again for the current update, but I was given the option to temporarily offload Apps (as opposed to being rejected the update & forced to offload Apps manually). Hope that continues.

That's been an option for a while now. Alas, I have apps that have been completely removed from the App Store and I don't want to take the risk of those getting offloaded from my device so I can only go the manual offload/delete route.

 

[Ralfi]

That's been an option for a while now. Alas, I have apps that have been completely removed from the App Store and I don't want to take the risk of those getting offloaded from my device so I can only go the manual offload/delete route.

I’ve not noticed it before on iPad, only on iPhone.

It may’ve shown up this time because the storage wasn’t as full as it was prior to the last IOS update (due to many Apps still being offloaded since then)…ie. There may have only needed to be minimal Apps requiring offloading this time…?

 

[Gregg2]

I got tired of the lack of storage on my iPad 8th generation, even though connecting it to my Mac always worked for updates. So I replaced it last year. Now I can load it with lots more stuff, and still have storage issues! (Not a problem, yet.)