I am getting a 'storage full' message - how do I fix this?

At iTandCoffee, we regularly see clients who are suffering a 'Storage Full' message, but are not clear on just what storage has run out.

While it may be the physical storage on the device (computer, iPad, iPhone, Android device) that has been filled up, so often it is a Cloud service that is the issue - eg. Dropbox, Google, or OneDrive, or iCloud.

These services will offer a limited amount of storage for free, and then payment is required for additional storage, with different tiers of storage payment. Once the available storage limit is reached, the decision must be made to either pay some/more money, or clean out whatever is filling up that cloud.

I have had two clients this week alone who had found their Google account was full, which then blocked their emails.

Another client had found that her Windows computer had filled up because of automatic syncing of photos to her computer by the iCloud Photos service - something she didn't really need, given that the computer had limited storage and was just for study/work.

And every week I see clients who have the 'iCloud full' issue, with persistent messages popping up.

So, when a client asks about a 'full storage' issue, further investigation is required and the resolution may be computer-based or 'cloud-based'.

In each case where this happens we need to first work out

• where the 'storage full' message is coming from - is it that the physical device is full, or a 'cloud' service that is full
• if it is the physical device, do a clean-out of locally stored files and apps that aren't needed.
• if there is a cloud service involved, determine the sync settings that determine what is uploading to and downloading from the applicable cloud - is it just file storage or photo sync'ing
• is there another device that may be contributing to the storage of the cloud service
• turn off sync'ing of anything that shouldn't be uploading to the cloud or downloading from the cloud - on all involved devices
• remove files and photos from the cloud that is full
• clean up any computer files that are no longer needed once the 'sync' service has been turned off.

Below we share our approach to cleaning up computer storage, as well as some helpful articles that provide some more specific advice about cleaning up your device's storage and iCloud storage. (Some articles are members-only articles for our iTandCoffee Club members. Find out more about The iTandCoffee Club here.)

Cleaning up storage on a computer

When I help a client clean up physical storage on a computer, I will generally look for (and remove)

• empty the trash/re-cycle bin of previously deleted files. (Sometimes, this is all that is needed!)
• delete temporary files and Downloads that have been accumulating
• remove large files that are no longer needed
• remove apps that are no longer needed
• look for and remove duplicated files, especially large ones
• remove old iTunes backups and sync'd apps (from past physical sync'ing of Apple devices with the computer)
• if there is a Cloud service sync'ing files to the computer, consider which folders/files need to be stored locally and which can be just 'cloud-based' - the can save a large amount of storage, while still providing easy access to files.

Here are some previous articles from iTandCoffee about cleaning up your Mac's storage:

• This feature of makes it so much easier to manage your Mac's storage
• How to check if your Mac is running out of storage space
• Clearing up old iTunes backups on your Mac to free up storage

And here is a great article from Windows Central about how to clean up your Windows computer storage

• Running out of storage? Try these tips to free up space on Windows 10

Cleaning up an iPad and iPhone

• Managing the storage on your iPad and iPhone
• When your photos are clogging up your iPhone or iPad ...     

Cleaning up a full iCloud

• What to do when your iCloud is full - Managing and upgrading your iCloud storage
• Removing unwanted backups from your iCloud
• ​Have you got problems with iCloud - 'storage full' message, mis-directed messages, muddled Contacts and Calendar, and more?  
• What to do if iCloud takes over your Documents and Desktop folders on your Mac
• Answering your questions about iCloud Photo Library    ​  ​

Cleaning up a full Google account and stopping unwanted sync'ing

• Deleting Photos from your Google account
• Turning off automatic uploading of mobile device photos to Google Photos
  
• How to stop Google from Backing up the Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders - and photos - from your computer

Stopping Photos sync'ing to Dropbox and OneDrive

We'll cover these in a separate handy hint soon.  

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​If you are an iTandCoffee Club member, email us to let us know that you are interested in this topic (at club@itandcoffee.com.au). 

Or why not come along to our monthly User Group and ask about this one!