How to do it
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Check the Photos row
Open Settings, tap General, then tap iPhone Storage. Wait for the list to load, then tap Photos to see its size.
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Check whether iCloud Photos is on
Open Settings, tap your name at the top, tap iCloud, then tap Photos. See whether Sync this iPhone is on and which storage option is selected.
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Delete what you don’t need, then empty Recently Deleted
In the Photos app, delete large videos and clutter. Then swipe up, tap Recently Deleted under Utilities, unlock it, tap Select, and choose Delete All.
What is Documents and Data for the Photos app?
In iPhone Storage, each app shows the size of the app itself and a separate Documents and Data figure. For Photos, the app is small. The data is your library: the photos and videos kept on this iPhone. A very large number usually means a very large library is stored locally.
Why is it still huge with iCloud turned off?
With iCloud Photos off, nothing is stored in the cloud for your iPhone to lean on. Every original photo and video stays on the phone at full size. With iCloud Photos on and Optimize Storage selected, the phone keeps space-saving versions while the originals stay in iCloud (Apple Support). Turning iCloud off removes that option.
Shared Albums are a separate feature. Switching them off doesn’t remove anything from your own library.
| Setting | What stays on your iPhone |
|---|---|
| iCloud Photos off | Every original, at full size |
| iCloud Photos on, Download and Keep Originals | Every original, at full size |
| iCloud Photos on, Optimize Storage | Space-saving versions; originals stay in iCloud |
What usually takes the most space?
Long videos, especially 4K, are the usual cause. Thousands of Live Photos, bursts and screenshots add up too. Open the Photos app, tap Albums, then look at Videos and Screenshots under Media Types to see how many you have.
How do I bring the number down?
Delete large videos and clutter you don’t need first. Deleted items move to Recently Deleted for 30 days and still count until you delete them there. If you want to keep everything and your iCloud plan has room, turning on iCloud Photos with Optimize Storage can free space on the phone. Make sure your photos have finished uploading before you rely on that.
Is Documents and Data the same as the iOS “Other” storage?
No. The Photos figure is your library. “System Data” is a separate row in iPhone Storage, and it isn’t what you’re seeing under Photos.