To automatically offload apps on iPhone, open Settings > Apps > App Store and turn on Offload Unused Apps. On iOS 17 and earlier the switch is in Settings > App Store. From then on, when storage runs low, your iPhone removes apps you haven’t used in a while but keeps their documents and data. The app’s icon stays on your Home Screen with a small cloud next to it, and tapping it reinstalls the app exactly as you left it.
Offloading vs deleting
| Offload | Delete | |
|---|---|---|
| App removed | Yes | Yes |
| Documents and data kept | Yes | No (unless backed up to iCloud by the app) |
| Icon stays on Home Screen | Yes, with a cloud icon | No |
| Space freed | The app itself | The app and all its data |
| To get it back | Tap the icon | Download again from the App Store |
Offloading is a good fit for big apps you use now and then, such as games, travel apps or photo editors. If you never use an app, deleting it frees more space.
Turn on automatic offloading
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap Apps, then App Store. On iOS 17 or earlier, tap App Store directly in the main Settings list.
- Scroll to the bottom and turn on Offload Unused Apps.
There’s a second way in: Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If your iPhone suggests Offload Unused Apps under Recommendations, tap Enable. It turns on the same setting.
How iPhone decides what to offload
Apple doesn’t publish an exact rule. Your iPhone looks at which apps you’ve opened least recently and starts offloading them only when free space is low, for example when a large update or video needs room. Apps you use regularly aren’t touched. Apple’s built-in apps can be offloaded too if you haven’t used them.
There’s no list of which apps will go next. To see what has been offloaded, look for a cloud icon beside an app’s name on the Home Screen or in the App Library.
Offload a single app yourself
If you’d rather choose, offload apps one at a time:
- Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage. It can take a few seconds to load.
- Apps are listed by size, with the largest at the top. Tap one.
- Tap Offload App, then confirm.
The same screen shows App Size and Documents & Data, so you can see how much space each part takes before you decide. If Documents & Data is much larger than the app, offloading won’t help much. Clearing the app’s downloads or cache from inside the app does more.
Get an offloaded app back
Tap its icon. The cloud turns into a progress circle while the app downloads, then it opens with your sign-in, settings and data in place. You can also reinstall it from Settings > General > iPhone Storage by tapping the app and choosing Reinstall App.
You need an internet connection to reinstall. If an app has been removed from the App Store since you offloaded it, you can’t get it back, so keep apps you depend on installed.
Turn off automatic offloading
Go back to Settings > Apps > App Store (or Settings > App Store) and turn off Offload Unused Apps. Apps that were already offloaded stay offloaded until you tap them.
It’s worth turning off if you often travel without a signal, such as on flights, since an offloaded map, translation or entertainment app won’t be usable until you’re online again.
Other ways to free up iPhone storage
- Photos and videos: turn on Optimize iPhone Storage in Settings > Photos if you use iCloud Photos, or copy them to a computer, such as a Windows 11 PC.
- Messages: in Settings > Apps > Messages, set Keep Messages to 1 year to delete old attachments automatically.
- Recently Deleted: empty the Recently Deleted album in Photos. Deleted photos still use space for up to 30 days.
- Downloaded media: remove downloaded shows, music and podcast episodes you’ve already watched or listened to.
Troubleshooting
I can’t find Offload Unused Apps
On iOS 18 and later, App Store settings moved under Settings > Apps. Scroll to the bottom of the Apps list, or use the search box at the top of Settings and type “offload”.
An offloaded app won’t reinstall
Check your connection and that you’re signed in to the App Store with the same Apple Account used to download it. If the download stalls, restart the iPhone and tap the icon again.
The switch is greyed out
Screen Time restrictions or a work or school management profile can block it. Check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > App Store Purchases > Deleting Apps, or ask your organization.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose game progress if an app is offloaded?
No. Offloading keeps the app’s data on your iPhone. Game progress that’s saved locally comes back when you reinstall.
Does offloading work on iPad?
Yes. The setting is in the same place on iPadOS.
When did Apple add this feature?
Offload Unused Apps has been available since iOS 11, so any iPhone that can run a current version of iOS has it.
Summary
- Open Settings > Apps > App Store (or Settings > App Store on iOS 17).
- Turn on Offload Unused Apps.
- Offload single apps from Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Tap a cloud icon to reinstall an app with its data.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.