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I am running an iPad mini 5th generation with iOS 17.7.2. Trying to update to iOS 18.2.1. There are 20+ Gb free storage space on the iPad, but I am getting an “Insufficient space to download the software” message.
Any suggestions how to resolve this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Thank you for your reply and the numerous links.
But I do wonder whether you read my original post properly: I have more than 20 (twenty!) Gb of free space on my iPad.
So, insufficient space should really not be an issue.
Thank you for your reply and the numerous links.
But I do wonder whether you read my original post properly: I have more than 20 (twenty!) Gb of free space on my iPad.
So, insufficient space should really not be an issue.
I suggest that you try updating your iPad via computer ((if you don't have a computer, borrow one from your friends/neighbors, or ask for help at an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider), then learn how to update your device manually if you're using a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, or if you're using a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier or a Windows PC.
If you still get no help, contact Apple Support directly, using this link:--> Contact Apple for support and service
Regards
Giulio
Thank you for your helpful reply. I had already considered updating the iPad via computer as you suggested, but given that I have over 20 GB free space on the iPad and still get a message that there’s not enough space to download the software, I have been wondering whether there’s some other underlying issue with my iPad (or the software ?) that I should address first. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated. Thank you.
When performing an OTA update from iPad settings, you may temporarily require double the stated space requirement for the system software update. With storage constrained devices, in particular those models with only 32 or 64GB internal storage, maintaining adequate unused storage can be a significant challenge.
It is generally recommended that you maintain at least 4-6GB of free space at all times - as your iPad needs some temporary space to complete many tasks. When performing system software updates, you may temporarily require more...
A system software update requires sufficient space to be downloaded, unpacked and verified prior to installation - major version updates (such as updating from iPadOS 17.x to iPadOS 18) requiring considerably more space than an incremental point-update. After the update is successfully completed, temporary files are automatically deleted - returning free space.
If your internal storage is full, or is insufficient for the task that you need to perform, your only option is to better manage the storage that you have - and delete unused Apps or unneeded data.
These support pages should prove to be helpful:
About storage on your device and in iCloud – Apple Support
What's the difference between device storage and iCloud storage? – Apple Support
Manage your iCloud storage – Apple Support
How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch – Apple Support
Clear Other storage on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
“Offloading” Apps can be a helpful method of creating temporary space for a software update:
https://9to5mac.com/2020/01/21/how-to-offload-apps-in-ios-to-save-space-without-deleting-their-data/
Additional information about creating sufficient space for installation of a software update can be found here:
If you need more space for an update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
External storage options can often help with managing limited internal storage. Depending upon your iPad model, the iPad will either have a Lightning or USB-C port - and may therefore require either an Adapter or USB hub to connect the USB Storage device. If your iPad has a Lightning port, you’ll need an Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A
An alternative strategy where space is short is to perform the update using a Windows PC (with iTunes for Windows installed) or a Mac computer (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of macOS) to perform the update. Here the update package is downloaded, unpacked and verified on the computer - before the update is installed by the computer on the target device. Notwithstanding the general recommendation to maintain at least 4-6GB of free-space on the iPad, this method requires considerably less free-space to successfully install an OS update on a space-constrained device.
Thank you. Yes, I thought I had understood your reply.
However, when I look at the multitude of statements on the net regarding free space requirement for the iOS 18 update, they range from Apple’s own stated minimum of 7.14Gb to a maximum of 17Gb stated by some users. As I said in my original post I have more than 20Gb free space available.
So I remain puzzled
What am I missing in your reply?
chinch1 wrote:
But I do wonder whether you read my original post properly: I have more than 20 (twenty!) Gb of free space on my iPad.
I might equally question whether you had read and understood the reply... 🙂
Should
'Insufficient Space' error when updating iPad mini despite free storage
