There are many reasons to upgrade to iOS 8 or iOS 8.1 on an iPhone or iPad, but many users are running out of space. When you don’t have enough space to upgrade to iOS 8.1 or iOS 8, you’ll lose even more space as the iOS 8 or iOS 8.1 download uses up to 1GB of storage space on your iPhone or iPad.
Even if you don’t have enough space on your iPhone or iPad, we’ll show you how to upgrade from iOS 7 to iOS 8 or iOS 8.1. This is especially helpful for users with an 8GB or 16GB Apple device.
If you’re using an older iPhone 4s or iPad 2, you’ll definitely want to read our iOS 8.1 review coverage to see if you should install it, but for most other devices, upgrading to iOS 8 is an easy decision.
In case you want to wait a little longer, check out five things you need to know about iOS 8.1 and what you can expect from the iOS 8.1.1 update Apple is working on.
Upgrade to iOS 8.1 even when you see not enough storage space error.
If you are new to iOS 8, now the update will update you directly to iOS 8.1. Considering that this free update has fixed many iOS 8 issues that have frustrated users during the first month after Apple’s iOS 8 release, that’s a good thing. Most of the issues have been fixed or significantly better and iOS 8.1.1 will bring even more fixes in the near future.
iOS 8 and iOS 8.1 are free updates and are available for iPhone 4s and later, iPad mini and iPad 2 and later, and iPod touch 5th generation.
When upgrading from iOS 7.1.2 or earlier, iOS 8 and iOS 8.1 update is over 1GB. This is a huge file that has no space on some devices. Even if you can download the iOS 8.1 update, you may not have 4-5GB of free space on the iPhone or iPad you want to update.
We will show you how to update without deleting files even when you have no free space.
How to Upgrade to iOS 8.1 When Out of Space
This short guide will show you how to install iOS 8.1 when you run out of storage space on iPhone or iPad. You can do this to upgrade directly from iOS 6 or iOS 7 to the latest version of iOS 8. You cannot go back to iOS 6 or iOS 7, so make sure you want to upgrade before using this guide.
“This update cannot be installed because it requires at least 4.6GB of storage. You can free up more storage space by deleting items in Usage Settings.”
This will help you upgrade to iOS 8.1 even when you see the error above.
What do you need
Upgrade to iOS 8.1 using iTunes even when you have no storage available.
You will need your iPhone or iPad with at least 50% charge. You need a computer with iTunes installed. Ideally this is a computer you’re syncing to, but it doesn’t have to be. You also need the charging cable you use to power your iPhone or iPad (lightning or wider 30-pin dock connector). You’ll also need at least 15 minutes, but it could probably take longer depending on the connection speed.
Be sure to back up your iPhone or iPad before continuing. This can happen via iCloud or iTunes backup when connected. Things are unlikely to go wrong, but you definitely want a backup just in case.
Get Started with an iOS 8.1 Update
Here’s a quick set of steps to take when you’re out of space on an iPhone or iPad to update to iOS 8.1. If the device has already downloaded the iOS 8 or iOS 8.1 update, this will actually save some space for you.
Use this guide to install iOS 8.1 when your phone says no storage.
- Open iTunes and update to the latest version of iTunes if necessary.
- Plug the iPhone or iPad into the computer using your charging cable.
- If not prompted, click your iPhone or iPad in the menu area of iTunes.
- Then click Check for Update.
- Accept the download and let the update begin.
- The iPhone will reboot and say Hello on the screen when the update is complete.
Here you are running iOS 8.1. You can see the new iOS 8 features in the slideshow below. Most of the new features work best with OS X Yosemite, iCloud, and the latest version of iCloud for Windows. The process should take between 15 and 45 minutes depending on backup times and download times.
