AnyTrans

How to Change iPhone Media Sync Options

Run out of storage on iPhone and then unable to update to iOS 13 or make a backup? Don’t get frustrated! Here comes the handy guide to show you how to change media sync options on iPhone and free up iPhone space.

Joy Taylor Last Updated: Dec. 31, 2021

Q: When trying to backup my iPhone 6s using iTunes I get this message: “Updating to iOS 11.2.6 requires at least 930 MB of free space on your iPhone. Please change your media sync options to make more storage available.” That is as far as I get. What does that mean and how do I do it?

— A User from Apple Community

With the coming iOS 15, while expecting the new features on iOS 15, there might also come some troubles. Just like the problem mentioned in the question from an iPhone user that when you try to make a backup before updating to the new iOS 15, you receive a notification that reminds you to change media sync options to make more storage available for update. And then your backup ends.

When encountering this case, you might be confused and frustrated about what actually happens and what should you do with it. Thus, this article can help you out as a handy guide to show you how to change iPhone media sync options to make more storage available for update or backup.

Why You Need to Change Media Sync Options

The message “change your media sync options to make more storage available” would show up when your iPhone is short of storage for updating iOS or making a backup on iTunes. “Change iPhone media sync option” refers to changing the options of data on your iPhone to be synced with iTunes.

One thing you need to know is that, for better usage of the iPhone, you should make sure that it always has a minimum of at least 10% of your iPhone’s total storage. Then what can you do to free up space on your iPhone and how to change media sync options to make more storage available on iPhone? You can follow the below methods to give it a try.

How to Change iPhone Media Sync Options to Make More Storage Available

Plug your iPhone into your computer.
Launch iTunes (it should be the latest version) on the computer.
Click on the Device icon.
Then click the content type you want to stop syncing under Settings.
Check off the box to turn off syncing for this content type.
Click Apply to save your sync settings.

How to Change Media Sync Options on iPhone

Then the data of the category you turned off would be removed from your iPhone. And there would be more free storage on your iPhone now.

If you do not want to erase the whole files of a certain content type to free up space on iPhone, you can give a try to Method 2 in the next part.

How to Manage Storage on iPhone to Make More Storage Available

Besides the way to change iPhone media sync options to make more storage available, there are also some efficient ways to free up space on iPhone.

Method 1. Delete Content Manually via Settings

This method will delete the whole app and its data on your iPhone with no chance to undo. If you seek for a method that can help you selectively and safely delete files, Method 2 would be a nice option for you to have a try.

Open “Settings” on your iPhone.
Tap General, then choose “iPhone Storage”.
Select the app that has the content you would like to delete.
Tap “Delete App”. Then the app and its related data will all be deleted from your iPhone.
How to Free Up Space on iPhone by Deleting Content Manually

Method 2. Manage Storage on iPhone via AnyTrans

To selectively delete your iOS data on your iPhone instead of cleaning all your files of a certain content type or app, you should seek help from some efficient and powerful iOS data manager. And AnyTrans should be the ones to help you out. It is a professional iOS data manager, which can help you free up space on iPhone and manage storage on iPhone simply and orderly with these main features:

AnyTrans – Manage iPhone Storage

Preview and delete iPhone files simply and quickly.
All your data on your iPhone will be kept safe with no leak or loss.
Help you preview and manage files in your iCloud or iTunes backup.
Sync photos and more files from iPhone to computer and vice versa.

Free Download100% Clean & Safe

Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe

Now, get AnyTrans on your Mac or Windows PC, and then follow these steps below to simply manage your iPhone space.

Step 1. Install and launch AnyTrans on your computer > Plug your iPhone into the computer.

Step 2. Enter Device Manager > Go to Category Management Menu > Choose the category of data you want.

Open AnyTrans and Choose Photos

Step 3. Preview and select files you want to delete > Click on the Delete icon on the submenu. You can also send the selected files to the computer as a backup before deleting them.

Select and Delete Files in AnyTrans

The Bottom Line

That’s all about how to change iPhone media sync options and how to free up space on iPhone in 2 methods. You can choose the one that fits you the most. As you can see, by using AnyTrans, you can easily manage your iOS data and backup on iPhone and transfer them to your computer or another iOS device. Have a try to AnyTrans now!