To free up Apple Watch storage, open Settings > General > Storage directly on your watch to see exactly what is using space. The three documented methods for freeing storage are deleting apps you do not need, removing synced music, and reducing synced photos.
Understanding Apple Watch storage
Apple Watch models come with different storage capacities, ranging from 8GB to 32GB. A portion of this storage is already occupied by the watchOS operating system and pre-installed apps.
Delete apps you no longer need
Removing unused apps is the fastest way to reclaim space. You can delete apps directly on the watch or manage them from your iPhone.
On the Apple Watch (watchOS 9.4 or later):
- Press the Digital Crown to see your apps, then swipe up to view all apps.
- Touch and hold the display until the apps jiggle.
- Tap the app you want to remove, then tap Delete App to confirm.
Not all built-in apps can be removed. Apps that cannot be deleted do not show a delete button.
On the iPhone Watch app:
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap My Watch > Apps.
- Tap the app you want to manage, then turn off Show App on Apple Watch.
For apps that are only available on watchOS, tap Delete app on Apple Watch, then tap Delete. If an app is removed from your iPhone, it is also deleted from your Apple Watch automatically.
Managing and Deleting Apps
Apple Watch apps often have companion apps on the iPhone, which offer additional functionality and customization options. In some cases, these companion apps may still be installed on your iPhone, even if the corresponding Apple Watch app has been deleted. To ensure a thorough cleaning of your device, it is recommended to review and delete unnecessary companion apps on your iPhone as well.
Remove synced music and podcasts
Music and podcasts synced to your Apple Watch can take up significant storage. Apple documents removing synced music as a way to free up space, though the exact menu path for deleting music or podcasts from the watch is not detailed on the official storage pages. Check your synced content in the Music and Podcasts sections of the Watch app on your iPhone and remove any playlists, albums, or episodes you no longer need to reclaim storage.
Reduce synced photos
Photos synced to your Apple Watch can consume a large amount of space. You can control which album syncs and how many photos are stored.
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Go to My Watch > Photos.
- Under Sync Album, choose a smaller album or select None to stop syncing photos entirely.
- Under Photos Limit, lower the number to limit how many photos are stored on the watch.
The number of photos stored depends on available space. You can check your photo count in Settings > General > About on the watch, or in Watch app > My Watch > General > About on your iPhone. Photo storage usage also appears in Settings > General > Storage on the watch.
Optimizing Photos and Faces
Certain dynamic and animated watch faces can consume more storage than static ones. If storage is a concern for you, consider opting for simpler watch faces that require less storage space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I check my Apple Watch storage?
On your Apple Watch, go to Settings > General > Storage. On your iPhone, open the Watch app, then tap My Watch > General > Storage. Both views show total storage used, remaining space, and how much each app uses.
Will deleting an app from my Apple Watch remove it from my iPhone?
No. Deleting an app from your Apple Watch does not remove it from your paired iPhone. However, if you delete an app from your iPhone, it is also removed from your Apple Watch.
Can I delete built-in Apple Watch apps?
Some built-in apps can be deleted directly on the watch if it is running watchOS 9.4 or later. Apps that cannot be deleted do not show a delete button when the icons jiggle.
How do I stop photos from syncing to my Apple Watch?
Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to My Watch > Photos, then set Sync Album to None. This stops all photo syncing and frees up the storage those photos were using.
Does clearing messages or emails free up storage on Apple Watch?
Apple's official storage documentation does not list deleting messages or emails as a storage-management step. The documented methods for freeing space are removing apps, music, and synced photos.
Can I expand the storage capacity of my Apple Watch?
No, unfortunately, it is not possible to expand the storage capacity of an Apple Watch. The storage capacity is fixed based on the model you purchase.
What takes up storage on my Apple Watch?
There are several things that can take up storage on your Apple Watch, including: Apps and app data, Music and podcasts, Photos and watch faces, System software and updates.
Is it possible to store music on my Apple Watch?
Yes, you can store music on your Apple Watch. First, make sure the music you want to sync is downloaded to your iPhone. Then, follow these steps: 1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. 2. Tap on the 'My Watch' tab at the bottom of the screen. 3. Scroll down and tap on 'Music'. 4. Choose the music you want to sync by selecting playlists, albums, or individual songs. 5. Tap on 'Add Music' to sync the selected music to your Apple Watch.
For the wider topic, see freeing up phone storage space.
