How To Fix iPhone Storage Says Zero KB Used

iPhone storage says zero KB used got you worried?

Where Apple products provide the coolest features to users, they are also prone to various bugs customers have to deal with until a fix is released. One system glitch that has become widespread is the iPhone storage showing zero KB used. 

Due to this, every time you navigate to the device’s storage, it will show zero KB used, even though there are installed and built-in programs displayed under the breakdown of storage usage by apps.

The error can be caused by factors such as your storage running out. However, in severe cases, it may indicate that the device is corrupted by viruses or multiple system crashes.

If you are experiencing the same issue, don’t fret! We’ll be going into great detail about various solutions you can try to get rid of the problem, so read this guide till the end.

Without further delay, let’s begin!

1. Clear Some Space.

As the error may result from a full storage space, the very first step you should take is to free up space on your iPhone. You can do so by uninstalling applications that are not needed.

Deleting large files, including videos and old message threads, by turning on the auto-deletion is another way to handle the issue. You can also learn How to Clear Other Storage on iPhone.

Furthermore, offload specific apps to delete the application’s program data. Follow the steps below to do so:

  1. Start by opening the Settings app.
  2. Then, go to General and tap iPhone Storage.
iPhone Storage Says Zero KB Used
  1. Now, choose any app you’d want to delete cache and data from and tap on Offload App.
  2. Again, from the pop-up options, select Offload App.
Delete app on iPhone
  1. If you come across an app you no longer use, tap on Delete App to delete it instead.

2. Reboot Your iPhone.

If the iPhone storage says zero KB used only because of the iOS display error, then a simple reboot may solve the problem for you. For this, you need to follow the steps below:

  1. First, launch the Settings app on your device.
  2. Now, go to General.
  3. Scroll down and tap on Shut Down.
iPhone Storage Says Zero KB Used
  1. Then, a slider will appear. You need to drag it all the way to the right in order to shut down your device.
Slide to power off iPhone
  1. Now, wait for a few minutes.
  2. After that, press and hold down the power/side button and let go once the Apple logo appears on the screen.
iPhone reboot

3. Delete iPhone Cache Files.

When applications run for a long time, they generate log files and cache files that are safe to delete if your storage is full. As iPhones do not manage these files regularly, you’ll need to download a third-party app to perform the task for you.

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. To begin, download iPhone Cleaner and install it on your device.
  2. Next, connect your iPhone to a computer and launch the application.
  3. Then, choose the Deep Scan Mode.
  4. Now, go to the System Cleanup tab at the top and click on the Scan button.
iPhone cleaner
  1. The system will then search diagnostic and usage data, download all temp files, and more. Once the scan is completed, click on Remove to discard all the unwanted data.

4. Run An iCloud Backup.

Sometimes, running a backup on your iCloud can correct the storage calculation, thereby eliminating the “iPhone storage says zero KB used” error.

To do so, follow the steps mentioned below:

  1. First, tap on Settings from your home screen.
  2. Then, go to your Apple ID and tap iCloud.
  3. From there, tap on iCloud Backup.
  4. Lastly, tap on Back Up Now and wait for the process to finish.
iPhone Storage Says Zero KB Used

You can check the iPhone storage afterward to see whether the issue has been resolved. If not, continue to the next method.

5. Reset iPhone Settings.

Most of the time, when there’s a problem with the settings, resetting your iPhone to default settings fixes the issue. So if your iPhone storage says zero KB used and none of the above methods worked, this fix will hopefully do the job.

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Open the iPhone’s Settings app.
  2. Then, go to General.
  3. After that, scroll to the bottom and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
iPhone Storage Says Zero KB Used
  1. Now, tap on Reset.
Reset All Settings iPhone
  1. From the pop-up options, select Reset All Settings.
  2. You will then be prompted to enter your passcode to confirm the action.

6. Reset Network Settings.

There are high chances that the iPhone is unable to calculate correct storage use due to some sort of network error. To fix it, you can try resetting the network settings on your device.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. On the Settings app, go to General.
  2. Then, tap on Reset.
  3. Lastly, tap on Reset Network Settings, and if asked, enter your passcode to confirm the action.
Reset Network Settings iPhone

Doing so will reset all saved and current Wi-Fi and cellular networks as well as disconnect you from any VPNs you have connected.

7. Check The Cellular Data Settings.

If resetting network settings had no impact whatsoever in correcting the iPhone storage error, it’s possible that the Settings app may be deactivated from using the cellular data.

To ensure if it’s enabled, follow these simple steps:

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Then, go to Cellular.
  3. Scroll down and check if the Settings app is enabled.
iPhone Storage Says Zero KB Used

8. Re-Login To Your iCloud Account.

If your iCloud account is signed in from multiple devices at once, this may be a reason behind the iPhone storage showing zero KB used. In such a case, log out of your iCloud account on all devices and sign back in after a few minutes.

Below are the steps to log out from your iCloud ID on an iPhone:

  1. To start, launch the Settings app.
  2. Next, tap on your profile at the very top.
  3. Scroll to the bottom and tap Sign Out.
Sign out of Apple ID
  1. From the pop-up options, select Sign Out of iCloud.
  2. Then, enter your passcode and tap on Turn Off.
  3. After a few seconds, tap Sign Out at the top right corner.
  4. Again, to confirm, select Sign Out one last time.

To log out your iCloud account from all devices at once, here’s what you need to do: 

  1. First, open a web browser and head to iCloud.com.
  2. Now, sign in using your iCloud credentials.
  3. Then, click on Account Settings right under your avatar.
iPhone Storage Says Zero KB Used
  1. There will be a list of devices that have access to your iCloud under My Devices. Click on one.
  2. In the new pop–up window, click on the cross icon next to each device you’d like to remove.
iPhone Storage Says Zero KB Used

9. Reset Apple ID Password.

If logging in and out of your iCloud account doesn’t seem to resolve the issue, try resettings the Apple ID password. This method will also log out all your devices running on the same iCloud account. Also, verify your iCloud account by confirming the email.

Follow the steps below to do so:

  1. Start by launching the Settings app.
  2. Then, go to your Apple ID.
  3. Scroll down and tap on Password & Security.
  4. Tap on Change Password.
Change Apple ID Password
  1. Now, type in your current and new password.
  2. Re-enter your new password and tap on Change or Change Password to apply the changes.

Afterward, sign in using your new password to access all features and services.

10. Contact Apple Support.

If none of the above methods are successful in eliminating the iPhone storage error, then your last option is to contact Apple for help. You can either contact them online or head to the nearest Apple store.

That’s it! You’ve made it to the end of our guide on how to fix iPhone storage when it says zero KB used. You can let us know about your experience while solving this issue through the comment section below. We’ll be happy to hear all about it.

If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂

Author

  • Aimen Choudhry

    Aimen Choudhry is an architecture student who has always been fascinated by science. She now finds her therapy researching and writing about the latest technology and the issues that come alongside. Otherwise, you’ll find her playing video games, listening to music, or watching fantasy/sci-fi movies.

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