SellUsediPhoneFast · Safe · Simple
Check an iPhone's storage capacity in Settings > General > About, where the Capacity line shows the phone's total storage as a rounded figure, such as 256 GB, and the Available line shows the free space left. The Capacity figure is lower than the advertised size, for example about 238 GB on a 256GB phone, because formatting and the iOS system software use part of the storage. Choose the advertised size, such as 256GB, in a quote. Storage is one of the largest factors in an iPhone's resale value. Does Storage Size Change What You Get to Sell an iPhone? explains how storage affects price.
- Total capacity: Settings > General > About > Capacity.
- Space used: Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Quote answer: the advertised size, such as 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB.
- Why it matters: higher storage versions earn higher offers.
Where is total capacity shown?
Total capacity is shown in 3 places:
| Location | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Settings > General > About > Capacity | Total usable capacity, such as 119 GB on a 128GB phone |
| Settings > General > iPhone Storage | A bar showing used space out of total, such as 45 GB of 128 GB used |
| Original box label | The advertised size, such as 256GB |
A Mac's Finder or the Apple Devices app on Windows also shows capacity when the iPhone is connected. The advertised size is the one to use when selling.
What is the difference between capacity and available space?
Capacity is the total storage on the phone, and available space is the part not yet used. The table compares the 3 figures a seller sees.
| Figure | Example on a 256GB iPhone | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Advertised size | 256GB | The size Apple sold the phone as |
| Capacity in Settings | About 238 GB | Usable space after formatting and system files |
| Available in Settings | For example, 180 GB | Free space left after apps, photos and data |
The gap between advertised size and Capacity comes from formatting and the space reserved for iOS and its system files, which Apple notes in its storage documentation. Available space returns to nearly the full capacity after the phone is erased.
Why does storage matter when selling?
Storage matters when selling because higher storage versions cost more new and stay in higher demand used, so they earn higher offers for the same model and condition. The difference is usually larger on Pro and Pro Max models, where 1TB and 2TB versions exist. Choosing the wrong storage in the quote leads to a revised offer after testing. Three points apply:
- Choose the advertised size from the box or Settings, not the Capacity figure.
- Storage cannot be upgraded on an iPhone, so the size is fixed for the phone's life.
- Used space does not affect the offer, because the phone is erased before resale.
Which storage options does each model have?
Storage options differ by model. The table lists the sizes for every commonly accepted model.
| Model | Storage options |
|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| iPhone 17e | 256GB, 512GB |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| iPhone 17 | 256GB, 512GB |
| iPhone 16e | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro Max | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 15, 15 Plus | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| iPhone 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 13, 13 mini | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| iPhone 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| iPhone 12, 12 mini, 11, SE 2nd and 3rd generation | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| iPhone 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max | 64GB, 256GB, 512GB |
A quote form shows only the sizes the chosen model was sold in. iPhone Specs by Model: Check Before You Sell lists every model's specifications.
How do I check storage on a phone that does not turn on?
Check storage on a phone that does not turn on from the original box label, the purchase receipt or the carrier account's device record. The Apple Account's device list at account.apple.com shows the model but not always the storage. When the storage is unknown, choose the most likely size in the quote, and testing confirms it if the phone can be read.
How do I check storage on a phone with a broken screen?
Check storage on a phone with a broken screen by connecting it to a Mac or Windows PC it already trusts, where Finder or the Apple Devices app shows the capacity. Voice Control can also open Settings > General > About on a phone with a working touch layer that is hard to see. The box label is another source.
Does full storage affect the offer?
Full storage does not affect the offer, because the phone is erased before resale and used space does not change its value. A phone with nearly full storage may run slowly or fail to install updates, but erasing restores the free space. Back up the phone before erasing so no data is lost.
What does "Other" or "System Data" in storage mean?
System Data, shown in Settings > General > iPhone Storage, includes caches, logs and temporary files used by iOS and apps. It can grow to several gigabytes. Erasing the phone clears it, so it has no effect on a sale. It only matters while the phone is in use, when a large System Data figure can leave less room for photos and apps.
How do I free up storage before backing up?
Free up storage before backing up in 4 steps: offload unused apps in Settings > General > iPhone Storage, delete large videos already saved elsewhere, empty the Recently Deleted album in Photos and clear old message attachments. A smaller backup uploads faster to iCloud and fits a smaller iCloud plan. How to Back Up Your iPhone Before You Sell It covers backups.
Can iPhone storage be upgraded?
iPhone storage cannot be upgraded, because the flash storage is soldered to the logic board. The size bought is the size for the phone's life. Buyers who need more space choose a higher storage version, which is why 512GB, 1TB and 2TB phones keep strong resale demand among photographers and video creators.
Is a 64GB iPhone still worth selling?
A 64GB iPhone, such as an iPhone 11, iPhone 12 or iPhone SE, is still worth selling when it runs current iOS, because buyers looking for a low-cost phone accept the smaller storage. Its offer is lower than larger versions of the same model. Is My Old iPhone Worth Anything? Selling Older Models covers older models.
How much usable space does each size show?
Usable space varies slightly by model and iOS version, because the system software size changes with each release. The table shows typical ranges.
| Advertised size | Typical Capacity line |
|---|---|
| 64GB | About 59–60 GB |
| 128GB | About 119–120 GB |
| 256GB | About 238–240 GB |
| 512GB | About 476–480 GB |
| 1TB | About 950–960 GB |
These ranges are approximate. Pick the advertised size closest above the Capacity figure, and the result is correct.
How does storage change the price compared with condition?
Storage and condition both change the price, and they work independently. A step up in storage, such as 256GB to 512GB, adds a model-specific amount. A step down in cosmetic grade, such as Like New to Good, subtracts an amount. A Good 512GB phone can earn more than a Like New 128GB phone of the same model. The quote combines both. iPhone Condition Grades When You Sell: Like New to Damaged explains grades.
What if I chose the wrong storage in my quote?
When the wrong storage was chosen in a quote, testing reads the true capacity and the offer is adjusted. A lower actual size leads to a revised offer, which can be accepted or declined for a free return. Check the Capacity line before requesting the quote to avoid the revision. Revised Offer Explained: What Happens If My iPhone Differs explains the process.
Does iCloud storage count toward the phone's storage?
iCloud storage does not count toward the phone's storage. iCloud is online storage tied to the Apple Account, and it stays with the account after the phone is sold. Only the phone's built-in storage affects its resale value.
Which storage size sells best?
Mid-range storage sizes, such as 256GB, tend to have the widest buyer demand, because they suit most users. The largest sizes earn the highest offers in dollars, and the smallest sizes appeal to buyers on a budget.
How do I check storage in Finder or the Apple Devices app?
Check storage on a computer in 3 steps: connect the iPhone with a cable, open Finder on a Mac or the Apple Devices app on Windows, and select the iPhone in the sidebar. The summary screen shows the model, capacity, serial number and a bar of used and free space. Tap Trust on the iPhone if the computer asks for permission the first time.
Does storage affect how fast the phone sells?
Storage does not change how fast a buyback pays, because every phone follows the same timeline: inspection within 1–2 business days of arrival and payment 1–2 business days after testing. In private sales, popular sizes such as 256GB tend to find buyers sooner than rare sizes.
Which storage size should I buy next time?
Choosing a larger size next time can raise the phone's future resale value, because higher storage versions keep stronger demand. Buyers who shoot 4K video or keep large photo libraries on the phone benefit most. The extra cost at purchase is partly recovered when the phone is sold.
Does the storage chip affect testing?
Testing reads the storage capacity from the phone's identifiers and confirms the phone can be erased and restored normally. A phone whose storage fails during a restore is graded with a logic board fault.
Is storage shown in the part number?
Storage is encoded in the part number on the Model Number line and the box label, but the code does not show the size directly. The Capacity line and the box's printed size are the easier sources to read when selling.
Does erasing change the Capacity line?
Erasing does not change the Capacity line, which stays fixed for the phone. It frees the Available space back to nearly the full capacity.
Frequently asked questions about iPhone storage capacity
How do I find out how much storage my iPhone has?
Open Settings > General > About and read the Capacity line, which shows total usable storage, such as about 238 GB on a 256GB phone. Settings > General > iPhone Storage shows how much is used. Use the advertised size, such as 256GB, from the box or the nearest standard size when selling.
Why does my 128GB iPhone show less than 128 GB?
A 128GB iPhone shows less, often about 119 GB, because formatting and the iOS system software use part of the storage before any apps or photos are added. The phone is still the 128GB version for selling purposes. Settings > General > About shows the Capacity line on every current iPhone.
Does storage size affect iPhone resale value?
Storage size affects resale value, because higher storage versions cost more new and stay in higher demand used. The difference is usually largest on Pro and Pro Max models with 1TB and 2TB options. Used space does not matter, because every phone is erased before resale. Choose the advertised size, not the smaller Capacity figure, in a quote form.
Which storage should I choose when selling my iPhone?
Choose the advertised size the phone was sold in, such as 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB, not the smaller Capacity figure in Settings. The box label shows it, and the Capacity line in Settings > General > About points to the nearest standard size. Testing confirms it on arrival.
Can I upgrade my iPhone's storage before selling?
iPhone storage cannot be upgraded, because the flash storage is soldered to the logic board. The size is fixed for the phone's life. Freeing space before a backup helps the backup finish faster, but the phone's storage version, and therefore its offer, stays the same. The original box label also lists the advertised size.
Sources and references
- Apple Support: how to check the storage on your iPhone.
- Apple Support: how iOS and iPadOS calculate storage capacity on your device.
- Apple: iPhone technical specifications by model.