How to completely empty the iPhone Trash on iOS 27

# What this guide covers This brief explains the exact places in iOS 27 where deleted items can still use space and how to remove them permanently. Follow these short, specific steps to reclaim storage without third-party tools.

# Use the Files app to empty document Trash Open Files, tap Browse, then open Recently Deleted. Select files you no longer need and choose Delete Permanently. Files in Recently Deleted remain on the device until you remove them here, so this step is necessary after deleting documents.

# Clear the Mail app Trash Open Mail and go to the Trash folder for each account. Select all messages and delete them permanently. Emails with large attachments commonly sit in Trash and take up noticeable space if left there.

# Empty Recently Deleted in media and notes apps Many built-in apps keep a temporary deleted folder:

• Photos: Albums > Recently Deleted > Delete to remove photos/videos permanently.
• Notes: Open Folders, find Recently Deleted and remove notes permanently.
• Voice Memos: Recently Deleted > delete permanently.

Clearing these sections frees the actual storage the deleted items used.

# Remove app caches and large app data Some apps (Spotify, Snapchat, TikTok, etc.) hold sizable caches. Two approaches:

• App settings: Open the app, look for a Clear Cache or Storage option in its settings.
• System view: Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Tap an app to see its storage breakdown and choose Offload App (keeps data) or Delete App (removes app and data). Use this view to find the apps consuming the most space and act accordingly.

# Clear browser data Browsers store history, cookies and caches that add up over time:

• Safari: Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. For per-site control, go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data.
• Chrome: Open Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and clear Browsing Data (cookies, cached images/files, etc.).

Regularly clearing browser data reduces storage use and can improve browsing performance.

# Restart the iPhone to clear temporary system data

# Long-term tips for storage management Run Settings > General > iPhone Storage periodically to spot growing storage users. Use Offload App to remove an app but keep its documents and data. Consider deleting and reinstalling apps with large caches if the app lacks a built-in clear option.

# Where to find the walkthrough video

Follow these steps in sequence: empty app-specific Recently Deleted folders first, clear app and browser caches, then restart your iPhone. That order ensures freed space isn't immediately reoccupied by temporary files.