The function of optimized music storage on iOS and iPadOS is to prevent us from running out of space due to downloading too much music. A very useful setting, but in certain circumstances and above all depending on the size of the device storage we have we may want to disable or modify. Let’s see how to do it.
A function that adapts to the size of our device
Clearly, adjusting the space we occupy on a 64GB iPhone or a 512GB iPad is very different. Therefore, the storage system will offer us options depending on the type of device we are in. On a practical level, the operation of the system is as follows: we can store all the music we want on our device, if at any time there is little space available. will delete the downloaded music keeping a certain amount
We can choose between 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 or 256 always keeping in mind that the maximum size will be half of the storage size of our device. With the optimized storage function activated, our iPhone or iPad will always keep some downloaded music, that of the space we have chosen, and delete the rest. The idea behind this behavior is that music, which is an item that can be easily re-downloaded from Apple Music, is one of the first candidates to be eliminated before other types of information. We repeat, however, as our iPhone or iPad have enough space this function does not come into play
After seeing how it works, let’s talk about how to activate and configure the various options. The steps are as follows, keep in mind that run them individually on all devices that we want:
- We open the app Settings on our iPhone or iPad.
- We entered Song.
- We played on Optimize storage.
- We activate or deactivate Optimize s torage . In the first case, we choose the size that we always want to keep on the device.
And nothing more. When we activate Optimize storage we tell the system that you have permission to delete our music if you run out of space to store other content. At the same time, when we choose the size to keep what we do, it is also informing you that you keep our most listened to music, our lists of favorites, etc. This way we can strike a good balance between freeing up space for other elements and at the same time keeping music a priority for us.
It sounds like a simple system, but the truth is that behind this simplicity we find a very well thought out mechanism which is extremely useful in many circumstances. The important thing here is that we have adjusted it correctly according to our preferences, that the music is never deleted (Optimize storage disabled) or that all music is deleted if necessary (enabled and choosing Nothing in the size to keep). From there, if the need arises, the system will take care of everything.
