# Why your iPhone storage didn't change after deleting photos

**Short answer:** deleted photos and videos go to **Recently Deleted** and keep using space for **30 days**. Open **Photos › Collections › Utilities › Recently Deleted** (on iOS 18: Albums › Utilities), unlock with Face ID, tap **Select › Delete All**. The space comes back within minutes (restart if "System Data" stays high).

## Steps
1. Open **Photos** and scroll to **Utilities › Recently Deleted**.
2. Unlock with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.
3. Tap **Select**, then **Delete All**, and confirm.
4. Check **Settings › General › iPhone Storage** after a few minutes.

## FAQ
### Can I recover photos after emptying Recently Deleted?
No. Make sure everything there can go before you empty it.

### Does Spaceclear empty Recently Deleted for me?
No app can: iOS reserves that for you. Spaceclear reminds you after each cleanup, because it's the step that actually frees the space.