Photo Booth Fix: Device storage running low

What guests and the attendant see

Guests may see a session that will not start, a 360 video that records but never finishes processing, or a booth that feels slow between sessions.

The attendant sees a storage warning from the booth app or a "Storage Almost Full" alert from iOS. In Settings > General > iPad Storage (or iPhone Storage), the bar is nearly full. On a 360, long processing times and failed recordings are often the first sign.

60-second triage

1. Check the number in Settings > General > iPad Storage between groups.
2. Delete your own setup test shots if they are in the event.
3. Switch recording to 1080p for the rest of the night if it was set to 4K.
4. If the app has stopped recording, swap to the backup device now and free space on the first one off to the side.

Likely causes, ranked

1. Old event media still on the device. Past events were never cleared after backup.
2. 4K recording. 4K files are several times larger; a four-hour 4K 360 event needs 256 GB or more free.
3. Recently Deleted. Photos you delete stay in the Recently Deleted album for up to 30 days, still using space.
4. Other data. Personal apps, downloaded videos, cached app data, or a downloaded iOS update waiting to install.
5. A device that is too small for the booth type and resolution you sell.

The full fix, step by step

1. See what is using space in Settings > General > iPad Storage. Let the list load fully.
2. Offload unused apps from that screen. Offloading removes the app but keeps its documents and data, so it is safe for apps you will reinstall later.
3. Empty Recently Deleted in the Photos app: open the Recently Deleted album and delete all.
4. Delete a downloaded iOS update if one is listed. You will not install it at an event anyway.
5. Clear old event media only if it is verified backed up: three copies (device, working drive, cloud) and five random files opened from the cloud copy. If you cannot confirm that from the venue, leave it alone.
6. Never delete the current event's sessions or anything in the share queue.
7. Restart the booth app and run a test session to confirm it records and processes.

Prevent it next event

• Keep 64 GB free on every event device before it leaves for an event, and check it at T-2.
• Run the T+1 backup routine: export from the device to your working drive, copy to cloud, open five random files, and only then clear the device.
• Clear confirmed-archived media monthly as part of maintenance.
• Record 1080p by default. Use 4K only for premium edit packages, on a device you have tested for heat and space.
• Keep event devices for events only. No personal photo libraries, games or downloaded movies.
• Add storage to the hourly check along with battery, temperature and media count.

When to swap to the backup device

Swap as soon as the app refuses to record or warns that it cannot save. Freeing space with guests in line takes too long and tempts you to delete things you should not.

Mount the backup device with the event loaded and keep shooting. On the first device, clear space safely and keep it connected so its share queue can finish. At T+1, back up both devices before clearing either one, and check that the gallery count matches the combined session count.