Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max storage is full or the device cannot install updates

The iPhone 13 Pro Max came in 128, 256, 512 GB and 1 TB sizes, and the 128 GB model fills quickly because the phone records ProRes video, 4K 60 and 12 MP photos in a high-efficiency format. Apple's page for checking storage points to Settings, General, iPhone Storage, which lists apps by size and recommends actions. Photos and videos usually dominate, and Apple's photo and video storage page explains iCloud Photos with Optimize iPhone Storage, which keeps the full-resolution originals in iCloud and smaller versions on the phone. ProRes recording in particular uses a very large amount of space per minute, so use it only when needed. Check Messages for large attachments, Downloaded videos in streaming apps, and the Recently Deleted album, which keeps photos for thirty days.

Offload unused apps to keep their data. System Data can be large; a restart and an update help. Avoid letting the phone drop below a few gigabytes free, since the camera and updates need room. If you need to keep ProRes footage, move finished clips to a computer or an external drive with the Files app, which saves the phone's space and keeps a copy. Apple devices keep some storage in reserve for the system, so the usable figure is always lower than the label, and a 128 GB phone often shows about 110 GB free when new. Compare the figure in Storage with what you expect before assuming something is wrong, and aim to keep at least ten percent free.