All iPads How much storage is actually needed for iPad?

[Sensamic]

I'm debating between 128GB or 256GB iPad Pro M2, now discounted. I used to store some videos locally on the device, but now I will use the tablet more for web surfing than anything else.

Still, in a few years maybe 128GB won't be enough? What size do games currently have (like Asphalt 8 or the Simpsons game)? I don't play heavy titles, like Assassin's Creed (I have a PS5 for that), but might play some nice mobile games.

How much storage do you guys have on your iPads and for what use cases?

 

[dumastudetto]

Go for 1TB or 2TB M4 for the 16GB RAM. It really drives new workflows.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Given your stated usage, 128GB would suffice.

 

[shawnforever]

For web browsing, 128 is enough. Particularly if you have a healthy amount of iCloud storage.

Games, you may or may not want more storage. Depends on how many high-resource games you want to play at one time. For example, Call of Duty Mobile with 100% resources downloaded is a portly 31 GB.

 

[ericwn]

128GB is plenty for the use case. I have an iPad mini mostly for consumption purposes and that 64GB storage isn’t half full with just the few apps that I’ll use. I do of course remove apps I won’t use off the storage right away.

 

[redman042]

I upgraded from a 256 GB 2018 Pro to a 512 GB M4 Pro. Main reason was that I occasionally import video clips from my drone or render 30-45 min 4k edited videos from Luma Fusion, and even with 100 GB free on my 256 GB device, and an iCloud account which should allow high res photos and unused apps to be offloaded to the cloud, I’d get hit with “insufficient storage space” errors more often than I’d like. iOS is funny with how it frees up memory (eg not so well). So I figured I’d better go large this time. But many won’t need this. Depends on the use case. There is a general rule of thumb for expensive computer purchases though: go one step up in storage from what you think you’ll need. Because you’ll probably have the device for a long time.

 

[Crow_Servo]

The more storage you get, the more games you can get. I remember having a 64GB Mini 5 and not filling it up, but as soon as I got a newer iPad with 256GB, I downloaded even more games and wouldn’t go back to anything less than 256GB.

 

[MarkC426]

I agree with @Apple_Robert, 128GB should suffice for your use case.
I went from a 32GB iPad Pro (1st gen) to M2 iPad Pro with 128GB.
90% of my usage is content consumption (all cloud based), so large storage is not required.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I can still get by with a 32GB 8th gen iPad. But just barely! 128GB is more than enough for me, and should support plenty of games.
The big caveat is that you're using a paid iCloud plan to offload original picture/video files from the device.

 

[Isamilis]

I thought I need 256gb when I bought m1 few years ago (I downloaded few movies, bring lots of books and academic papers, etc). It turn out after years, I never reach more than 120gb in total. So, 128gb will likely suffice your needs.

 

[Atomic1977]

I have 128gb in my new iPad Air in my past my other iPad had 64 and I got by pretty good for a while .

 

[Zapdoc]

I have 128gb in my new iPad Air in my past my other iPad had 64 and I got by pretty good for a while .

Off topic a bit but Unfortunately despite there being several hundreds of pounds difference between 128 and 256 gb sizes at trade in time this is not reflected in value with difference reduced to 20 or 30 pounds -

 

[svish]

128 GB will be enough for web browsing. That being said, I am happy that I went with 256 for my 2020 iPad Pro. With apps and games increasing in size, I need not worry about running out of space.

 

[tim@ipad]

Go for 1TB or 2TB M4 for the 16GB RAM. It really drives new workflows.

I agree esp since we know now that for Apple Intelligence RAM is a limiting factor. If I would go for the M4, and I’m still very much on the fence, the 16GB Ram 1TB 10 Core M4 is the one to go for

 

[Zapdoc]

I agree esp since we know now that for Apple Intelligence RAM is a limiting factor. If I would go for the M4, and I’m still very much on the fence, the 16GB Ram 1TB 10 Core M4 is the one to go for

Agree that’s the one I eventually went for given the new softwares coming

 

[Isengardtom]

for your use case 128GB is definitely good. Depending on the cost though, could be nice to bump it up to 256GB, but not if that means 200 $ more

 

[doolar]

I just replaced my 2018 iPP with the new M4 one. Went for 256/lowest storage again, I had 64 on my 2018 and it was never a problem. Granted I don’t use my iPad as my only computer, it is still a production workhorse for me, but it is mainly email and data management.

Get what you need, no more no less. And remember it is even easier than before to use external storage, if I ever would need more space for video editing (which I do solely on my MacBook Pro) I’ll just attach an external SSD.

Go for 1TB or 2TB M4 for the 16GB RAM. It really drives new workflows.

This does not make sense at all to me, it is what I would consider bad advise. What does this even mean? What “new workflows” are driven by expanding RAM and storage? If you need the specs, buy the upgrades. If not, just don’t.

 

[JSRinUK]

I’m a low-use user, previously with 64GB on an iPad mini. When looking at a new iPad, I considered the entry level iPad but knew the 64GB was a bit tight for me. The next tier at 256GB would have been plenty but, for roughly the same price, I could get the M1 iPad Pro refurb with 128GB.

I happily sacrificed the 256GB down to 128GB to get a Pro and have not regretted that decision for a moment. But I don’t use my iPad for anything strenuous.

 

[darngooddesign]

FWIW the App Store will display the app sizes.

 

[tim@ipad]

I just replaced my 2018 iPP with the new M4 one. Went for 256/lowest storage again, I had 64 on my 2018 and it was never a problem. Granted I don’t use my iPad as my only computer, it is still a production workhorse for me, but it is mainly email and data management.

Get what you need, no more no less. And remember it is even easier than before to use external storage, if I ever would need more space for video editing (which I do solely on my MacBook Pro) I’ll just attach an external SSD.


This does not make sense at all to me, it is what I would consider bad advise. What does this even mean? What “new workflows” are driven by expanding RAM and storage? If you need the specs, buy the upgrades. If not, just don’t.

Well, I say Apple AI shows what RAM Limitation are ahead. Of course now everything is fine with 8GB Ram, but in 2 years down the road I wouldn’t be that sure anymore. SSD wise I personally say 512 is the one most suitable for most as it is not jut files but Apps that eat up. I have currently 512GB and about 30 are left…

 

[h2ofun]

I am going to use this for streaming live Twitch sporting events. At the same time recording the event in 4K. There will be times it will be used for like 4 days and no way to dump storage easily, so the 2TB means I can record away and not have to worry about storage! I used one ipad where the video filled up and I lost all that I had taken.

We all have such different needs. At my stage in life, I buy the best.

 

[KPOM]

I'm debating between 128GB or 256GB iPad Pro M2, now discounted. I used to store some videos locally on the device, but now I will use the tablet more for web surfing than anything else.

Still, in a few years maybe 128GB won't be enough? What size do games currently have (like Asphalt 8 or the Simpsons game)? I don't play heavy titles, like Assassin's Creed (I have a PS5 for that), but might play some nice mobile games.

How much storage do you guys have on your iPads and for what use cases?

128 GB is fine for your use case. I had 64GB on my M1 Air and didn’t use it all (came close) since I rely on OneDrive.

I have 1TB on my M4 Pro only because I want the nano screen. About 950 GB are going unused.

 

[Sensamic]

Well, I say Apple AI shows what RAM Limitation are ahead. Of course now everything is fine with 8GB Ram, but in 2 years down the road I wouldn’t be that sure anymore. SSD wise I personally say 512 is the one most suitable for most as it is not jut files but Apps that eat up. I have currently 512GB and about 30 are left…

You do realize that when Apple stops updates for any iPad it is for ALL configurations of that model right? Doesn't matter the RAM. When Apple decides to stop updates, it will affect all configurations, and also they NEVER limit software to a RAM configuration of an iPad.

 

[rui no onna]

I'm debating between 128GB or 256GB iPad Pro M2, now discounted. I used to store some videos locally on the device, but now I will use the tablet more for web surfing than anything else.

Still, in a few years maybe 128GB won't be enough? What size do games currently have (like Asphalt 8 or the Simpsons game)? I don't play heavy titles, like Assassin's Creed (I have a PS5 for that), but might play some nice mobile games.

How much storage do you guys have on your iPads and for what use cases?

Figure around 1-10GB per mobile game.

Personally, I'd go 256GB if you plan on having several games on your iPad. On mine, firmware+other occupy 20GB already and I can see that growing with the on-device AI stuff on iPadOS 18.

One of my iPads only has 64GB and I can only keep a couple of smaller games on it (2-4GB). There's definitely more breathing room with 128GB but games can be huge and they've been growing in size.

Also, take the app size listed on the App Store with a grain of salt. For example, Genshin Impact shows 2.68GB on the store but it doesn't tell you that there's another 18GB in-app download required in order to play the game. 🤦‍♀️

I just installed RetroArch on my iPad but haven't really set it up yet. I can see my favorite multi-disc PSX games easily taking up another 20-30GB. Even moreso for PS2.

 

[Greggio]

It’s so easy to get drawn into paying for the next tier… My current iPad has only 32GB and is really struggling ‘cause it’s completely full. I can’t really update the software.

I decided I was going to get a new iPad before the new devices were announced, thinking I should at least get 128GB. My phone has about 90GB and I pay for iCloud storage so that should be enough.

I’ve now decided to get the iPad Pro, so will automatically have at least 256GB. Which should be more than enough for my needs.

But then, I don’t want a lack of storage to limit what I can do with an expensive device. And to have a bit of future proofing. I don’t really game, but if I decided to, the downloads are huge. And the 512GB version has the faster SSD….

So suddenly I’m considering forking out for 512GB. Which is probably way more than I need, but…

TLDR. Coming from 32GB, 256GB should be heaps. But having borne the scars of having not enough storage, I’m in danger of paying for too much.