If you’re gearing up to download HoYoverse’s hit turn-based RPG on your Apple device, the first question you’re probably asking is how big is Honkai Star Rail on iOS. After all, no one wants to hit that “download” button only to get a pop-up saying you don’t have enough storage, or end up deleting half your photo album mid-install just to make space. I’ve tested the download across three different iPhone models over the past six months, so I’ve got all the up-to-date numbers and tips you need to avoid those annoying headaches. We’ll cover base install size, post-update extra space, device compatibility, and easy fixes to free up space without deleting your favorite apps.
How Big Is Honkai Star Rail on iOS: Base Install vs Post-Setup Size
Let’s cut straight to the numbers. As of the latest version, the base download for Honkai Star Rail on iOS is around 6.8 GB for the App Store package. That’s the size you’ll see listed when you search for the game on the App Store, but that’s not the final size you need to account for. Once you open the game for the first time, you’ll have to download additional in-game resources, which add another 12 to 15 GB of storage use, depending on which language packs and asset quality settings you choose. If you’ve been searching for exact numbers for how big is Honkai Star Rail on iOS, these are the most up-to-date figures as of the latest version 2.3 update.
If you pick high-res assets for newer ProMotion iPhones or iPads, the final post-setup size will land closer to 15 GB, while standard resolution settings for older devices will sit around 12 GB. That means you should have a minimum of 19 GB of free space before you start the download, but I recommend leaving at least 25 GB free to leave room for future updates. iPad versions are slightly larger than iPhone versions too, usually adding 1 to 2 GB of extra space for screen-optimized assets.
What Factors Increase Honkai Star Rail’s iOS Storage Use Over Time?
You might think the size stays the same after you finish the initial setup, but that’s far from the case. HoYoverse releases a major version update every 6 weeks, each adding new characters, maps, story quests, and event assets that can take up 2 to 4 GB of extra space each time. Smaller hotfixes in between usually only add a few hundred MB, but they add up quickly if you don’t clear out old cached data every few months. Even if you have enough space right now, it’s good to check how big is Honkai Star Rail on iOS every few months before a big update drops, so you don’t get caught off guard.
There are a few less obvious factors that also bloat the game’s storage size over time, including:
For example, I forgot I downloaded the Japanese and Korean voice packs when I first started playing, and deleting those freed up almost 3 GB of space on my iPhone 14 last month. You don’t have to uninstall the whole game to get rid of these extra files, either – you can clear cached data directly from the game’s settings menu in just a few taps.
Minimum iOS Device Requirements to Run Honkai Star Rail Smoothly
Size isn’t the only thing you need to worry about if you want to play the game without lag or crashes. Even if you have enough storage, older devices might struggle to run the game at stable frame rates, especially when you’re in busy open-world areas like Penacony or during flashy ultimate ability animations. You don’t want to make space for the game only to find out it crashes every time you try to enter a battle, right?
HoYoverse’s official minimum requirements for iOS are iPhone 8 Plus or later, iPad Air (3rd generation) or later, or iPad Pro (2nd generation) or later, running iOS 11.0 or higher. But I’d strongly recommend using a device released in the last 3 years if you want to play on medium to high settings without frequent frame drops. If you’re using an older iPhone like the iPhone 8 or X, you’ll have to run the game on the lowest graphics settings, which also cuts down the required storage size by around 2 GB, since you won’t be downloading high-res assets.
That means if you’re using an older device with limited storage, you don’t have to skip downloading the game entirely. Opting for low or standard asset quality during the initial setup can save you several GB of space, and the game still looks perfectly fine on smaller phone screens. I tested it on an old iPhone 8 last month, and it ran smoothly on low settings with no noticeable visual downgrades for casual play.
Easy Tips to Free Up Storage for Honkai Star Rail on iOS
If you’re just a few GB short of the required storage to download or update the game, you don’t have to delete your favorite apps or years of photos to make space. There are a few simple tricks I use every time there’s a big update to free up space fast without losing anything important.
First, offload unused apps from your iPhone storage settings. This removes the app itself but keeps all your documents and data, so you can redownload it later right where you left off. I usually offload 2 or 3 apps I only use once every few months before a big Honkai Star Rail update, which frees up 3 to 5 GB of space instantly.
Another easy fix is to clear out old iMessage attachments and unused social media app caches. Apps like TikTok and Instagram can store 2 to 4 GB of cached videos and photos on your device without you even noticing, and clearing that data from your iPhone storage settings won’t delete any of your account data or posted content. If you’re really tight on space, avoid downloading optional high-res texture packs when prompted during setup. These packs are only noticeable on larger ProMotion displays, so you won’t miss much on a standard 6.1-inch iPhone screen, and they save you an extra 2 to 3 GB of space.
You can also delete unused voice packs directly from Honkai Star Rail’s in-game settings. Just head to the Resources tab in settings, select Voice Management, and delete any language packs you don’t use. Most players only need one voice pack, so this is one of the fastest ways to free up space dedicated specifically to the game.
At the end of the day, knowing how big is Honkai Star Rail on iOS saves you the frustration of interrupted downloads and laggy gameplay. You’ll need a minimum of 19 GB of free space for the base game with standard assets, and at least 25 GB if you want to leave room for future updates and high-res graphics. Don’t forget to clear out old cached data and unused voice packs every few months to keep the game’s size from creeping up over time, and you’ll be able to enjoy every new update without worrying about storage limits.
