Is 64Gb Ipad Air Enough For Procreate? | Storage Smarts Unveiled

Understanding Storage Needs for Procreate on iPad Air

Procreate is a powerful digital art app that artists and designers adore for its versatility and ease of use. But when it comes to choosing the right iPad Air, storage size is a critical factor. The 64GB version of the iPad Air often sparks debate among creatives who wonder if it’s enough to handle Procreate’s demands without running into space issues.

The reality is, storage isn’t just about the app itself. Procreate files can vary wildly in size depending on canvas resolution, layers, and the complexity of the artwork. A simple sketch might only take a few megabytes, while detailed illustrations with dozens of layers can balloon into hundreds of megabytes or even gigabytes.

On top of that, the operating system (iPadOS), other apps, photos, videos, and system caches consume a chunk of that 64GB. Realistically, the user ends up with roughly 50GB or less available for apps and files. This makes proper storage management essential if you want smooth performance and space to grow your digital portfolio.

How Much Space Does Procreate Actually Use?

Procreate itself is not a massive app; it weighs in around 300-400 MB when installed. However, the real storage concern lies in the artwork files you create. These files are saved as .procreate documents and their size depends heavily on:

• Canvas dimensions: Larger canvases mean more pixels to store.
• Number of layers: Each layer adds data that increases file size.
• Use of high-resolution brushes and textures: These elements add complexity.

For example, a standard A4-sized canvas at 300 DPI with about 10 layers might be around 50-100 MB per file. But if you’re working on ultra-high resolution projects with dozens of layers, each file can easily reach over 500 MB or more.

Artists who produce multiple projects simultaneously will find their storage filling up quickly. Saving multiple iterations or backups compounds this issue further.

Typical File Size Ranges for Procreate Projects

Project Type	Canvas Size & Resolution	Approximate File Size
Simple Sketch	2048 x 1536 px @ 72 DPI	5 – 15 MB
Standard Illustration	A4 @ 300 DPI (3508 x 2480 px)	50 – 100 MB
Complex Artwork	A3+ @ 600 DPI (7016 x 4960 px)	300 – 700 MB+

The Impact of Other Apps and System Storage on Your Space

It’s easy to forget that your iPad Air houses more than just Procreate files. The operating system itself typically uses around 10-15 GB on a fresh install. Then there are other crucial apps—photo editors, social media tools, cloud services—that eat into your remaining space.

Photos and videos often gobble up gigabytes without much notice. If you shoot in high resolution or keep lots of media stored locally rather than in the cloud, your available storage shrinks fast.

System cache files and temporary data from apps add another layer that’s hard to track but important to consider. Over time, these caches accumulate unless cleared regularly.

All these factors combined mean that even though you start with “64GB,” your real usable space might hover closer to half that amount after accounting for everything else.

Storage Breakdown Example on a Typical iPad Air (64GB)

Category	Approximate Storage Used	Description
iPadOS System Files	12 GB	The core operating system and essential utilities.
Built-in Apps & Updates	3 GB	Native apps like Safari, Mail plus updates.
User Installed Apps (excluding Procreate)	10 GB	Your favorite apps aside from Procreate.
User Media (Photos/Videos)	15 GB+	Your photo library and video collection.
Available Space for Procreate & Files	~24 GB	Varies depending on usage habits.

Tips for Managing Storage When Using Procreate on a 64GB iPad Air

If you’re set on using the 64GB iPad Air with Procreate, smart management goes a long way toward avoiding headaches:

• Create smaller canvases: Work with dimensions tailored to your output needs instead of maxing out resolution by default.
• Migrate completed projects: Transfer finished artworks off-device regularly using cloud services like iCloud Drive or Dropbox.
• Purge unnecessary layers: Flatten or merge layers when possible to reduce file sizes without sacrificing quality.
• Avoid hoarding unused brushes/textures: Keep only essentials installed in Procreate to save app cache space.
• Edit photos and videos elsewhere: Use dedicated apps or desktop software before importing media into your iPad collection.
• Monitor storage settings: Check Settings> General> iPad Storage frequently to see what’s taking up room and clear caches when needed.
• Create backups then delete old versions: Keep archives externally so you don’t overload internal memory with multiple project versions.
• Avoid storing large video exports locally: Upload directly to cloud platforms or transfer via computer instead.
• Tighten app permissions: Disable auto-downloads or background refresh for non-essential apps consuming bandwidth/storage silently.
• Cull duplicate photos/videos: Regularly clean your media library using built-in tools or third-party cleaners designed for iOS devices.

The Role of Cloud Storage in Extending Your Capacity

Cloud storage platforms have become indispensable allies for anyone working within limited device capacities. Services like Apple’s iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox allow seamless offloading of large files while keeping them accessible whenever needed.

Using cloud syncing means you can keep only active projects locally while archiving older ones online. Many artists maintain two workflows: one local workspace optimized for speed and performance inside Procreate plus an online archive holding completed pieces.

This hybrid approach lets a modestly sized device like the 64GB iPad Air punch above its weight by effectively multiplying available space without physical upgrades.

The Pros and Cons of Relying on Cloud Storage With Procreate Files:

Advantages	Description
Eases local storage pressure	Keeps bulky files off-device while accessible anytime via internet connection.
Makes collaboration easier	You can share links or folders instantly without emailing large attachments.
Keeps backups safe from hardware failure	Your work stays protected even if device is lost or damaged.
Adds dependency on internet speed/reliability	No connection means no access; syncing delays possible during slow networks.
Potential privacy/security concerns if not properly managed	Sensitive artwork could be exposed if accounts get hacked or misconfigured permissions exist .
Requires subscription fees beyond free tiers	Large storage plans cost monthly/annual fees , increasing overall expenses .
May introduce workflow interruptions due to sync conflicts	Simultaneous edits across devices risk overwriting changes unless carefully managed .

The Performance Factor: Does Storage Affect How Well Procreate Runs?

Performance isn’t just about raw power; available free space plays an important role too. When an iPad’s internal storage nears full capacity (below roughly 10-15% free), system responsiveness can degrade noticeably across all apps including Procreate.

This happens because:

• The operating system needs room for temporary files during operations like rendering brush strokes smoothly or exporting images;
• Caches fill up faster leaving less breathing room;
• The device may throttle background processes to conserve resources;
• Lack of free space increases fragmentation making file access slower;

.

Procreate users should aim to keep at least several gigabytes free at all times — this helps maintain fluid brush strokes without lagging delays during complex tasks involving many layers or effects.

After examining all factors — file sizes, system requirements, additional app usage, cloud options, performance implications — the answer is nuanced but clear: yes, 64GB iPad Air is enough for most casual users who create moderately sized artworks and actively manage their storage well.

For hobbyists sketching regularly but not producing massive layered masterpieces daily? It’s a solid choice offering portability without breaking the bank.

However, if your workflow involves ultra-high resolution canvases, numerous iterations saved locally simultaneously, extensive media libraries stored directly on-device alongside other heavy apps — then upgrading to at least the 256GB model becomes highly advisable.

Properly leveraging cloud services combined with disciplined file maintenance will stretch that limited space far further than expected but cannot fully replace having ample native capacity when juggling professional-grade projects day after day.

In short: weigh your typical project scale against how much effort you want to spend managing storage constantly before deciding whether the base model suffices for your creative ambitions using Procreate on an iPad Air.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 64GB iPad Air enough for Procreate casual use?

The 64GB iPad Air can comfortably handle Procreate for casual or moderate use. Simple sketches and smaller projects won’t take up much space, allowing you to create without frequent storage concerns. Just keep an eye on your available storage as other apps and system files also use space.

Can a 64GB iPad Air support large Procreate projects?

While the 64GB iPad Air can run Procreate, very large or complex projects with many layers and high resolutions may quickly consume storage. Heavy users might find space limiting, especially when saving multiple iterations or backups of detailed artwork.

How does the 64GB storage affect Procreate file management?

With only about 50GB free after system files, managing your Procreate files on a 64GB iPad Air is essential. Regularly deleting unused projects and backing up artwork externally helps maintain smooth performance and prevents running out of space during creative work.

Will installing Procreate on a 64GB iPad Air limit my storage?

Procreate itself is relatively small, around 300-400 MB, so the app won’t significantly reduce your storage. However, the artwork files you create can be large, so storage limits come from saved projects rather than the app installation.

Is upgrading from 64GB worth it for Procreate users?

If you frequently work on high-resolution or complex artworks in Procreate, upgrading to an iPad Air with more than 64GB is advisable. Extra storage allows more freedom for large files and multiple projects without constant worry about running out of space.