Installing iPhone apps is about as easy as it gets. And, If you're like me (and the rest of the world), you’ll search high and low to find the apps that simplify (or amplify) life to the fullest.
But, what do you do with the apps that just don’t cut it? These apps and other untapped software take up a heck of a lot of space on your iPhone, lowering performance and slowing down browsing speed. The solution? Get rid of them!
Here’s a quick guide to uninstalling dormant apps and making space for new ones.
How to delete apps on an iPhone?
Deleting apps on your iPhone can be done in a few seconds flat. All you need to do is locate the app on your home screen and hold down on it. All applications will begin shaking with a pop-up appearing asking you to confirm if you would like to “Remove the App.” Select this option and your app is yesterday's news.
Here’s the thing though. When you do this, the app will be removed from your home screen BUT will still show up in your Apple account, and could be readded with new updates or syncing. Below are some steps to delete apps directly from your account.
How to hide apps on an iPhone?
If you're looking to remove an app from your Apple Account you’ll need to first uninstall it from your iPhone (using the above steps). Next, you’ll want to open the App Store and tap on your profile picture, which can be found in the top right of the screen.
In the dropdown, select “Purchased” which will then take you to all apps purchased and/or installed to date. Simply swipe left on any app that you would like to be hidden, and any records of previous downloads will not show up.
You can swipe left and tap “Hide” on any app where you don’t wish to have a record of the app being installed on your device. While this method will hide the app in your Apple account, If you do need to go one step further and delete an app from your purchase history entirely, you’ll need to get in touch with Apple support. If you run into any issues uninstalling/hiding apps on your iPhone, there is some troubleshooting you can do.
Why can't I uninstall apps on my iPhone?
One of the main reasons apps sometimes can't be deleted from your iPhone has to do with the content restrictions. Somewhere along the line, you may have unintentionally restricted your iPhones ability to delete apps. You can solve this using the below steps.
- Navigate to the “Settings” application on your iPhone.
- From there select the “Screen Time” option.
- Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions” and go to “iTunes & App Store Purchases”.
- From there check if the option to “Delete Apps” is locked and unlock it if needed.
If this doesn't work you can also try troubleshooting with the below options.
Power off and reboot your iPhone: Simple yet effective, sometimes all it takes is to power down your phone and restart it.
Uninstall from the App Library: If you’re struggling to remove an app from your home screen, you can try uninstalling it from the App Library. Open your “App Library”, hold down the app and tap the “Delete App.” icon
How do I uninstall and reinstall an app on my iPhone?
To uninstall an app from your iPhone home screen you’ll need to touch and hold down on the app on the Home Screen until you see it starting to shake. From there all you need to do is tap to remove it. Tap to confirm app deletion on the pop up that appears.
The same rule applies when removing an app from your App Library. Navigate to your iPhones App Library. From there tap and hold down on the app you’d like to delete and confirm. You can also uncheck the app’s name under the Applications tab in iTunes.
No problem if you change your mind and want to reinstall the app. Your Apple account will always keep the App’s data backed up and all you’ll need to do is to head back into your App Library and tap the iCloud icon next to the app you’d like to reinstall. A loading circle will appear while the app is reinstalling and will turn green once the app has been synced and is ready to use again.
Is deleting an app the same as uninstalling it on an iPhone?
The main difference between removing and deleting an iPhone app is the data you stand to keep or lose. Deleting an app is permanent where all data will be removed for good. For example, a mobile game’s stored progress will be erased permanently if the app is deleted and the slate will be blank when you choose to reinstall the app at a later stage. The exception to this rule is for apps that come with your iPhone. Regardless of being deleted or not, your iPhone will always keep a history of these “core” applications. Uninstalling or removing an app will move them off of your home screen/App Store, but the data from these apps will be backed up for later if you ever want to reinstall the app.