As an iPhone or iPad user, you may have encountered a frustrating situation where you can’t delete apps from your device. Whether it’s a first-party app that you want to remove or a built-in app that seems to be stuck, this issue can be quite perplexing. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why you may face this problem and provide you with ten effective ways to fix it. So, if you find yourself unable to delete apps on your iPhone or iPad, read on to discover the solutions that can help you regain control over your device.
What Apps You Can/Can’t Delete on iPhone and iPad?
Before we delve into the solutions, it’s important to understand the distinction between the apps you can delete and the ones you can’t on your iPhone or iPad. Apple provides a range of pre-installed apps that come with your device, known as first-party apps. These include apps like Messages, Safari, and Photos. While you can delete most first-party apps, some are essential to the functioning of your device and cannot be removed.
List of First-Party Apps You Can Delete on iPhone and iPad
If you’re looking to declutter your home screen or free up storage space, you’ll be pleased to know that you can delete several first-party apps from your iPhone or iPad. These apps, though convenient, may not be essential for everyone. Here is a list of first-party apps you can delete:
- FaceTime
- Files
- GarageBand
- Keynote
- Numbers
- Pages
- iMovie
- iTunes Store
- Podcasts
- Tips
By deleting these apps, you can personalize your device and create a home screen that reflects your preferences and needs.
List of Built-in Apps You Can’t Delete on Your iPhone or iPad
While you have the freedom to delete several first-party apps, there are a few built-in apps that cannot be removed from your iPhone or iPad. These apps are integral to the functioning of your device and ensure a seamless user experience. Here is a list of built-in apps you can’t delete:
- App Store
- Camera
- Clock
- Health
- Messages
- Phone
- Settings
- Wallet
These apps are essential for your device’s operations and cannot be uninstalled. However, you can disable most of them by restricting access or hiding them from your home screen.
Disable App Deletion Restriction
If you’re unable to delete apps on your iPhone or iPad, it’s possible that the app deletion restriction is enabled. To disable this restriction, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your device.
- Tap on “Screen Time” and select “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Scroll down and tap on “iTunes & App Store Purchases.”
- Select “Deleting Apps” and choose “Allow.”
By disabling the app deletion restriction, you should now be able to delete apps from your device without any issues.
Delete Apps from Home Screen and App Library
The introduction of the App Library in iOS 14 provides an additional location for storing and organizing apps on your iPhone or iPad. To delete apps from both the home screen and the App Library, follow these steps:
Delete Apps on Home Screen
- Locate the app you want to delete on your home screen.
- Long-press on the app icon until it begins to jiggle.
- Tap on the small “x” icon in the corner of the app icon.
- Choose “Delete” from the confirmation prompt.
The app will now be deleted from your device, and the space it occupied will be freed up.
Delete Apps on App Library
- Swipe to the rightmost page on your home screen to access the App Library.
- Scroll through the available app categories or use the search bar to locate the app you want to delete.
- Long-press on the app icon until it starts to jiggle.
- Tap on the small “x” icon in the corner of the app icon.
- Select “Delete App” from the confirmation prompt.
Deleting apps from the App Library allows you to remove them from your device while still having the option to reinstall them from the App Store if needed.
Delete Apps Faster on iPhone and iPad
If you’re looking for a quicker way to delete apps from your iPhone or iPad, you can use a gesture that allows you to delete multiple apps at once. Here’s how:
- Long-press on any app on your home screen until the app icons start to jiggle.
- Without lifting your finger, swipe across multiple app icons with another finger.
- Once you’ve selected all the apps you want to delete, tap on the small “x” icon in the corner of any selected app icon.
- Choose “Delete” from the confirmation prompt.
Using this gesture, you can delete multiple apps in one go, saving you valuable time and effort.
Force Restart Your iPhone or iPad
Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve various issues on your iPhone or iPad, including the inability to delete apps. To force restart your device, follow these steps:
- For iPhone 8 and later models: Press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release the volume down button, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
- For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold the volume down button and the side button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
- For iPhone 6s and earlier models: Press and hold the home button and the side (or top) button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
- For iPads with a home button: Press and hold the home button and the top button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
- For iPads without a home button: Press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release the volume down button, then press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.
A force restart can often resolve any temporary glitch that may be preventing you from deleting apps.
Adjust 3D Touch/ Haptic Touch Sensitivity
If you have an iPhone that supports 3D Touch or Haptic Touch, adjusting the sensitivity settings can help resolve issues related to app deletion. Follow these steps to adjust the sensitivity:
- Open the “Settings” app on your device.
- Tap on “Accessibility” and select “Touch.”
- Scroll down and tap on “3D & Haptic Touch” or “Haptic Touch” depending on your device.
- Adjust the sensitivity slider to your desired level.
By fine-tuning the sensitivity settings, you can ensure that your device recognizes your touch gestures accurately, enabling you to delete apps smoothly.
Trying to Delete an App That’s Still Downloading? Cancel Download Instead
If you’re unable to delete an app because it’s still downloading or updating, you’ll need to cancel the download first. Here’s how:
- Locate the app on your home screen or in the App Library.
- Long-press on the app icon until it starts to jiggle.
- Tap on the “x” icon in the corner of the app icon.
- Select “Cancel Download” from the prompt.
Once the download is canceled, you can proceed to delete the app from your device.
Delete Apps from Settings App
If you’re facing persistent issues with deleting apps from your home screen or the App Library, you can resort to deleting them from the Settings app. Here’s how:
- Open the “Settings” app on your device.
- Scroll down and tap on “General.”
- Select “iPhone/iPad Storage” or “Storage.”
- Tap on “See All” to view a list of installed apps.
- Locate the app you want to delete and tap on it.
- Choose “Delete App” from the options provided.
Deleting apps from the Settings app provides an alternative method when the usual deletion methods fail to work.
Update Software
Outdated software can sometimes cause unexpected issues on your iPhone or iPad, including problems with app deletion. To ensure that your device is running the latest software version, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your device.
- Tap on “General” and select “Software Update.”
- If an update is available, tap on “Download and Install.”
Updating your software can resolve any bugs or compatibility issues, allowing you to delete apps without any hindrance.
Sign Out of Apple ID and Sign Back In
Occasionally, signing out of your Apple ID and signing back in can resolve issues related to app deletion. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your device.
- Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
- Scroll down and tap on “Sign Out.”
- Enter your Apple ID password and tap on “Turn Off.”
- Once signed out, tap on “Sign In” and enter your Apple ID credentials.
By signing out and signing back in, you refresh the connection between your device and your Apple ID, potentially resolving any issues that were preventing app deletion.
Reset All Settings
If all else fails, you can try resetting all settings on your iPhone or iPad. This will not erase your data but will reset your device’s settings to their default values. Follow these steps to reset all settings:
- Open the “Settings” app on your device.
- Tap on “General” and select “Reset.”
- Choose “Reset All Settings” and enter your passcode if prompted.
- Confirm your selection by tapping on “Reset All Settings.”
Resetting all settings can eliminate any software-related conflicts or configurations that were interfering with app deletion.
