As an iPhone user, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to delete apps from your device. Whether it’s to free up storage space or simply declutter your home screen, knowing how to delete apps on your iPhone is a valuable skill. In this article, I will guide you through the process of deleting apps on different versions of iOS, as well as provide tips on re-downloading deleted apps and preventing accidental app deletions.
Which Built-in Apps Can You Delete on iPhone?
While the iPhone comes pre-installed with a range of built-in apps, not all of them can be deleted. Apple has designated certain apps as essential and does not allow users to remove them from their devices. These built-in apps include Phone, Messages, Safari, Camera, Clock, Settings, and others. However, starting from iOS 10, Apple introduced the ability to remove some of the pre-installed apps, such as Stocks, Weather, and Mail. If you find that you don’t use these apps and want to free up some space, you can delete them as well.
Delete Apps on iPhone Running iOS 14 and iOS 15
If you are running iOS 14 or iOS 15 on your iPhone, deleting apps is a straightforward process. You can follow these steps:
- Locate the app you want to delete on your home screen.
- Long-press on the app icon until the menu options appear.
- Tap on the “Remove App” option.
- A pop-up menu will appear, giving you the option to “Delete App” or “Move to App Library.”
- If you choose to “Delete App,” confirm your decision by tapping on “Delete” again.
By following these steps, you can easily delete any app from your iPhone running iOS 14 or iOS 15. Remember that deleting an app will also remove all associated data, so make sure to back up any important information before proceeding.
Delete Apps on iPhone Running iOS 13
If your iPhone is still running iOS 13, the process of deleting apps is slightly different. Here’s what you need to do:
- Locate the app you want to delete on your home screen.
- Long-press on the app icon until it starts jiggling.
- Tap on the “x” icon that appears on the top-left corner of the app.
- A pop-up menu will appear, asking you to confirm the deletion.
- Tap on “Delete” to remove the app from your iPhone.
Deleting apps on iOS 13 is as simple as that. Just remember that the app and its associated data will be permanently removed from your device.
Uninstall Apps in iOS 12 or Earlier
If you are using an older version of iOS, such as iOS 12 or earlier, the process of uninstalling apps is slightly different. Here’s how you can do it:
- Locate the app you want to delete on your home screen.
- Long-press on the app icon until it starts jiggling.
- Tap on the “x” icon that appears on the top-left corner of the app.
- A pop-up menu will appear, asking you to confirm the deletion.
- Tap on “Delete” to remove the app from your iPhone.
It’s worth noting that the exact steps may vary slightly depending on the version of iOS you are using. However, the general process remains the same.
Delete iPhone Apps from Settings
In addition to deleting apps directly from the home screen, you can also remove apps from your iPhone using the Settings app. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “General.”
- Select “iPhone Storage” or “Storage & iCloud Usage,” depending on your iOS version.
- Tap on “Manage Storage” or “Manage Storage under Storage.”
- You will see a list of all the installed apps on your iPhone. Tap on the app you want to delete.
- On the next screen, tap on “Delete App” to remove it from your device.
Deleting apps from the Settings app gives you an overview of the storage space used by each app, allowing you to make informed decisions about which apps to delete.
Offload Apps from iPhone
If you’re looking to free up storage space on your iPhone without permanently deleting apps, you can offload them instead. Offloading apps allows you to remove the app itself while keeping its documents and data intact. Here’s how you can offload apps on your iPhone:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “General.”
- Select “iPhone Storage” or “Storage & iCloud Usage,” depending on your iOS version.
- Tap on “Offload Unused Apps” or “Offload App” next to the app you want to offload.
- Confirm your decision by tapping on “Offload App” in the pop-up menu.
By offloading unused apps, you can free up valuable storage space without losing any important data associated with the app.
How to Re-Download Deleted Apps on Your iPhone
If you change your mind and want to re-download an app that you previously deleted, you can easily do so from the App Store. Here’s how:
- Open the App Store on your iPhone.
- Tap on your profile picture or the “Today” tab at the bottom.
- Tap on your profile picture again at the top.
- Scroll down and select “Purchased.”
- You will see a list of all the apps you have previously downloaded. Find the app you want to re-download and tap on the cloud icon next to it.
Re-downloading deleted apps is a straightforward process, and you can access all your previously downloaded apps in the “Purchased” section of the App Store.
Stop Anyone from Deleting Apps on Your iPhone
If you share your iPhone with others or want to prevent accidental app deletions, you can enable restrictions to restrict app deletion. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Screen Time.”
- Select “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
- If prompted, enter your passcode.
- Tap on “iTunes & App Store Purchases.”
- Select “Deleting Apps” and choose “Don’t Allow.”
By enabling this restriction, you can ensure that no one can delete apps from your iPhone without your permission.
