How to Delete Built-In Apple Apps on iPhone

This guide shows you how to remove the preinstalled Apple apps you don’t use, freeing up storage and decluttering your home screen. You can delete many of these apps directly from your iPhone, and if you change your mind, most can be reinstalled from the App Store. Before you start, make sure your iPhone is running iOS 14 or later, as earlier versions have limited deletion options.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone with iOS 14 or later
• Enough storage space (deleting apps frees space, but you need a little free space for the deletion process)
• Internet connection (only if you need to reinstall an app later)

Step-by-Step

1. Find the app you want to delete. Swipe through your home screen pages or use the App Library (swipe left past your last home screen page) to locate the built-in app you want to remove.
2. Press and hold the app icon. Do this until a context menu appears. On iPhones with 3D Touch or Haptic Touch, a quick press works. If you’re on an iPad, press and hold similarly.
3. Tap “Remove App” from the menu. This option appears in the pop-up menu. If you don’t see it, make sure you’re not in “jiggle mode” (see Common Mistakes).
4. Choose “Delete App” in the confirmation dialog. A second menu will appear asking if you want to delete the app. Tap “Delete App” to confirm. The app will be removed from your device.
5. If the app doesn’t have a “Remove App” option, it may be one of the few apps that cannot be deleted (see Common Mistakes). In that case, you can hide it by moving it to the App Library or placing it in a folder.
6. To delete from the App Library: If you can’t find the app on a home screen, go to the App Library (swipe left past all home screens), find the app, press and hold its icon, and follow the same steps.
7. To reinstall a deleted app: Open the App Store, search for the app’s name (e.g., “Podcasts”), and tap the download icon. You won’t lose your data if you had iCloud sync enabled for that app.

Common Mistakes

• Confusing “Remove App” with “Remove from Home Screen”. The latter only hides the app from your home screen but keeps it installed. To delete, you must choose “Delete App.”
• Not using the App Library. Some users think they can’t delete an app because it’s not on the home screen. The App Library is the easiest place to find and delete any app.
• Deleting apps that are essential for system functions. Some apps like Settings, App Store, and Phone cannot be deleted. Trying to delete them will not work, and you may waste time.
• Forgetting that deleting an app also deletes its local data. For example, deleting the Notes app removes notes stored only on your device, though iCloud-synced notes remain.

Tips

• Use the App Library to hide apps instead of deleting. If you’re unsure about deleting an app, you can remove it from the home screen only. This keeps it installed but out of sight.
• Check storage savings after deletion. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see how much space you’ve freed. This helps you decide which apps to remove next.
• Reinstall apps without losing data. Many built-in apps sync with iCloud, so reinstalling them brings back your data. For example, deleting and reinstalling Calendar will restore your events if iCloud sync is on.
• Batch delete multiple apps. Enter jiggle mode (press and hold any icon until they all wiggle), then tap the “-” on each app you want to delete. This is faster than deleting one by one.

Troubleshooting

• The “Remove App” option doesn’t appear. This usually means the app is one that cannot be deleted (like Safari or Messages). Check Apple’s list of deletable apps. If it’s not on that list, you can only hide it.
• The app reappears after deletion. This can happen if you have an iOS update or restore from a backup. If you want to keep it deleted, you may need to delete it again after the update.
• Deletion fails with an error. Restart your iPhone and try again. If it still fails, check your storage—if your iPhone is completely full, you may need to free up space first.
• You can’t find the app after deletion. If you deleted an app and later want it back, search the App Store. If it’s a built-in app, it will be available for free download.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete all built-in Apple apps? No. Apple allows you to delete many, but not all. Apps like Settings, App Store, Phone, Messages, and Safari cannot be removed. You can hide them in the App Library or a folder.

Will deleting a built-in app affect my iPhone’s performance? Deleting apps frees storage, which can help performance if your device was low on space. It won’t harm system functions, as the core code for those apps remains in iOS.

How do I restore a deleted built-in app? Go to the App Store, search for the app’s name, and download it. It should be free. If you had iCloud sync enabled, your data will return.

Does deleting an app remove its data? Yes, local data is deleted. However, if the app uses iCloud (like Notes or Calendar), your data remains in iCloud and will reappear when you reinstall the app.

Why can’t I delete the Files app? The Files app is essential for managing documents and downloads. Apple doesn’t allow it to be deleted. You can hide it from your home screen if you prefer.

Will deleting Apple apps affect iOS updates? No. Deleting built-in apps doesn’t prevent iOS updates. The system files remain intact, and updates will install normally.

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