How to Delete and Uninstall Apps on iPhone

This guide shows you how to remove apps from your iPhone, whether you want to free up storage, declutter your home screen, or get rid of apps you no longer use. You can delete most apps directly from the home screen in a few taps, and this works the same across all recent iPhone models running iOS 14 or later.

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone with the app you want to delete
Your passcode or Face ID/Touch ID (required to confirm deletion)
Optional: a computer with Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (Windows or older macOS) if you need to delete built-in Apple apps that don’t show the delete option

Step-by-Step

Find the app on your home screen or App Library. Swipe left on the home screen to browse the App Library if you can’t locate the app on a specific page.
Press and hold the app icon. Do not tap it—press and hold until a menu pops up. On iPhones with 3D Touch, use a firm press; on all other models, just hold for about one second.
Tap “Remove App” from the menu. This option appears at the bottom of the context menu. If you don’t see it, check that you’re holding the icon correctly and not just tapping.
Choose “Delete App” in the confirmation dialog. A pop-up will ask if you want to delete the app and its data. Tap “Delete App” to confirm. You may need to enter your passcode or use Face ID/Touch ID.
Wait for the app to disappear. The icon will vanish from the home screen, and the app is now uninstalled from your iPhone.
Alternative method: Use the jiggle mode. Press and hold any icon until all icons start wiggling, then tap the small “−” (minus) button in the corner of the app you want to delete. Confirm by tapping “Delete App” and then press the Home button or swipe up to exit jiggle mode.
Alternative method: Delete from Settings. Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage. Scroll through the list of apps, tap the one you want to remove, then tap “Delete App” and confirm.
Delete built-in Apple apps. Most Apple apps (like Stocks, Voice Memos, or Maps) can be deleted the same way. A few core apps (like Settings, App Store, Phone, Messages, Safari) cannot be deleted.

Common Mistakes

Confusing “Remove App” with “Delete App” – “Remove App” only takes the icon off the home screen but keeps the app installed. You want “Delete App” to actually uninstall it.
Only removing from home screen – If you tap “Remove from Home Screen” instead of “Delete App,” the app moves to the App Library and still takes up storage. Check the App Library to confirm.
Forgetting about in-app purchases – Deleting an app does not refund purchases or subscriptions. You can re-download free apps later, but paid content may need to be restored or repurchased.
Deleting an app that has important data – Photos, documents, or game saves stored only inside the app are gone permanently. Make sure you have backups if you need that data.
Not checking if the app is a system app – Some pre-installed apps like Settings, App Store, and Phone cannot be deleted no matter what method you try.

Tips

Use the App Library to find hidden apps – If you deleted an app but it still shows in search results, it may only be in the App Library, not actually uninstalled.
Free up storage more aggressively – Instead of deleting one app at a time, go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage to see which apps take up the most space and delete the biggest offenders.
Re-downloading is easy – If you delete a free app, you can get it back from the App Store without paying again, as long as it’s still available. Your purchases are tied to your Apple ID.
Offload unused apps automatically – In Settings → App Store, turn on “Offload Unused Apps.” This removes the app but keeps its documents and data, so you can reinstall it later without losing progress.
Delete from a computer for stubborn apps – If a corrupted app won’t delete from the phone, connect to a computer with Finder or iTunes, select your device, and manage apps from there.

Troubleshooting

The app won’t delete (no “Delete App” option appears). This usually means the app is a system app that cannot be removed. Try the Settings method (Settings → General → iPhone Storage → tap the app). If it still doesn’t show a delete option, it’s a core Apple app that’s permanently installed.

You see “Remove App” but not “Delete App.” That’s normal—tap “Remove App” and then in the next dialog choose “Delete App.” If the dialog only offers “Remove from Home Screen,” the app is not actually installed; it’s just a shortcut or a web clip.

The app reappears after restarting. This can happen with apps managed by an organization (if your iPhone is supervised by a company or school) or with certain carrier apps. Check Settings → General → VPN & Device Management to see if a profile is reinstalling apps. If so, you may need to remove that profile (with permission) or contact your IT administrator.

Deleting an app doesn’t free up storage. The storage may not update instantly. Wait a few minutes or restart your iPhone. Also, check that you actually deleted the app and didn’t just remove it from the home screen—the App Library still counts as installed.

You accidentally deleted an app you need. Go to the App Store, search for the app, and tap the cloud icon to re-download it. If it was a paid app, you won’t be charged again. Your data may be lost unless you had iCloud backup or the app stores data in iCloud.

Face ID or passcode prompt keeps failing. Make sure you’re using the correct passcode. If you recently changed your passcode, restart the iPhone once to clear any glitches. If it still fails, restart and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete all pre-installed Apple apps? No. Core apps like Settings, App Store, Phone, Messages, Safari, Camera, and Photos cannot be deleted. Most other Apple apps—like Stocks, Voice Memos, and Tips—can be removed.

Will deleting an app cancel its subscription? No. Deleting the app does not cancel any active subscriptions. You must go to Settings → your name → Subscriptions to cancel them separately.

Does deleting an app delete my photos or files? Only if those files are stored exclusively inside the app. Photos saved to your Camera Roll or files in iCloud Drive are not affected. Check the app’s data storage settings before deleting.

Can I get back a deleted app without paying again? Yes, if it was a free app or you previously purchased it with your Apple ID. Just download it again from the App Store. In-app purchases may need to be restored, but that depends on the app.

What’s the difference between “Offload App” and “Delete App”? Offloading removes the app but keeps its documents and data, so you can reinstall it later and pick up where you left off. Deleting removes everything permanently.

Why can’t I delete an app that shows a minus sign but then nothing happens? This can happen if the app is currently updating or if there’s a temporary glitch. Try restarting your iPhone, then attempt the deletion again. If it persists, check for iOS updates.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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