Deleting an iPhone app removes the app and its locally stored data from the device. If you only want to clear space temporarily, offloading the app may be a better choice because it keeps the app’s documents and data.
Delete an app from the Home Screen
- Touch and hold the app icon.
- Tap Remove App or the removal option shown.
- Tap Delete App.
- Confirm the deletion.
If you choose Remove from Home Screen instead, the app remains installed in App Library.
Delete an app from App Library
Open App Library, locate the app, touch and hold it, and choose Delete App when that option is available. Some built-in Apple apps cannot be removed in the same way as ordinary downloaded apps.
Delete or offload from iPhone Storage
Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage and select an app. Delete App removes the app and its data. Offload App removes the application itself but keeps documents and data so they can be restored if you reinstall it.
The storage screen is useful when you are deciding which large apps are worth removing.
Check whether the app stores important local data
Before deleting a notes, authenticator, game, recording, or specialty app, find out whether its information is synced to an account or stored only on the phone. Deleting an app can permanently remove local-only data.
If you cannot delete an app
Screen Time restrictions can prevent app deletion. A managed work or school iPhone can also limit what you are allowed to remove. Review restrictions if the Delete App option is missing.
Deleting an app does not necessarily cancel a paid subscription. Manage subscriptions separately through your Apple Account settings.
Deleting an app does not delete every account record
Removing an app from the iPhone does not necessarily delete your account with that company or erase information stored on its servers. If you want to close an account or remove cloud data, use the service’s account-deletion process in addition to uninstalling the app.
Reinstalling a deleted app
You can usually download a previously obtained app again from the App Store as long as it is still available and compatible with your iPhone. Whether your old data returns depends on the app: some restore from an online account or backup, while others store important information only on the device.
Matthew Roberts created this site to help his friends and family with questions that they might have about how to change the settings on their iPhones. It now serves as an archive of iPhone how-to guides to help anyone that stumbles upon this website.