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iPhone (iOS)⏱ 2 min

How to Uninstall Apps on iPhone (iOS)

Remove apps you no longer use to free up storage and improve performance.

Last verified: February 21, 2026

Apple designed iOS app removal to live at the interface level rather than in a settings menu — holding any app icon until jiggle mode activates reveals the minus badge for removal. Deleted apps are immediately removed along with all their local data and cached content, though any data synced to iCloud or the developer's servers persists separately. The App Library (accessed by swiping fully right on the home screen) lets you remove an app from the home screen without uninstalling it, which is useful for decluttering without losing data.

Quick Steps

Follow in order for the fastest result.

  1. 1Press and hold the app icon on the Home Screen until the jiggle mode activates. Tap the minus button > Remove App > Delete App.
  2. 2Confirm any prompts and allow the uninstall process to complete.
  3. 3Restart the device to finalise removal and free up associated processes.

Still Not Working?

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Verify the Fix

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I uninstall an app on iPhone (iOS)?
Pre-installed Apple apps (Calculator, Maps, etc.) can be hidden from the home screen but cannot be fully deleted from some older iOS versions. On iOS 16+, most first-party apps can be uninstalled normally.
Does uninstalling an app on iPhone (iOS) delete all its data?
On mobile platforms (iOS and Android), uninstalling an app removes all its local data completely. Cloud data associated with your account is kept on the service's servers.
How do I find which apps are using the most storage on iPhone (iOS)?
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. The list is pre-sorted by size, showing the largest storage consumers at the top.
Can I reinstall an app after uninstalling it on iPhone (iOS)?
Yes, always. Reinstalling from the App Store, Google Play, Microsoft Store, or the developer's website restores the app completely. Your account data stored in the cloud (game progress, settings synced to an account) is usually restored on first login.

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