The fastest way to remove an app
To delete an app from your iPhone, press and hold the app icon on your home screen or in your app library until a menu appears, then tap Remove App and confirm Remove from Home Screen or Delete App. The difference matters: removing from your home screen keeps the app installed but hides it, while deleting the app removes it entirely from your device.
If you want the app completely gone, choose Delete App, then tap Delete when prompted. Your iPhone will ask if you want to keep or delete the app's data — choose based on whether you might reinstall it later. If you delete the app but keep the data, reinstalling it will restore your settings and saved information.
You can also delete apps through the App Store: open the app, tap your profile icon in the top right, find the app in your purchased list, swipe left on it, and tap the trash icon. This method works the same way as deleting from your home screen.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon, tap Remove App, then choose whether to remove it from your home screen only or delete it entirely.
- Deleting an app removes it from your device, but you can choose to keep or delete its stored data separately.
- Removing an app from your home screen hides it but leaves it installed — you can still find it in your App Library.
- Apps you delete can be reinstalled later from the App Store at no cost if you originally purchased them or they were free.
- Some built-in Apple apps (like Mail, Calendar, and Stocks) can be removed from your home screen but not fully deleted from your iPhone.
Deleting vs. removing from your home screen
Your iPhone gives you two options when you remove an app, and they do different things. Remove from Home Screen takes the app off the screen you see when you unlock your phone, but the app stays installed on your device. You can still find it by swiping down to search or by opening your App Library (the folder icon at the far right of your home screens).
Delete App removes the app entirely from your iPhone. The app no longer takes up storage space, and it will not appear in search or your App Library. If you change your mind later, you can download it again from the App Store — this costs nothing whether the app was originally free or paid.
Use Remove from Home Screen if you want to keep an app but do not use it often. Use Delete App if you want to free up storage space or simply do not want the app on your phone anymore.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
When you delete an app, your iPhone asks whether you want to keep or delete the app's data. This includes saved settings, login information, photos, documents, and anything else the app stored on your phone. If you tap Delete App without choosing, your iPhone will delete both the app and its data by default.
If you think you might reinstall the app later, tap Keep App Data instead. The data stays on your phone even though the app is gone. When you reinstall the app from the App Store, it will recognize your old data and restore your settings and saved information automatically.
If you are certain you will not use the app again, or if you want to start fresh with it, choose Delete App Data. This removes everything the app stored, which can free up a small amount of storage space. Some apps store large amounts of data — for example, a messaging app might have years of conversation history — so deleting the data can sometimes recover noticeable space.
Built-in Apple apps you cannot fully delete
Some apps that come pre-installed on your iPhone cannot be fully deleted, though you can remove them from your home screen. These include Mail, Calendar, Stocks, Compass, Reminders, Contacts, Health, and a few others. When you press and hold one of these apps, you will see only Remove from Home Screen — the Delete App option will not appear.
You can still hide these apps by removing them from your home screen and your dock. They will remain installed on your phone and will not appear in search results, but you can access them through your App Library if you need them later. If you want to use one of these apps again, open your App Library, find it, and tap and hold it, then choose Add to Home Screen.
Deleting apps from your App Library
If you prefer to delete apps without using your home screen, you can do it directly from your App Library. Swipe to the far right of your home screens to open the App Library, then search for or browse to the app you want to remove. Press and hold the app icon and tap Remove App, then choose Delete App.
The App Library organizes your apps into categories automatically — Productivity, Social, Entertainment, and so on. If you delete an app from your App Library, it is removed from your entire phone, not just from that view. The process is identical to deleting from your home screen.
Freeing up storage space by deleting apps
Deleting apps is one way to free up storage on your iPhone if you are running low on space. Some apps take up very little room, while others — particularly games and photo or video editors — can use hundreds of megabytes or even gigabytes. To see how much space each app uses, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Your iPhone will show you a list of apps ranked by size, with the largest at the top.
If you want to keep an app but reduce the space it uses, you can try offloading it instead of deleting it. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, tap the app, and choose Offload App. This removes the app but keeps its data, so reinstalling it later will restore everything. Offloading is useful if you have an app you use occasionally but want to save space most of the time.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
If you delete an app and later want it back, you can download it again from the App Store at no cost. Open the App Store, tap the search icon at the bottom, and type the app's name. Tap the cloud icon with a down arrow next to the app to reinstall it. If the app was originally paid, you will not be charged again — the App Store remembers your purchase.
When you reinstall an app, you have the option to restore your old data if you kept it when you deleted the app. The app will usually ask you to sign back in, and then it will restore your settings and saved information. If you deleted the app's data as well, you will start with a fresh installation as if you were using the app for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete an app and then get it back?
Yes. Open the App Store, search for the app by name, and tap the cloud icon to reinstall it. If you kept the app's data when you deleted it, your settings and saved information will restore automatically. If you deleted the data too, you will start fresh.
What is the difference between offloading and deleting an app?
Offloading removes the app but keeps its data on your phone, saving space while preserving your settings. Deleting removes both the app and optionally its data. Offloading is useful if you want to temporarily free up space for an app you use occasionally. Deleting is better if you do not plan to use the app again.
Will deleting an app remove my login information?
Only if you choose to delete the app's data when prompted. If you tap Keep App Data, your login information and settings stay on your phone. When you reinstall the app, it will remember who you are and restore your account automatically.
Can I delete built-in Apple apps like Mail or Calendar?
No, you cannot fully delete them. You can remove them from your home screen and dock so they do not appear in search, but they remain installed on your iPhone. You can restore them to your home screen anytime through your App Library.
Does deleting an app free up a lot of storage space?
It depends on the app. Large games or video editors can use several gigabytes, while most everyday apps use less than 100 megabytes. Check Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see which apps use the most space on your device.