The fastest way to delete an app
To delete an app from your iPhone, press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap Remove App and confirm by tapping Remove from Home Screen or Delete App. The difference matters: Remove from Home Screen hides the app but keeps it installed; Delete App removes it entirely and frees up storage space.
If you want to delete the app completely, choose Delete App when the menu appears. A second screen will ask you to confirm — tap Delete again. The app and all its data will be removed from your phone.
You can also delete apps through Settings. Open Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage. Scroll to find the app you want to remove, tap it, and select Delete App. This method is useful if you want to see how much storage space each app is using before you decide what to delete.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold an app icon, then tap Delete App to remove it completely from your iPhone.
- Remove from Home Screen hides the app but leaves it installed; Delete App removes it entirely and recovers storage space.
- You can also delete apps through Settings by going to General > iPhone Storage, finding the app, and tapping Delete App.
- Deleting an app removes all its data, including saved settings and login information, unless you back up your phone first.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
When you delete an app, your iPhone removes the app itself and all the data it stored — saved passwords, game progress, photos within the app, and any other information the app created. If you reinstall the app later, you will start fresh unless you had previously backed up your phone to iCloud or a computer.
Some apps store data in iCloud separately from the app itself. For example, Notes and Reminders sync to iCloud, so deleting the app does not delete your notes or reminders. Check the app's settings before deleting if you are unsure whether your data is stored locally or in the cloud.
Recovering storage space by deleting apps
Apps take up storage space on your iPhone, and deleting ones you no longer use can free up room for photos, videos, and other files. To see exactly how much space each app uses, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. The list shows apps ranked by size, with the largest at the top.
If your iPhone is running low on storage, deleting large apps you do not use regularly can make a noticeable difference. Games and social media apps often use the most space. After you delete an app, your available storage updates immediately.
Deleting apps you cannot remove from your home screen
Some apps that come built into iOS — like Stocks, Compass, and Reminders — cannot be deleted entirely, but you can remove them from your home screen. Press and hold the icon and select Remove from Home Screen. The app stays on your iPhone but disappears from view.
To find these hidden apps later, swipe to your App Library (the last screen when you swipe right through your home screens) or use Spotlight search. Press and hold the home screen, tap the plus sign, and search for the app by name. You can also reinstall built-in apps through the App Store if you change your mind.
Undoing a deletion and reinstalling an app
If you delete an app and want it back, you can reinstall it from the App Store at no cost. Open the App Store, tap the search icon at the bottom, find the app by name, and tap the cloud icon with a downward arrow to reinstall it. The download starts immediately.
Reinstalling an app does not automatically restore your old data unless you backed up your iPhone before deleting it. If you have an iCloud backup from before the deletion, you can restore your phone to that backup to recover the app and its data. Otherwise, the app will be fresh when it reinstalls.
Deleting multiple apps at once
If you want to delete several apps quickly, you can edit your home screen in bulk. Press and hold any empty space on your home screen until the icons start to jiggle, then tap the minus sign that appears on each app you want to remove. Tap Remove to confirm each deletion, or tap Remove from Home Screen if you only want to hide them.
This method works for removing apps from your home screen, but to delete them entirely, you still need to choose Delete App from the menu. The jiggle-mode edit screen does not offer the full deletion option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover an app I deleted by mistake?
Yes. Open the App Store, search for the app by name, and tap the cloud icon to reinstall it. If you had backed up your iPhone before deleting the app, you can restore from that backup to recover your old data. Otherwise, the app will reinstall fresh without your previous settings or saved information.
Does deleting an app free up storage space immediately?
Yes. Your available storage updates right away after you delete an app. You can check your storage in Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see the change.
What is the difference between removing an app from the home screen and deleting it?
Remove from Home Screen hides the app but leaves it installed on your phone, taking up storage space. Delete App removes it entirely and frees up that space. You can still find a removed app in your App Library or by searching, but a deleted app must be reinstalled from the App Store.
Will deleting an app delete my photos and messages?
Deleting an app only removes data that the app itself created or stored. It will not affect your Photos, Messages, or other system apps. If an app had access to your photos or messages, deleting the app removes only the copies or records the app made, not your originals.