The fastest way to remove an app
To delete an app from your iPad, press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap Remove App and confirm by tapping Remove again. The app disappears from your screen immediately, though you can reinstall it later from the App Store without paying again if it was free or if you bought it before.
This method works on any iPad running iOS 13 or later. If you have an older iPad, you can also delete apps by tapping and holding the icon until a small X appears in the corner, then tapping that X — but the menu method is faster and clearer about what you're doing.
The entire process takes about five seconds. You do not need to restart your iPad or do anything else after the app is gone.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon, tap Remove App, then confirm — the app is gone within seconds.
- Deleting an app does not erase your data from that app unless you specifically choose to delete the app data during removal.
- You can reinstall any free app or any app you previously bought from the App Store without paying again.
- If you are not sure whether you want to keep an app, you can hide it instead of deleting it, so it stays in your library but off your home screen.
Deleting an app and keeping your data
When you delete an app, iPad asks whether you want to keep or remove the app's data. If you tap Remove without choosing, the app disappears but your data stays on your iPad — this is useful if you plan to reinstall the app later and want to pick up where you left off.
If you tap Remove App and then see a second prompt asking about app data, you have two choices. Tap Keep to save the app's files and settings, or tap Delete App Data to remove everything the app stored. Choose Delete App Data only if you want to completely erase the app's footprint from your iPad — for example, if the app was taking up storage space or if you do not plan to use it again.
The data you keep does not take up much space after the app itself is gone, so there is no harm in keeping it if you are unsure.
Hiding an app instead of deleting it
If you want to remove an app from your home screen but are not ready to delete it completely, you can hide it instead. Press and hold the app icon, tap Remove App, then tap Remove from Home Screen instead of Remove App. The app stays in your App Library — a folder that holds all your apps — but no longer shows on your home screen.
Hidden apps still take up storage space and still send notifications, so this method is best for apps you use occasionally or want to keep but do not need to see every day. You can unhide an app anytime by opening your App Library, finding the app, and tapping and holding it, then selecting Add to Home Screen.
This approach is also useful if you share your iPad with family members and want to keep certain apps out of sight without fully removing them.
Freeing up storage space by deleting apps
Apps take up storage on your iPad, and deleting ones you no longer use is one of the fastest ways to free up space. To see how much space each app uses, go to Settings, tap General, then tap iPad Storage. The list shows every app ranked by size, with the largest apps at the top.
Apps that store a lot of data — like games, video streaming apps, or photo editors — often use the most space. Deleting a single large app can free up several gigabytes. If you delete an app and later want it back, you can reinstall it from the App Store in minutes.
After you delete apps, your iPad may feel faster because it has more room to work with. If you are running low on storage and see a warning message, deleting unused apps is usually faster than deleting individual photos or videos.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
Deleting an app does not automatically erase your account or your data on the app's servers. For example, if you delete Gmail, your emails stay in Google's servers — you just cannot see them from your iPad until you reinstall Gmail or access them through a web browser.
However, data stored only on your iPad — like notes you wrote in a notes app, or photos you edited in a photo editor — will be lost if you choose to delete the app data. Before you delete an app that holds important information, check whether that data is backed up somewhere else, like in the cloud or on another device.
If you are unsure whether an app backs up your data, choose Keep when asked about app data. You can always delete the data later if you confirm it is safe elsewhere.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
To get back an app you deleted, open the App Store, tap the search icon at the bottom, and search for the app by name. When you find it, tap the cloud icon with a down arrow — this means you bought or downloaded it before. Tap it again to reinstall, and the app reappears on your home screen in a few seconds to a few minutes depending on the app's size.
You will not be charged again for apps you previously bought, and free apps can be reinstalled as many times as you want. If you kept the app data when you deleted it, your settings and saved information will still be there after you reinstall.
If you cannot find the app in the App Store, it may have been removed by the developer or may not be available in your country. In that case, you will need to find an alternative app that does the same thing.
Troubleshooting when an app will not delete
If you press and hold an app and no menu appears, your iPad may be in a mode that prevents changes. Try pressing and holding for a full two seconds — sometimes a quick tap is not enough. If the menu still does not appear, restart your iPad by holding down the power button until you see the power-off slider, then slide it to turn off your iPad. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.
Some apps that came with your iPad — like Mail, Calendar, and Safari — cannot be fully deleted, but you can hide them using the method described earlier. If you see a message saying an app cannot be removed, it is one of these built-in apps, and hiding it is your only option.
If an app is frozen or not responding, try force-closing it first. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open the app switcher, find the app, and swipe up on its preview to close it. Then try deleting it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete multiple apps at once?
No, you must delete apps one at a time. Press and hold the first app, remove it, then repeat for each additional app. There is no bulk-delete feature on iPad, so if you want to remove many apps, plan to spend a few minutes on the task.
Will deleting an app remove it from my other Apple devices?
No. Deleting an app from your iPad does not affect your iPhone, Mac, or other devices. Each device has its own set of apps, and you control them separately. If you want to remove an app from multiple devices, you must delete it from each one.
What if I accidentally deleted an app I need?
You can reinstall it immediately from the App Store by searching for the app name and tapping the cloud icon. If you kept the app data when you deleted it, your information will be restored when you reinstall. If you deleted the app data too, you will have a fresh copy with no previous settings.
Does deleting an app free up storage space right away?
Yes. The storage space is available immediately after you delete the app. You do not need to restart your iPad or do anything else. If you check your storage in Settings a few seconds later, you will see the space has been freed up.
Can I delete apps from the App Store instead of from my home screen?
Yes. Open the App Store, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, find the app in your list of installed apps, swipe left on it, and tap Remove. This method works the same way as deleting from your home screen, but some people find it easier if they have many apps to manage.