The fastest way to remove an app depends on your device
On most phones and tablets, you delete an app by finding it on your home screen or in your app list, then holding it until a menu appears with a delete or remove option. The exact steps differ between iPhones, Android phones, and tablets, but the principle is the same: locate the app, trigger the removal menu, and confirm. The app and its data vanish from your device within seconds.
Some apps cannot be deleted this way because they came pre-installed with your device. These system apps — like the calculator, camera, or settings — can usually be hidden instead, so they stop appearing on your home screen even though they remain on the device. A few system apps cannot be hidden either, and those stay visible no matter what you do.
Deleting an app does not automatically erase your account with that service. If you delete the Facebook app but still have a Facebook account, your profile and data remain on Facebook's servers. You would need to delete your account separately through the website or app settings if you want that gone too.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, press and hold an app icon until a menu appears, then tap "Remove App" and confirm you want to delete it.
- On Android, long-press an app icon or open your app list, find the app, and select uninstall or remove from the menu.
- System apps that came with your device often cannot be deleted but can be hidden so they no longer show on your home screen.
- Deleting an app does not delete your account with that service — you must delete your account separately if you want it gone.
- Freeing up storage by deleting apps works best if you also clear the app's cached data, which sometimes remains after deletion.
How to delete apps on iPhone
Press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Tap "Remove App" from the menu. A second menu will ask whether you want to "Remove from Home Screen" or "Delete App." Choose "Delete App" if you want the app completely gone from your iPhone. Confirm by tapping "Delete" when the warning appears.
If the app is not on your home screen, open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, find the app in your purchase history, and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow next to it. This removes the app from your device. You can also go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find the app in the list, tap it, and select "Offload App" to remove it while keeping your data, or "Delete App" to remove it completely.
Apps you delete from the App Store can be reinstalled later without paying again if they were free, or without an additional charge if they were paid. Your purchase history remains in the App Store even after deletion.
How to delete apps on Android
The method varies slightly depending on your phone manufacturer and Android version. On most Android phones, long-press the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap "Uninstall" or "Remove." Confirm the removal when prompted.
If the app is not on your home screen, open your app drawer (usually a grid icon at the bottom of the screen), long-press the app, and select "Uninstall." You can also go to Settings > Apps (or Application Manager, depending on your phone), find the app in the list, tap it, and select "Uninstall."
Some Android phones let you "Disable" system apps instead of uninstalling them. Disabled apps no longer run or appear on your home screen, but they remain on your device. This is useful if you want to stop using an app but are unsure whether you might need it later.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
When you delete an app, the app itself and any data it stored on your device — like downloaded files, offline content, or login information — are removed. However, data stored on the app's company servers (like your messages, photos, or account settings) remains there unless you delete your account with that service.
Some apps leave behind cached data even after deletion. This is temporary information the app stored to load faster next time. To clear cached data, go to Settings > Apps on Android and find the app, then tap "Storage" and select "Clear Cache." On iPhone, cached data is usually removed automatically when you delete the app, but some apps may leave traces in your iCloud backup.
If you reinstall an app later, it may remember some of your settings or offer to restore your account if you log back in. This happens because the app company stored that information on their servers, not because it remained on your device.
Deleting system apps and pre-installed apps
Apps that came with your device — like Settings, Phone, Messages, or the default browser — are called system apps. Most cannot be deleted, but you can hide them so they stop appearing on your home screen or in your app drawer.
On iPhone, press and hold a system app and select "Remove App," then choose "Remove from Home Screen." The app remains on your device and in the App Library, but no longer appears on your home screen. You can still access it by searching for it or finding it in the App Library.
On Android, long-press a system app and look for "Disable," "Hide," or "Remove from Home Screen," depending on your phone. If none of these options appear, the app cannot be removed or hidden. Some Android phones let you uninstall updates to system apps, which resets them to their original version and sometimes frees up storage space. Go to Settings > Apps, find the system app, tap it, and select "Uninstall Updates."
Freeing up storage by deleting apps
Deleting apps is one of the fastest ways to free up storage space on your phone. Large apps like games, video editors, or social media platforms can take up several gigabytes. Check how much space each app uses before deciding what to delete.
On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see a list of apps ranked by size. On Android, go to Settings > Apps and tap an app to see its storage use. Some phones also show storage use in Settings > Storage or Settings > Device Care.
If you delete an app but storage barely improves, clear its cached data as well. On Android, go to Settings > Apps, find the app (even if it is uninstalled, it may still appear), tap "Storage," and select "Clear Cache." On iPhone, you may need to delete and reinstall the app to fully clear its cached data, or use iCloud settings to manage what is backed up.
Reinstalling apps you deleted
On iPhone, open the App Store, search for the app by name, and tap the cloud icon to reinstall it. If you purchased the app, you will not be charged again. Free apps reinstall at no cost.
On Android, open Google Play Store, search for the app, and tap "Install." If you purchased it, you will not be charged again. Your Google account remembers all apps you have ever installed, so the store will recognize that you owned it.
When you reinstall an app, it starts fresh with no data from your previous installation unless you log into your account with that service. Some apps offer to restore your settings or data if you sign in, but this depends on whether the app company saved that information to their servers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete an app and then get my data back if I reinstall it?
Data stored on the app company's servers — like your account, messages, or photos — will be there when you log back in. Data stored only on your device, like offline downloads or app-specific settings, is gone permanently. Before deleting an app, check whether important data is backed up to the company's servers or to your phone's cloud backup.
What is the difference between uninstalling and disabling an app?
Uninstalling removes the app completely from your device and frees up storage space. Disabling (on Android) keeps the app on your device but stops it from running or appearing on your home screen. Disabled apps still take up storage but cannot be opened or used.
Will deleting an app delete my account with that service?
No. Deleting the app only removes it from your device. Your account, profile, and all your data with that service remain on their servers. You must delete your account separately through the company's website or settings if you want it gone.
Why does my phone still show an app taking up storage after I deleted it?
The app's cached data or backup files may still be stored on your device or in cloud backup. On Android, go to Settings > Apps, find the app name, and select "Clear Cache." On iPhone, check iCloud settings to see if the app data is backed up there, and remove it if you do not want it.
Can I delete multiple apps at once?
Most phones do not have a built-in way to delete multiple apps simultaneously. You must delete them one at a time. However, some Android phones allow you to select multiple apps in the app drawer by long-pressing one and then tapping others, then choosing uninstall.