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. A second menu will ask whether you want to remove the app only or remove it and delete its data. Choose what you need, then tap Remove to confirm.
This method works on any iPad running iPadOS 13 or later. The entire process takes about five seconds. The app disappears from your home screen immediately, though you can reinstall it later from the App Store without paying again if it was free, or without an additional charge if you bought it.
If you have the app on multiple screens or in a folder, you only need to delete it once — removing it from one location removes it from everywhere on your iPad.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon, tap Remove App, then choose whether to keep or delete the app's stored data before confirming.
- Deleting an app does not erase your purchase history, so you can reinstall free apps or previously purchased apps without paying again.
- If an app is in a folder, you can delete it directly from the folder without opening the folder first.
- The Settings app and a few other system apps cannot be deleted, though you can hide them from your home screen if you do not use them.
- Removing an app frees up storage space on your iPad, which can improve performance if your device is running low on space.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
When you delete an app, you have two choices: remove the app only, or remove the app and delete its data. If you choose to remove the app only, your saved games, photos, messages, and other data stored inside that app stay on your iPad. When you reinstall the app later, that data will still be there.
If you choose to remove the app and delete its data, all of that information is erased permanently. You cannot recover it. This is useful if an app takes up a lot of storage space and you know you will not need that data again.
Some apps also store data in iCloud — for example, notes or photos synced across your devices. Deleting the app from your iPad does not delete data stored in iCloud. That data remains accessible on your other Apple devices and in iCloud.com.
Deleting apps from the Settings app instead
If you prefer not to use the home screen method, you can delete apps through the Settings app. Open Settings, tap General, then tap iPad Storage. You will see a list of all your apps sorted by how much space they use.
Tap the app you want to remove, then tap Offload App or Delete App. Offload App removes the app but keeps your data; Delete App removes both the app and its data. This method is slower than the home screen method, but it shows you exactly how much space each app is using, which helps if you are trying to free up storage.
The Settings method also works if an app is hidden or if you cannot find it on your home screen for any reason.
Apps you cannot delete and what to do instead
Some apps that come built into iPadOS cannot be deleted. These include Settings, Stocks, Reminders, Health, Books, Podcasts, TV, and Music. If you try to press and hold one of these apps, the menu will not show a remove option.
If you do not use these apps, you can hide them instead. Press and hold the app, tap Remove App, then choose Remove from Home Screen. The app stays on your iPad and takes up storage, but it will not appear on your home screen or in search results. You can unhide it later by going to Settings, tapping Home Screen, and toggling the app back on.
If a built-in app is taking up significant storage space and you truly do not need it, your only option is to back up your iPad, erase it completely, and set it up again without that app — but this is rarely necessary and will erase everything else on your device, so it is not recommended for this reason alone.
Freeing up storage space by deleting apps
Apps are often the largest files on your iPad. Deleting apps you no longer use is one of the fastest ways to free up storage if your device is running slowly or showing a storage warning. To see which apps are using the most space, go to Settings, tap General, then tap iPad Storage. The list shows each app and its size.
When you delete an app and its data, you recover all the space it was using. Some apps can use several gigabytes of storage, especially games, photo editors, and video apps. Removing even two or three large apps can make a noticeable difference in how your iPad performs.
After you delete apps, your iPad may take a few minutes to reorganize its storage. You do not need to do anything — just let it finish on its own. Restarting your iPad can speed this up if you are in a hurry.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
To get an app back after deleting it, 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 (or the price if it is a paid app). The app will download and install automatically.
If you bought the app before, you will not be charged again — the cloud icon means it is already in your purchase history. Free apps can be reinstalled as many times as you want. Paid apps can be reinstalled on any device linked to the same Apple ID without additional cost.
When you reinstall an app, your saved data will return if you chose to keep it when you deleted the app. If you deleted the data as well, the app will start fresh with no saved information.
Troubleshooting when an app will not delete
If you press and hold an app and no menu appears, the app may be restricted by Screen Time settings. Go to Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If this is turned on, tap iTunes & App Store Purchases, then tap Deleting Apps and make sure it is set to Allow.
If the menu appears but the Remove App option is grayed out or missing, the app is a system app that cannot be deleted. You can only hide it from your home screen. If you are trying to delete a third-party app and it still will not work, try restarting your iPad by holding the power button and volume button together until the power-off slider appears, then drag it to turn off the device. Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on and try again.
If an app is stuck or frozen and will not delete, force-close it first. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find the app, swipe up on its preview to close it, then try deleting it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting an app free up storage space?
Yes, deleting an app and its data removes all the space it was using. The amount varies widely — some apps use only a few megabytes, while games and video apps can use several gigabytes. Check Settings > General > iPad Storage to see exactly how much space each app is using before you delete it.
Can I delete an app and keep its data?
Yes. When you delete an app, you will see two options: remove the app only, or remove the app and delete its data. Choose the first option to keep your saved games, photos, messages, and other information. When you reinstall the app later, that data will still be there.
What if I accidentally deleted an app I need?
Open the App Store, search for the app by name, and tap the cloud icon to reinstall it. If you bought the app before, you will not be charged again. If you kept the app's data when you deleted it, your saved information will return when you reinstall it.
Can I delete the Settings app or other built-in apps?
No, system apps like Settings, Reminders, Health, and Music cannot be deleted. You can hide them from your home screen by pressing and holding the app and choosing Remove from Home Screen, but they will remain on your iPad taking up storage space.
Why does my iPad say an app cannot be deleted?
This usually means Screen Time restrictions are blocking app deletion. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, and make sure Deleting Apps is set to Allow. If the app is a built-in system app, it simply cannot be deleted, though you can hide it instead.