Deleting an app is not the same as uninstalling it
When you delete an app from your home screen or app drawer, the app itself usually stays on your device taking up storage space. A full deletion — called uninstalling — removes the app files, its data, and any settings you saved inside it. The method depends on whether you use a phone, tablet, or computer, and which operating system runs your device.
Uninstalling also stops the app from running in the background, using your battery, or sending notifications. If you plan to reinstall the app later, you can download it again from the same store where you got it the first time.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find the app, and tap Delete App, then confirm by tapping Delete App again.
- On Android, open Settings > Apps, select the app you want to remove, tap Uninstall, and confirm the action.
- On Windows, open Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find the app in the list, click it, and select Uninstall.
- On Mac, drag the app from Applications to Trash, then empty the Trash to fully remove it from your computer.
- Some apps that came pre-installed on your device may not fully uninstall, but you can usually disable them to stop them from running.
How to uninstall an app on iPhone
Open the Settings app and tap General. Scroll down and select iPhone Storage. You will see a list of all apps on your phone, sorted by size. Find the app you want to remove and tap it.
Tap Delete App, then tap Delete App again to confirm. The app and all its data will be removed from your phone. If you change your mind later, you can download the app again from the App Store using the same Apple ID.
An alternative method: press and hold the app icon on your home screen or app drawer, tap Remove App, then tap Remove from Home Screen or Delete App. The second option removes it completely; the first only hides it from view.
How to uninstall an app on Android
Open the Settings app. The location varies by phone maker, but look for Apps, Applications, or App Management. Tap it, then scroll through the list to find the app you want to remove.
Tap the app name, then tap Uninstall. A confirmation message will appear asking if you are sure. Tap OK or Uninstall again. The app will be removed from your phone.
Some phones also let you uninstall by pressing and holding the app icon on your home screen, then tapping Uninstall or Remove. If an app will not uninstall, it may be a system app that came pre-installed on your phone. You can usually disable it instead: go to Settings > Apps, select the app, and tap Disable. This stops it from running but does not remove the files.
How to uninstall an app on Windows
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing Settings, then press Enter. Click Apps in the left menu, then click Apps & Features.
Scroll through the list to find the app you want to remove. Click it once to select it, then click Uninstall. A window may pop up asking you to confirm or to choose uninstall options. Follow the prompts and click Finish when done.
If the app does not appear in Apps & Features, it may be an older program. Open the Control Panel by pressing the Windows key and typing Control Panel, then press Enter. Click Programs, then Programs and Features. Find the app in the list, click it, and click Uninstall at the top.
How to uninstall an app on Mac
Open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. You will see a folder containing all your installed programs. Find the app you want to remove, click it once, and drag it to the Trash in your dock.
To fully remove the app, empty the Trash. Right-click the Trash icon in your dock and select Empty Trash, or click Finder in the menu bar, then Empty Trash. The app is now completely gone from your computer.
Some apps come with an uninstaller. If you see an Uninstall [App Name] file in the Applications folder, double-click it and follow the prompts instead of dragging to Trash. This method removes any leftover files the app may have created elsewhere on your computer.
What happens to your data when you uninstall an app
Uninstalling an app removes the app files and the data stored inside the app — things like saved games, account settings, messages, or photos you uploaded through that app. If you uninstall a social media app, for example, the app itself is gone, but your account on that service still exists online.
If you reinstall the app later and log back in with the same account, you will see your old posts and photos again because they are stored on the company's servers, not on your device. However, any local files the app created — like downloaded videos or offline content — will be deleted and cannot be recovered.
Apps that will not uninstall
Some apps come pre-installed on your device by the manufacturer or your phone carrier and cannot be fully uninstalled. On iPhone, these are usually Apple's own apps like Stocks or Podcasts. On Android, they might be apps from Samsung, Google, or your carrier.
If you cannot uninstall an app, you can usually hide it or disable it. On iPhone, uninstalling removes the app from your home screen but keeps it in the App Library; you can reinstall it later if you need it. On Android, open Settings > Apps, select the app, and tap Disable. This stops the app from running and removes it from your app drawer, though the files remain on your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does uninstalling an app free up storage space?
Yes. Uninstalling removes the app files from your device, which frees up the storage space the app was using. On phones with limited storage, uninstalling large apps can make a noticeable difference. You can see how much space each app uses before you uninstall it: on iPhone in Settings > General > iPhone Storage, or on Android in Settings > Apps.
Can I recover an app after I uninstall it?
Yes, you can download the app again from the App Store on iPhone or Google Play on Android. You will need the same account you used to download it the first time. Your account data on the company's servers will still be there, but any data stored only on your device will be gone.
What is the difference between deleting and uninstalling?
Deleting usually means removing the app icon from your home screen, but the app files stay on your device. Uninstalling removes the entire app, including all its files and data. On iPhone, the Settings method fully uninstalls; on Android, using the Settings app uninstalls, while dragging to trash only deletes the shortcut.
Why does an app say it cannot be uninstalled?
System apps that came pre-installed on your device often cannot be uninstalled because the operating system depends on them. You can usually disable these apps instead, which stops them from running and removes them from view without deleting the files. On some phones, you may need to remove administrator permissions first: go to Settings > Security > Device Admin and toggle off the app.
Will uninstalling an app stop it from sending notifications?
Yes. Once an app is uninstalled, it no longer runs on your device and cannot send notifications. If you want to keep the app but stop its notifications, you do not need to uninstall it — go to Settings and turn off notifications for that app instead.