Deleting an iPhone app removes the app from the device and can free storage space. This is different from removing an app only from the Home Screen, which leaves the app installed in the App Library.
How to Delete an App on iPhone
- Find the app on the Home Screen.
- Touch and hold the app.
- Tap Remove App.
- Tap Delete App.
- Tap Delete to confirm.
You can also delete apps from the App Library. Find the app there, touch and hold its icon, choose Delete App, and confirm.
Delete App vs. Remove from Home Screen
If you choose Remove from Home Screen, the app stays installed and remains available in the App Library. Choose Delete App when you actually want to remove the app from the iPhone.
Deleting an App Does Not Cancel Its Subscription
If an app has a paid in-app subscription, deleting the app does not automatically cancel that subscription. Cancel subscriptions you no longer want through the appropriate Apple subscription settings before or after deleting the app.
Why Can’t I Delete an App?
Some built-in Apple apps cannot be deleted. If a third-party app has no Delete option, Screen Time restrictions may be blocking app deletion. Managed work or school iPhones can also have device-management restrictions that prevent removal.
What Happens to App Data?
Deleting an app removes the installed app and its local data, but data stored in an online account or cloud service can remain with that service. If you might need the data later, check the app’s backup and account options before deleting it.
Summary
Touch and hold an app, choose Remove App > Delete App, and confirm. Use Remove from Home Screen instead when you only want to hide the icon, and remember that deleting an app does not automatically cancel its subscriptions.