You occasionally encounter a strange problem that is difficult to believe as well as explain. One issue that has plagued many iPhone owners at one time or another is the inability to remove apps on iOS 15. I can assure you that I have experienced this problem firsthand a few times. I can therefore understand the frustration you may be feeling. There are, fortunately, some effective solutions to the Can’t remove apps on iPhone and iPad problem. Let’s discuss how to tackle the issue after keeping it in mind!
10 Tips to Fix Can t Delete Apps on iPhone or iPad Issue
You can be in good shape if you know which iOS apps you can delete and which ones you can’t. So, it would be wiser to start by briefly reviewing iOS’s bloatware history.
What Apps You Can/Can t Delete on iPhone and iPad?
Every tech business aspires to have as much control as they can over their software. Apple follows this long-standing custom, too. Because of this, whether we want it or not, we are presented with a tonne of bloatware (built-in software). So, if you’ve discovered any built-in apps on your iPhone that you barely or never use and questioned why the hell they’re there, you’re not the first one to contemplate this age-old question. After all, you ought to have complete discretion over whether applications should or shouldn’t be installed on your iPhone.
Apple has given users a little more latitude to delete built-in apps with iOS 12 and later. If you dislike bloatware, you would like this action.
List of First-Party Apps You Can Delete on iPhone and iPad
- Maps
- Measure
- Music
- Books
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Compass
- Contacts (Note: It s worth pointing out that even if you delete the Contacts app, your contact information will remain available in other apps like Messages, Phone, Messages, FaceTime, and Mail.)
- FaceTime
- Files
- Home
- iTunes Store
- News
- Notes
- Translate
- TV
- Voice Memos
- Watch
- Weather
- Podcasts
- Reminders
- Shortcuts
- Stocks
- Fitness
- Tips
List of Built-in Apps You Can t Delete on Your iPhone or iPad
- Camera
- Clock
- Settings
- App Store
- Find My
- Health
- Messages
- Phone
- Photos
You are left with little choice but to put up with the unwelcome apps if you are still using an older version of iOS, such as iOS 10 or 11. You can make an app folder and place all the pointless first-party apps there to stop receiving these apps repeatedly.
Disable App Deletion Restriction
Make sure there are no limitations on uninstalling apps as the first step in solving the Unable to delete apps on iPhone or iPad problem. It’s possible that you used Screen Time to restrict app deletion in the past and later forgot to turn it off. So, check to see whether it’s not in the way.
- Navigate to the Settings app on your iOS or iPadOS device -> Screen Time -> Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Now, tap iTunes & App Store Purchases and enter your Screen Time passcode.
- Now, tap Deleting Apps and select Allow.
To see if the issue has been resolved, navigate to the home screen after which you can try removing any programme. It should most likely solve the problem.
Delete Apps from Home Screen and App Library
Apps on the home screen and the App Library can be deleted in slightly different ways. You can become a little perplexed if you are unfamiliar with the Apple environment.
Delete Apps on Home Screen
- Touch and hold the app icon that you wish to delete -> Remove App -> Delete App. Finally, tap Delete in the popup menu to confirm.
Delete Apps on App Library
- Head over to the app that you want to delete -> touch and hold the app icon -> Delete App -> Delete.
Delete Apps Faster on iPhone and iPad
For iOS and iPadOS devices, there is a very cool trick for deleting many apps at once. Remember this clever trick for the times when you want to quickly uninstall a number of apps.
- Touch and hold an app icon and then choose Edit Home Screen in the contextual menu. Now, all the apps on your device will start jiggling and show a – remove button.
- Simply, hit the – button -> Delete App and you are done!
Force Restart Your iPhone or iPad
I always make sure to use the hard reset trick whenever I’m dealing with strange or unanticipated problems. Thankfully, it has come to my aid numerous times. Hence, I’d want to both remind you of this hack’s success and recommend that you give it a shot.
- On iPhone 8 or later and iPad without the home button: Press and quickly release the volume up button. Then, press and quickly release the volume down button. After that, press and hold the side/top button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
- On iPhone 7/7 Plus: Hold down the volume down button and side button at once until the Apple logo shows up on the screen.
- On iPhone 6s or earlier or iPad with home button: Hold down the home button and side/top button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
Adjust 3D Touch/ Haptic Touch Senstivity
An option to modify 3D Touch/Haptic Touch sensitivity can be found slightly hidden inside the Accessibility options. If you are unable to open the contextual menu that appears when you long-press an app icon, changing the 3D or Haptic Touch sensitivity may help.
- Navigate to the Settings app on your iPhone -> Accessibility -> Touch -> 3D/ Haptic Touch (depending on the iPhone model you have). Now, choose Fast or Slow option.
- After that, touch and hold the image on the screen to test the touch duration.
Trying to Delete an App That s Still Downloading? Cancel Download Instead
Cancel the download if you want to remove a programme that is currently downloading. If the downloading is still going on, you will notice Loading / Waitingbelow the programme. Moreover, the remove option won’t appear when you long-press the app icon. Choose Cancel Download from the contextual menu to stop the app from downloading.
Delete Apps from Settings App
Many people might not be aware that iOS also provides a rather straightforward option to remove apps directly from the Settings app. You may navigate through every app that is loaded on your device, check how much storage each one has used, and decide which ones to delete.
The nicest feature of this method, which may be very useful when you want to clear your smartphone, is probably the ability to uninstall apps together with all of the documents and data they are associated with.
- Open the Settings app -> General -> iPhone/iPad Storage -> Now, find the app that you to delete and tap on it. After that, hit Delete App and confirm the action.
Update Software
Try updating the software if app deletion still doesn’t work. Even though you probably wouldn’t need to travel this far in normal circumstances, iOS has long had mysterious flaws.
- Dive into the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad -> General -> Software Update. Now, allow iOS to check for the available update. If there is any update available, go for it right away.
Sign Out of Apple ID and Sign Back In
There is still no answer? We will now sign out of Apple ID and sign back in, so don’t worry. You shouldn’t worry about losing any media or data because it’s a safe way.
- Open the Settings app on your device -> Apple ID banner at the top center. Now, scroll down and tap Sign Out. Now, iOS will give you the option to keep a copy of important data like calendar, contacts, etc.
- For additional safety, turn on the toggles for each option before signing out of Apple ID. Then, sign back in using your Apple ID and password.
Reset All Settings
Complex iOS bugs may often be resolved with a factory reset, which is kind of like a nuclear option. Thus, if you’re still having trouble deleting apps from your iOS device, give it a shot. Remember that it resets all current settings, restoring a fresh configuration for everything from Wi-Fi to VPN. Your media and data are unharmed, though.
- On iOS 15 or later: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone/iPad -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad -> Reset -> Reset All All Settings.
- On iOS 14 or earlier: Head into the Settings app on your device -> General -> Reset -> Reset All Settings.
Fixed the Can t Delete Apps on iPhone Issue
All there is to it is that! With so many reliable fixes available, I doubt the problem is still present on your device. As was already indicated, taking care of the app deletion setting will increase your chances of finding a solution. If that doesn’t work, additional tried-and-true solutions to the problem include a hard reset and the option to remove apps via the Settings app. Which of these hacks, however, has enabled you to resolve the iOS device’s app deletion problem? Please share your thoughts with us.