The difference between disabling and deleting an app
Disabling an app stops it from running and removes it from your home screen, but keeps the original files on your phone. Deleting removes everything. Disabling is useful when you want to turn off an app you don't use but might need later, or when an app is using battery or data in the background and you want to stop it without losing your settings.
On most phones, you can disable built-in apps (the ones that came with your phone) but not always third-party apps you downloaded. Third-party apps usually have an "uninstall" option instead. Some phones let you hide third-party apps without fully removing them, which is similar to disabling.
Key Takeaways
- Disabling stops an app from running and hides it, but keeps the original files and your settings intact on your phone.
- On Android, go to Settings > Apps, find the app, and tap "Disable" or "Uninstall" depending on whether it's a built-in or downloaded app.
- On iPhone, you cannot disable built-in apps, but you can delete downloaded apps by holding the icon and selecting "Remove App".
- Disabling an app frees up battery and data but may break other apps that depend on it, so check what each app does before disabling.
How to disable an app on Android
Open Settings and go to Apps (sometimes called process Manager or Manage Apps — the exact name varies by phone maker). Scroll through the list and tap the app you want to disable. At the top or bottom of the app's information page, you will see a button that says Disable, Uninstall, or Force Stop.
Tap Disable if that option appears. The system will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the app will stop running and disappear from your home screen and app drawer. If you only see Uninstall, the app is a downloaded app and cannot be disabled — you can only remove it entirely. If you only see Force Stop, the app is running right now but cannot be disabled permanently; you would need to uninstall it instead.
Some Android phones (particularly Samsung) let you disable apps a different way: long-press the app icon on your home screen, tap App Info, and then tap Disable from there. The result is the same.
How to remove an app on iPhone
iPhone does not have a "disable" feature for any app, including built-in ones. You can only delete downloaded apps. To remove a downloaded app, long-press its icon on your home screen or in the app library, then tap Remove App and confirm Remove from Home Screen (which hides it but keeps the files) or Delete App (which removes it entirely).
Built-in Apple apps like Mail, Maps, or Stocks cannot be removed at all. If you do not want to see them, you can move them into a folder on a screen you rarely visit, or use the search function to find other apps instead. Some built-in apps can be turned off in Settings — for example, you can disable location services for specific apps, or turn off notifications — but the app itself stays on your phone.
What happens when you disable an app
The app stops running in the background, which can save battery life and data. It will no longer send notifications. It will not appear in your app drawer or home screen. However, the original app files stay on your phone, so you can re-enable it later without downloading it again.
Be aware that disabling one app can sometimes break another app that depends on it. For example, disabling your phone's default keyboard app might cause text input to fail in other apps. If you disable something and notice other apps stop working, go back to Settings > Apps and re-enable the app you disabled. The broken app should start working again once you restart your phone.
Apps that are safe to disable
Built-in apps that are usually safe to disable include Chrome (if you use a different browser), Gmail (if you use a different email app), Google Play Music or YouTube Music (if you use Spotify or another service), and Google Duo (if you use WhatsApp or another calling app). You can also disable apps that came pre-installed by your phone's manufacturer but that you never use.
Apps that you should not disable include your default keyboard, your default launcher (home screen), your phone's system settings app, or any app labeled "System" or "Android System." Disabling these can make your phone unusable or force you to factory reset it.
Re-enabling a disabled app
Go back to Settings > Apps and look for the app you disabled. On some phones, disabled apps are hidden by default, so you may need to tap a menu button (three dots or lines) and select Show System Apps or Show Disabled Apps. Once you find it, tap the app and select Enable. The app will reappear on your home screen and start running again.
If you cannot find the app in your settings, try searching for it by name in the Settings search bar. This is faster than scrolling through the full list.
When to disable instead of delete
Disable an app if you think you might use it again later, or if you are not sure whether you want to remove it permanently. Disable it if you want to stop it from using battery or data but do not want to lose your settings and data inside the app. Disable it if the app came with your phone and you are not sure whether other apps depend on it.
Delete an app if you are certain you will not use it again, or if you need to free up storage space. Deleting removes the app files entirely, whereas disabling just hides the app. If storage is your concern, deleting is more effective than disabling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling an app free up storage space?
No. Disabling hides the app and stops it from running, but the app files stay on your phone. To free up storage, you must delete the app instead. Deleting removes the files entirely.
Can I disable apps on a work phone or school phone?
It depends on whether your organization has set up device management. If your phone is managed by your employer or school, some apps may be locked and cannot be disabled. Check with your IT department or administrator before disabling anything.
What if I disabled an app and now something else is broken?
Go back to Settings > Apps, find the app you disabled, and tap Enable. Restart your phone. The broken app should work again. If it does not, restart your phone a second time.
Is it safe to disable Google Play Services?
No. Google Play Services is a system app that many other apps depend on. Disabling it can break maps, location services, payments, and other core functions. Do not disable it.
Can I disable an app that came with my phone but is not a system app?
Yes. Apps that came pre-installed but are not labeled "System" can usually be disabled. These are often apps from your phone's manufacturer or carrier. Disabling them is safe as long as you do not disable your keyboard, launcher, or settings app.