The two ways to remove an app from your iPad
You can delete an app from your iPad in two ways: by holding down the app icon on your home screen, or by going into the Settings app. Both methods remove the app completely, though your data stays on your device unless you specifically erase it. The home screen method is faster if you know which app you want to remove. Settings is better if you want to see all your apps at once or if you need to check how much storage space each one uses.
Deleting an app does not affect other apps or your iPad's basic functions. You can reinstall any app you delete later from the App Store, and you will not be charged again if the app was free or if you paid for it before.
Key Takeaways
- Hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap "Remove App" and confirm the deletion.
- You can also go to Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage, find the app, and tap "Delete App".
- Deleting an app removes it from your iPad but does not erase your account data or login information for that service.
- You can reinstall any app from the App Store at any time without paying again for apps you previously bought.
Deleting an app from your home screen
This is the quickest method. Find the app you want to remove on any of your home screens. Press and hold the app icon until a menu pops up. Do not release your finger yet — wait for the menu to appear fully.
Once the menu is open, you will see several options. Tap "Remove App" (the option with a minus sign or trash icon, depending on your iPad model). A second menu will ask you to confirm: "Remove from Home Screen" or "Delete App". Choose "Delete App" if you want to remove it completely from your iPad. If you choose "Remove from Home Screen", the app stays on your device but disappears from view — you can still find it by searching or in the App Store.
After you confirm, the app is gone. If you change your mind when ready, you can undo the deletion by swiping up from the bottom of the screen or pressing Command+Z on a keyboard if your iPad has one connected.
Using Settings to delete apps
Open the Settings app (the gray icon with gears). Scroll down and tap "General". Then tap "iPhone Storage" — the name says iPhone, but this works on iPad too. You will see a list of all your apps sorted by how much storage space they use.
Find the app you want to delete and tap it. A screen will show you details: the app's size, when you last used it, and how much data it stores. Tap "Delete App" at the bottom. Confirm by tapping "Delete" when the system asks. The app is now removed from your iPad.
This method is useful if you want to free up storage space, because you can see exactly how much room each app takes up. Apps that store a lot of data — like video or photo editors, games, or streaming services — will show larger numbers here.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
Deleting an app removes the app itself and any files it created just for itself. However, your account information usually stays on your iPad. For example, if you delete the Gmail app, your Gmail account remains set up in your iPad's Mail settings. If you delete a game, your high scores stored on the game's servers stay there — you can read the game again and pick up where you left off.
Some apps store data locally on your iPad that will be erased when you delete them. This includes cached files, downloaded content, and temporary data. If an app lets you back up your data to the cloud (like photos or documents), that backed-up data stays safe. But anything stored only on your device is gone.
If you are unsure whether an app backs up your data, check the app's settings before you delete it. Most apps have a "Settings" or "Account" section where you can see what is stored where.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
Open the App Store app. Tap the search icon at the bottom (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type the name of the app you want to reinstall. When you find it, tap the cloud icon with a down arrow — this means you bought or downloaded it before. Tap it again to confirm, and the app will read and install.
You will not be charged again for apps you previously bought. Free apps reinstall with no cost. If the app requires a login, you can sign in with the same account you used before, and you may be able to restore your data from the cloud.
Freeing up storage space by deleting apps
If your iPad is running low on storage, deleting large apps is one way to make room. Games, video editors, and photo apps often take up the most space. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see which apps are using the most room. The list is sorted from largest to smallest, so the biggest space-takers are at the top.
Before you delete an app that stores important files, make sure those files are saved somewhere else — like iCloud, Google Drive, or your computer. You can check this in the app's settings or by looking at the app's documentation.
After you delete an app, your iPad may take a few seconds to update the available storage number. If you delete several apps at once, restart your iPad to make sure the storage count refreshes correctly.
Apps you cannot delete
Some apps that come built into your iPad cannot be deleted, including Settings, App Store, Safari, and a few others. If you try to hold down one of these apps, the menu will not show a "Remove App" option. You can hide these apps from your home screen by choosing "Remove from Home Screen", but they will stay on your device.
If you do not use a built-in app, hiding it is a good way to clean up your home screen without losing the ability to search for it later. You can always find hidden apps by swiping down and using the search feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting an app delete my account or passwords?
No. Deleting an app removes only the app itself. Your account information stays in your iPad's settings, and you can sign back in when you reinstall the app. Passwords stored in your iPad's keychain are not affected.
Can I delete multiple apps at once?
Yes. Hold down one app icon until the menu appears, then tap "Edit Home Screen" instead of "Remove App". You can then tap the minus sign on multiple apps to delete them all at once. Confirm each deletion, or tap "Done" when finished.
What if I accidentally deleted an app I need?
You can reinstall it from the App Store when ready. Search for the app by name, tap the cloud icon, and it will read again. If you deleted it very recently, you may be able to undo the deletion by pressing Command+Z.
Does deleting an app make my iPad faster?
Deleting apps frees up storage space, which can help if your iPad is almost full. However, removing a single app usually will not make a noticeable difference in speed unless your device is critically low on storage.
Can I delete an app without losing my progress in a game?
It depends on the game. If the game saves your progress to the cloud or to your game account, you can reinstall it and pick up where you left off. If it saves only to your iPad, that progress is lost. Check the game's settings before deleting to see where it stores your data.