The Two Ways to Remove an App From Your iPhone
You can delete an app from your iPhone in two ways: by holding the app icon on your home screen, or by going into Settings. The home screen method is faster for one or two apps. The Settings method works better if you want to see all your apps at once and remove several, or if you want to delete an app that is not on your home screen.
Both methods remove the app completely from your phone. The app's data goes with it — if you reinstall the app later, you will start fresh unless the app stores your information in iCloud or on the app maker's servers.
Key Takeaways
- Hold the app icon on your home screen, tap "Remove App", then choose "Delete App" to remove it in seconds.
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see how much space each app uses and delete from there.
- Deleting an app removes all its data from your phone unless the app syncs to iCloud or the app maker's account.
- You can reinstall any app you delete later from the App Store, even if you paid for it originally.
- Some built-in Apple apps like Mail and Safari cannot be deleted, only hidden from your home screen.
Delete an App Using the Home Screen
Press and hold the app icon until a menu appears. Do not let go — wait for the menu to show. Tap "Remove App" from the menu that appears.
A second menu will ask you to confirm. Tap "Delete App", then tap "Delete" one more time when it asks if you are sure. The app is now gone from your phone.
This method works for any app you downloaded. It does not work for built-in apps like Mail, Calendar, or Safari — those apps can be hidden from your home screen but not deleted.
Delete an App Using Settings
Open Settings and tap "General". Scroll down and tap "iPhone Storage". You will see a list of all your apps, with the largest ones at the top. The number next to each app name shows how much space it uses.
Tap the app you want to delete. A screen will show you the app's name, size, and when you last used it. Tap "Delete App" in red text at the bottom. Tap "Delete" to confirm.
This view is useful if you are trying to free up space on your phone. You can see exactly which apps take the most room and delete the ones you do not use. Apps that sync to iCloud — like Photos or Notes — will show "Offload App" as an option instead of "Delete App". Offloading removes the app but keeps your data; deleting removes both.
What Happens to Your Data When You Delete an App
When you delete an app, all the data stored on your phone goes with it. Text messages in a messaging app, photos in a photo editor, notes in a notes app — all of it disappears unless the app saved it somewhere else.
Some apps back up your information to iCloud or to the app maker's servers. If you sign into the same app again later, your data may come back. Mail, Notes, Reminders, and other Apple apps sync to iCloud automatically, so deleting them does not erase your messages or notes. Third-party apps vary — check the app's settings before you delete if you are unsure whether your data is backed up.
Reinstalling an App You Deleted
You can read any app again from the App Store, even if you paid for it originally. Open the App Store, search for the app by name, and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow (not the plus sign). The app will read and install.
If you paid for the app, you will not be charged again. Apple remembers that you bought it. If the app synced your data to iCloud or the app maker's account, your information will be there when you sign back in.
Built-In Apps You Cannot Delete
Some apps that come with your iPhone cannot be deleted: Mail, Messages, Calendar, Reminders, Notes, Stocks, Health, Wallet, Find My, and a few others. You can hide them from your home screen so you do not see them, but you cannot remove them completely.
To hide a built-in app, press and hold its icon, tap "Remove App", then tap "Remove from Home Screen". The app stays on your phone but disappears from your home screen. You can still find it by searching — swipe down from the top of your screen and type the app's name.
Freeing Up Space by Deleting Apps
Apps take up storage space on your phone. If your iPhone is running low on space, deleting apps you do not use is one way to free it up. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see which apps use the most space.
Games and video apps usually take the most room. Deleting a large game can free up several gigabytes. If you want to keep an app but do not use it often, you can offload it instead of deleting it — this removes the app but keeps your data, and you can reinstall it later without losing anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting an app delete my photos or messages?
Only if those photos or messages are stored inside that specific app. Photos in the Photos app will stay because they are part of iOS. But photos in a third-party photo editor, or messages in a messaging app, will be deleted unless that app backs them up to iCloud or the app maker's servers.
Can I delete an app and then get it back for free?
Yes. You can read any app again from the App Store. If you paid for it, you will not be charged again — Apple remembers your purchase. If the app syncs your data, your information will be there when you sign back in.
What is the difference between deleting and offloading an app?
Deleting removes the app and all its data from your phone. Offloading removes the app but keeps your data, so you can reinstall it later without losing anything. Offloading frees up space but takes less time than deleting and reinstalling.
Why can I not delete Mail or Safari?
Apple does not allow deletion of certain built-in apps because they are part of how iOS works. You can hide them from your home screen so you do not see them, but they stay on your phone. You can still search for them and open them if you need them.
How do I know if an app is backing up my data?
Check the app's settings — look for options like "iCloud", "Cloud Backup", "Sync", or "Account". Apple's built-in apps like Mail and Notes sync to iCloud automatically. For other apps, the settings will tell you where your data is stored.