The two ways to remove an app from your iPad
You can delete an app from your iPad in two ways: directly from the home screen by pressing and holding the app icon, or through the Settings menu. 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 check how much storage space each app uses before deciding what to delete.
Both methods remove the app completely from your device. The app's data — saved games, login information, documents you created inside it — usually deletes too, though some apps store data in iCloud and may keep it there. If you think you might want the app back later, you can always reinstall it from the App Store for free if it was free, or you may be able to reinstall a paid app without paying again, depending on your purchase history.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon on your home screen, then tap "Remove App" and confirm — this is the fastest way to delete a single app.
- Go to Settings, tap General, then Storage to see how much space each app uses before you decide what to delete.
- Deleting an app removes it completely, including most of its saved data, though some apps may keep information stored in iCloud.
- You can reinstall a free app or a paid app you purchased before at any time from the App Store without paying again.
- If you only want to hide an app instead of deleting it, you can move it to the App Library or remove it from your home screen while keeping it installed.
Delete an app by pressing and holding its icon
Find the app you want to delete on your home screen. Press and hold the app icon with your finger until a menu appears — this usually takes about one second. Do not lift your finger; wait for the menu to show.
Once the menu appears, you will see several options. Tap "Remove App" (the option with a minus sign or trash icon, depending on your iPad model and iOS version). A second menu will ask you to confirm: "Remove from Home Screen" or "Delete App". Tap "Delete App" if you want to remove it completely. Tap "Remove from Home Screen" only if you want to keep the app installed but hide it from view — it will move to your App Library instead.
After you tap "Delete App", a final confirmation will appear asking if you are sure. Tap "Delete" to confirm. The app is now gone from your iPad.
Delete an app through Settings to see storage space first
Open the Settings app (the gray icon with gears). Scroll down and tap "General". Tap "iPad Storage" (on some older iPad models it may say "iPhone Storage" even though you are on an iPad — this is normal).
Your iPad will show a list of all installed apps, sorted by size with the largest at the top. This is useful because you can see exactly how much storage space each app takes up. Apps that use a lot of space — like games, video apps, or photo editors — appear first. Tap any app name to see more details, including when you last used it and how much data it stores.
To delete an app from this list, tap its name, then tap "Delete App" at the top of the screen. Confirm by tapping "Delete" when the confirmation appears. The app is removed when ready.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
When you delete an app, your iPad removes the app itself and most of the data it stored locally — saved games, documents you created, login information, and settings specific to that app. However, some apps back up certain information to iCloud automatically. For example, if you delete a note-taking app that syncs to iCloud, your notes may still exist in iCloud and could be recovered if you reinstall the app later.
If you are concerned about losing something important, check the app's settings before you delete it. Some apps have an option to back up your data or export it as a file. You can also take screenshots of important information if the app does not offer an export option.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
If you change your mind after deleting an app, you can reinstall it from the App Store. Open the App Store app, search for the app by name, and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow (which means "reinstall") or the plus sign (which means "get"). If the app was free, reinstalling costs nothing. If you paid for the app before, you should be able to reinstall it without paying again — your purchase history is tied to your Apple ID.
When you reinstall an app, it will not automatically restore the data you deleted. If the app syncs to iCloud, some information may reappear once you log back in. Otherwise, you start fresh with the app in its default state.
Hiding an app instead of deleting it
If you want to clean up your home screen but are not ready to delete an app permanently, you have two options: move it to the App Library, or remove it from your home screen while keeping it installed.
To move an app to the App Library without deleting it, press and hold the app icon and tap "Remove App", then tap "Remove from Home Screen" (not "Delete App"). The app stays installed on your iPad and still takes up storage space, but it moves to the App Library — a separate section at the end of your home screens that organizes apps by category. You can still find and open the app by swiping to the App Library or searching for it with Spotlight (swipe down from the top of the screen and type the app name).
This approach is useful if you do not use an app often but might need it someday, or if you want to keep your home screen uncluttered without losing the app entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting an app free up storage space on my iPad?
Yes. Deleting an app removes the app file and its stored data from your iPad, which frees up the storage space it was using. If you are running low on storage, deleting large apps like games or video apps can free up several gigabytes. You can see exactly how much space each app uses in Settings > General > iPad Storage before you decide what to delete.
Can I delete an app that came with my iPad, like Mail or Safari?
Most built-in apps like Mail, Safari, Maps, and Stocks can be deleted. However, some core system apps cannot be removed. If you press and hold a built-in app and "Remove App" does not appear, that app cannot be deleted. You can usually hide it by removing it from your home screen instead, which moves it to the App Library.
What if I delete an app by accident?
You can reinstall it when ready from the App Store. Open the App Store, search for the app by name, and tap the cloud icon or plus sign to reinstall. If it was a paid app you purchased before, you will not be charged again. If you deleted it very recently, you might also undo the deletion by swiping up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher and looking for the app there, though this only works within a few seconds of deletion.
Does deleting an app delete my account or login information for that service?
Deleting the app removes the app's local copy of your login information, but it does not delete your actual account with the service. For example, deleting the Gmail app does not delete your Gmail account. You can reinstall the app and log back in with your username and password. However, if you want to fully delete your account with a service, you usually need to do that through the service's website, not by deleting the app.