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 from your device. The app icon disappears, and the storage space it was using becomes available again.
Which method you use depends on what you're doing at the moment. If you're looking at your home screen and spot an app you want gone, the hold-and-delete method is faster. If you're already in Settings managing your device, you can delete from there instead.
Neither method is permanent. You can reinstall any app you delete later by going to the App Store, as long as you use the same Apple ID account you used to read it originally.
Key Takeaways
- Hold your finger on any app icon for a second or two, 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 home screen and frees up storage space on your device.
- You can reinstall any deleted app later through the App Store using the same Apple ID.
- Deleting an app does not delete your account or data stored in that app's cloud services.
Deleting an app by holding the icon
This is the quickest method if you're already looking at your home screen. Press and hold your finger on the app icon you want to remove. After about a second, a menu will pop up with several options. Look for "Remove App" — it usually appears near the bottom of the menu.
Tap "Remove App." A second menu will appear asking you to confirm. You'll see three choices: "Remove from Home Screen Only," "Remove from Home Screen and App Library," or "Cancel." If you choose "Remove from Home Screen Only," the app stays on your device but disappears from your home screen and the App Library. If you choose "Remove from Home Screen and App Library," the app is deleted entirely from your iPad.
To delete the app completely, tap "Remove from Home Screen and App Library." A confirmation message will appear. Tap "Delete" to finish. The app is now gone from your device.
Deleting an app through Settings
If you prefer to manage your apps through Settings, open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap "General." Then tap "iPhone Storage" — even though you're on an iPad, Apple still calls this section "iPhone Storage."
You'll see a list of all the apps on your device, sorted by how much storage space each one uses. Scroll through the list and find the app you want to delete. Tap on it. A screen will appear showing the app's name, how much space it takes up, and when you last used it. Tap "Delete App" in red text at the bottom.
A popup will ask you to confirm. Tap "Delete" again. The app is now removed from your iPad, and that storage space is freed up.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
When you delete an app, the app itself and any data stored directly on your device are removed. However, data that the app syncs to the cloud — like photos in a cloud storage service, messages in an email account, or notes in a note-taking app — stays in those cloud services. You can reinstall the app later and access that data again.
Some apps store login information in your iPad's keychain. When you delete the app, the login stays in your keychain, so you won't have to re-enter your password if you reinstall it. Other apps store data only locally on your device, so that data is gone when you delete the app. If you're unsure whether an app backs up its data to the cloud, check the app's settings before you delete it.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
To get an app back, open the App Store and search for it by name. When you find it, tap the cloud icon with a downward arrow (not the price button, if there is one). The app will reinstall on your device. You won't be charged again — the App Store remembers that you already bought or downloaded it.
If the app requires a login, you can use the same username and password you used before. If the app syncs to cloud services, your old data will reappear once you log back in. This process usually takes a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the app's size and your internet connection.
Freeing up storage space by checking app size
If you're deleting apps mainly to free up storage space, the Settings method shows you exactly how much space each app uses. Go to Settings, tap General, then tap "iPhone Storage." The list is sorted by size, with the largest apps at the top. This makes it straightforward to see which apps are taking up the most room.
Keep in mind that an app's size on the list includes not just the app itself, but also any data it has stored on your device — cached files, downloaded content, saved games, or offline data. Deleting the app removes all of that at once. If you only want to clear the app's cached data without deleting the app, you can sometimes do this in the app's own settings, but that varies by app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting an app delete my account or password?
No. Deleting the app removes only the app itself and data stored on your device. Your account with that service stays active, and your password is usually saved in your iPad's keychain. When you reinstall the app, you can log back in with the same credentials.
Can I delete multiple apps at once?
You can delete them one at a time using either method, but there's no built-in way to select and delete several apps simultaneously. If you need to free up a lot of space quickly, go to Settings and delete the largest apps first, which will have the biggest impact on your available storage.
What's the difference between removing from the home screen and deleting completely?
Removing from the home screen hides the app but leaves it on your device, taking up storage space. Deleting completely removes the app and frees up that space. You can always reinstall it later from the App Store.
Does deleting an app affect my iCloud backup?
Deleting an app from your device doesn't remove it from your iCloud backup when ready, but future backups won't include it. If you restore your iPad from an old backup, the deleted app may reappear. You can choose not to reinstall it during the restore process.