Game Pigeon is an iMessage app, not a full app, so deletion works differently than you might expect
Game Pigeon is a collection of games that runs inside Apple's Messages app rather than as a standalone program. When you delete it, you are removing access to those games from your Messages conversations — but the process depends on whether you want to hide it temporarily or remove it completely from your device.
The most common reason to delete Game Pigeon is that it takes up storage space, slows down your Messages app, or you straightforward do not use it. Unlike removing a regular app from your home screen, Game Pigeon requires you to go into your iMessage app settings to disable or uninstall it. Because it lives inside Messages rather than on your home screen, many people do not realize where to find it for removal.
Key Takeaways
- Game Pigeon lives inside Messages, not on your home screen, so you delete it through the app drawer within Messages rather than Settings.
- On iPhone, swipe left on Game Pigeon in your iMessage apps and tap Remove to uninstall it completely.
- On Mac, right-click Game Pigeon in the app drawer and select Remove to delete it.
- Hiding Game Pigeon without removing it keeps it on your device but removes it from your app drawer, freeing up visual clutter without freeing storage space.
- Deleted Game Pigeon can be reinstalled from the App Store at any time if you change your mind.
How to delete Game Pigeon on iPhone
Open the Messages app and go to any conversation. Tap the app drawer icon (the circle with four dots) at the bottom left of the message composition area. This opens your iMessage apps and shows all the games and utilities you have installed for messaging.
Scroll through the apps until you see Game Pigeon. Press and hold on the Game Pigeon icon until a menu appears. Tap Remove. A confirmation message will ask if you want to remove the app — tap Remove again to confirm. Game Pigeon is now deleted from your device and will no longer appear in your app drawer.
If you only want to hide it rather than delete it, tap and hold Game Pigeon and select Hide instead. This removes it from your app drawer but keeps it installed on your phone, taking up the same storage space. You can unhide it later by tapping the app drawer, scrolling to the bottom, and tapping Edit to see hidden apps.
How to delete Game Pigeon on Mac
Open Messages and start a conversation or open an existing one. Click the app drawer icon (the circle with four dots) next to the message composition field. Your iMessage apps will appear in a horizontal row or dropdown menu depending on your macOS version.
Find Game Pigeon in the list. Right-click on it and select Remove from the menu. Confirm the removal when prompted. Game Pigeon is now uninstalled from your Mac and will not appear in future conversations.
If you want to hide it instead, right-click and choose Hide. The app stays on your device but disappears from the app drawer. You can access hidden apps by clicking the app drawer and scrolling to the bottom to find an edit option.
The difference between hiding and removing
Removing Game Pigeon deletes it from your device entirely. This frees up storage space and removes all access to the games. If you change your mind later, you can reinstall it from the App Store by searching for "Game Pigeon" and tapping Get. Removal is the better choice if you know you will not use it again soon.
Hiding Game Pigeon keeps it installed but removes it from your app drawer. You still cannot see or use it in Messages, but it takes up the same amount of storage space. Hiding is useful if you think you might want it back soon without having to reinstall, or if you want to keep it available for specific people who might send you Game Pigeon invitations.
What happens to existing Game Pigeon games after deletion
If you have played Game Pigeon games in past conversations, those game records stay in your message history. You can still see the games that were played and view the final scores, but you cannot start new games or continue playing them once Game Pigeon is deleted.
Deleting Game Pigeon does not delete your message history or the conversations where you played games. It only removes your ability to access the app itself. If someone sends you a Game Pigeon game after you have deleted it, you will see the game in the conversation but will not be able to play it without reinstalling.
Reinstalling Game Pigeon if you change your mind
Open the App Store on your iPhone or Mac. Search for "Game Pigeon" and tap or click the Get button. Wait for the app to read and install. Once it is installed, open Messages and access the app drawer — Game Pigeon will now appear in your list of iMessage apps and be ready to use.
Your previous game history will still be visible in your conversations, but you are starting fresh with no saved game progress or scores. Any games you played before deletion will show in your message threads, but the scores and game states are not recovered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting Game Pigeon free up a lot of storage space?
Game Pigeon is a small app, typically taking up between 50 and 150 megabytes depending on your device and how many games you have played. If you are running low on storage, deleting it helps, but it is not a major space saver compared to deleting photos, videos, or larger apps.
Can other people still see Game Pigeon games if I delete it?
Yes. If someone sends you a Game Pigeon game in a message, you will see the game in the conversation history, but you cannot play it without reinstalling the app. They can still send you games and play with other people who have it installed.
Will deleting Game Pigeon affect my other iMessage apps?
No. Removing Game Pigeon only affects that app. Your other iMessage apps like Stocks, Weather, or any third-party apps you have installed will continue to work normally and remain in your app drawer.
What if Game Pigeon does not appear in my app drawer?
It may already be hidden. Open Messages, tap the app drawer icon, and look for an edit option or scroll down to see if there is a section showing hidden apps. If Game Pigeon is listed there, you can tap it to unhide it, or right-click and select Remove to delete it completely.