You cannot fully delete the App Store on most devices, but you can remove it from your home screen
The App Store (on iPhone and iPad) and Google Play Store (on Android) are built into your operating system and cannot be uninstalled the way you remove other apps. Apple and Google designed these stores as core parts of how their systems work — they handle app updates, security checks, and payment processing in the background whether you see the icon or not.
What you can do depends on your device type. On iPhone and iPad, you can hide the App Store icon so it does not appear on your home screen or in search results. On Android, the Google Play Store app can be disabled (though not fully removed), which stops it from running and receiving updates. On both systems, the underlying store functionality remains active for security updates and system maintenance.
If you want to stop seeing app store notifications, prevent accidental purchases, or straightforward clean up your home screen, the steps below show what is actually possible on each device type.
Key Takeaways
- The App Store and Google Play Store cannot be completely uninstalled because they are part of your device's operating system.
- On iPhone and iPad, you can hide the App Store icon from your home screen and search results using the hide app feature.
- On Android, you can disable the Google Play Store app to stop it from running, though the system still uses it for background updates.
- Disabling or hiding the store does not prevent your device from receiving security updates or app updates you have already installed.
- If you want to prevent accidental purchases, you can turn on purchase authentication or parental controls instead of removing the store.
How to hide the App Store on iPhone and iPad
Open your home screen and press and hold the App Store icon until a menu appears. Tap Remove App, then select Remove from Home Screen. The icon disappears from your home screen and from Siri search results, but the App Store itself remains installed and functional on your device.
If you later need to access the App Store, you can still reach it through the App Library (swipe to your last home screen page and look for the App Library section), or ask Siri to open it. You can also restore the icon to your home screen by opening the App Library, finding the App Store, pressing and holding it, and selecting Add to Home Screen.
How to disable the Google Play Store on Android
Open your device Settings and go to Apps or process Manager (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Scroll down and tap Google Play Store. Select Disable or Turn Off. Your device will ask you to confirm; tap Disable again.
Disabling the Play Store stops the app from running and removes it from your app drawer. However, your device still uses the Play Store system in the background to deliver security updates and manage apps you have already installed. If you need to re-enable it later, return to Settings, find Google Play Store, and tap Enable.
On some Android devices (particularly Samsung phones), you may see a Force Stop option instead of Disable. Force Stop closes the app when ready but does not prevent it from restarting. Disabling is the stronger option if your device offers it.
Why you cannot fully remove the App Store
Both Apple and Google built their app stores into the core of their operating systems because the store handles critical functions beyond just letting you read new apps. When you install an app update, your device contacts the store to verify the update is legitimate and has not been tampered with. When your device receives a security patch, the store system processes that update. If you could remove the store entirely, your device would lose the ability to verify that updates are safe.
The store also manages your account, payment methods, and app licenses. If you uninstalled it, you would lose access to apps you have paid for and your device would not know which apps you own. This is why manufacturers do not allow complete removal — it would break core security and ownership features.
Preventing accidental purchases instead of hiding the store
If your main concern is accidental or unauthorized purchases, disabling or hiding the store icon is less effective than turning on purchase authentication. On iPhone, go to Settings > App Store and toggle on Require Password or Require Face ID / Touch ID for purchases. This means anyone trying to buy something must authenticate, even if they have access to your device.
On Android, open the Google Play Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right, select Settings > Authentication, and toggle on Require authentication for purchases. You can also set up a PIN that must be entered before any purchase goes through.
For families with children, both systems offer parental controls that let you restrict app downloads and in-app purchases by age rating or require your approval before any purchase. These controls are more effective than hiding the store because they prevent the purchase itself, not just the icon.
What happens to your apps if you disable the store
Disabling or hiding the App Store does not affect apps you have already installed. They continue to work normally. However, you will not receive notifications about app updates, and you cannot manually check for updates through the store app itself.
Your device may still deliver critical security updates through other channels (some manufacturers push updates directly to your device without going through the store), but you lose the convenience of seeing which apps have updates available. If you disable the store and later want to update an app, you will need to re-enable it first.
Re-enabling the App Store if you change your mind
On iPhone and iPad, restoring the App Store icon takes 10 seconds. Swipe to your last home screen page, open the App Library, find the App Store, press and hold it, and tap Add to Home Screen. The icon reappears exactly where you left it.
On Android, go to Settings > Apps, find Google Play Store, and tap Enable. The app reappears in your app drawer when ready. You can then pin it back to your home screen if you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my apps stop updating if I hide or disable the App Store?
Not necessarily. Your device may still receive app updates through background processes, though you will lose notifications about available updates. To be safe, re-enable the store periodically to check for updates manually, or use your device's system settings to enable automatic app updates.
Can I delete the App Store if I jailbreak my iPhone or root my Android?
Technically yes, but doing so breaks your device's security model and voids your warranty. Jailbreaking and rooting remove the protections that keep your device safe from malicious apps. We do not recommend this approach.
What if the App Store icon is not on my home screen already?
It may already be hidden. Try searching for "App Store" using your device's search function (swipe down on iPhone, swipe up on Android). If it appears in search results, you can add it back to your home screen from there.
Does disabling the Play Store on Android affect Google services like Gmail or Maps?
No. The Play Store is separate from other Google apps and services. Disabling it does not affect Gmail, Google Maps, Google Drive, or any other Google app you have installed.
Can I use a different app store instead of the official one?
On Android, yes — you can install third-party app stores like the Amazon Appstore or Samsung Galaxy Store. On iPhone, you cannot use a different store; Apple requires all apps to come through the App Store. This is a restriction built into iOS.