You cannot fully delete the App Store on iPhone, and attempting to remove it causes real problems
The App Store app itself cannot be deleted from an iPhone running iOS 11 or later. If you try to delete it, Apple's system will not let you — the delete option straightforward does not appear. On older iPhones running iOS 10 or earlier, you could delete it, but doing so breaks your ability to install, update, or repair any app on your phone, including the ability to restore it later.
If you have already deleted the App Store on an older device, the only way to get it back is to connect to a computer running iTunes or Finder and restore your entire phone from a backup or factory settings. This means losing any data not backed up to iCloud.
The App Store is not like other apps. It is the system that manages every other app on your phone. Removing it does not free up meaningful storage space and creates far more problems than it solves.
Key Takeaways
- Apple prevents deletion of the App Store on modern iPhones because removing it breaks app updates and installations across your entire phone.
- If you deleted the App Store on an older iPhone, you must restore your phone through iTunes or Finder to get it back.
- Deleting the App Store does not meaningfully reduce storage use, since the app itself takes up only a small amount of space.
- If you want to limit app access or updates, you can use Screen Time restrictions or disable automatic updates instead of attempting deletion.
Why Apple locks the App Store from deletion
The App Store is the central system that handles installation, updates, and repair of every other process on your phone. When you update an app, purchase an app, or reinstall something you deleted, the App Store is running in the background. It also manages security patches and bug fixes for apps you already have.
If the App Store were deleted, your phone would have no way to push security updates to existing apps. A vulnerability in Maps, Messages, or any other built-in app could not be patched. Apps you want to reinstall could not be restored from your iCloud backup. This is why Apple made it impossible to remove on iOS 11 and later — the system straightforward will not allow it.
What happens if you deleted it on an older iPhone
If your iPhone is running iOS 10 or earlier, the App Store can be deleted like any other app. Once it is gone, you cannot install new apps, update existing ones, or restore deleted apps from backup. You also cannot re-read the App Store itself through any normal means.
The only recovery path is to plug your phone into a Mac or Windows computer with iTunes (on Windows or older Mac) or Finder (on newer Mac), then restore your phone. This erases everything on the device and reinstalls the operating system from scratch. You can restore from an iCloud backup afterward, but anything not backed up to iCloud will be lost permanently.
If you do not have a computer available or do not have a backup, you will need to visit an Apple Store or contact Apple Support to restore your phone remotely.
Storage space is not actually freed up by deletion
The App Store app itself occupies between 50 and 150 megabytes of storage, depending on your iPhone model and iOS version. For context, a single high-resolution photo is often 3 to 5 megabytes. Deleting the App Store would free up roughly the space of 20 to 50 photos — a negligible amount on a modern phone with 64 gigabytes or more of storage.
If you are running low on storage, the App Store is not the problem. Large culprits are usually photo libraries, video files, app caches, and old backups. You can check what is using space by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, which shows you exactly which apps and files are taking up room.
How to control app updates without deleting the App Store
If your concern is that apps are updating too frequently or without your permission, you have several real options that do not require deletion.
Go to Settings > App Store and toggle off "App Updates" under the Automatic Downloads section. This stops apps from updating in the background. You will then update them manually by opening the App Store, tapping your profile icon in the top right, and selecting "Update All" or updating individual apps one at a time.
If you want to prevent someone else from installing or updating apps on your phone, use Screen Time. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, turn on restrictions, then go to iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps and set it to "Don't Allow". This requires a Screen Time passcode to change.
If you want to limit which apps can run on your phone
Deleting the App Store will not prevent apps from running — it only prevents you from managing them. If your goal is to restrict which apps are available, Screen Time is the actual tool for this.
In Settings > Screen Time > App Limits, you can set time restrictions on specific apps or app categories. In Settings > Screen Time > Allowed Apps, you can turn off access to entire categories like Social Networking or Games. These restrictions can be locked behind a passcode so that someone cannot straightforward re-enable them.
You can also delete individual apps you do not want without touching the App Store. The App Store itself will remain, allowing you to reinstall them later if you change your mind.
What to do if the App Store is not working properly
If the App Store is crashing, freezing, or refusing to load, the solution is not deletion — it is troubleshooting. Try these steps in order:
- Force-close the App Store by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (or double-tapping the home button on older iPhones) and swiping the App Store card away.
- Restart your iPhone by powering it off and back on.
- Check that you are connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data, and that the connection is stable.
- Sign out of your Apple ID in Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out, then sign back in.
- If the problem persists, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and check that you have at least 1 to 2 gigabytes of free space available.
If none of these steps work, contact Apple Support through the Apple Support app or at support.apple.com. They can troubleshoot further or escalate to a technician without requiring you to delete anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide the App Store so I do not see it on my home screen?
Yes. Press and hold the App Store icon, select "Remove App", then choose "Remove from Home Screen". The app remains on your phone and continues to function — it is only hidden from view. You can still access it by searching for "App Store" in Spotlight or by going to the App Library.
What if I accidentally deleted the App Store on an old iPhone and do not have a computer?
Visit an Apple Store or an authorized Apple service provider with your phone and your Apple ID credentials. They can restore your phone using their computers. You may also contact Apple Support by phone or through the Apple Support app on another device, and they can walk you through options.
Does deleting the App Store remove ads or tracking?
No. The App Store does not serve ads to you, and deleting it would not change how other apps track your activity. If you are concerned about tracking, go to Settings > Privacy and review permissions for Location, Contacts, Photos, and other sensitive data. You can disable tracking for individual apps there.
Will my phone run faster if I delete the App Store?
No. The App Store uses minimal system resources when it is not actively open. If your phone feels slow, the cause is usually a full storage drive, too many background app refreshes, or an older battery. Check Settings > General > iPhone Storage and Settings > General > Background App Refresh to address the actual problem.