For iPhone users, the App Store is a treasure trove of functionality and entertainment. But with every downloaded game, productivity tool, or social media app, your phone’s storage can slowly vanish. Before you know it, you’re bombarded with “Storage Almost Full” notifications, hindering your iPhone’s performance.
The solution? A strategic app deletion spree! But simply removing an app icon isn’t enough. To truly reclaim storage and ensure the app is gone for good, you need to delete apps on your iPhone permanently. This guide will walk you through various methods for deleting apps on your iPhone permanently, leaving you with a clutter-free and optimized device.
Understanding App Deletion
Before diving into the methods, it’s crucial to understand the distinction between simply removing an app from the home screen and permanently deleting it. When you remove an app by tapping and holding its icon until it jiggles, then tapping the ‘X’ icon, you’re merely uninstalling it from the device’s interface. However, remnants of the app, such as cache files or preferences, may still linger on your iPhone. To achieve complete removal, you need to follow specific steps to erase all traces of the app.
There are two key aspects to consider when uninstalling apps on an iPhone:
1. Removing the App Icon: This hides the app from your Home Screen and App Library. It doesn’t delete the app or its data.
2. Deleting the App and its Data: This completely removes the app and all its associated data from your iPhone, freeing up storage space.
How to Uninstall Apps on iPhone Permanently?
Method 1: The Home Screen Shuffle (Quick and Easy)
This method is perfect for those apps you rarely or never use. It’s a quick and easy way to declutter your Home Screen and free up some space. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Find the app you want to delete on your Home Screen.
Step 2: Touch and hold the app icon until all the apps start jiggling.
Step 3: Now choose the ‘Remove App’ option.
Step 4: A pop-up will ask you to confirm. Now you can either choose the ‘Remove from Home Screen’ or ‘Delete’
Step 5: Tap “Delete App” to permanently remove the app.
Method 2: Delete Apps from the App Library
The App Library, introduced in iOS 14, is a fantastic tool for organizing all your apps in one place. It’s also a great way to delete them permanently. Here’s how:
Step 1: On your Home Screen, keep swiping left until you reach the App Library. This is a grid of all your apps, automatically categorized.
Step 2: Locate the app you want to delete in the App Library. You can use the search bar at the top for quicker access.
Step 3: Touch and hold the app icon until all the app icons start jiggling.
Step 4: Just like in Method 1, select the ‘Delete App’ option and once again tap on Delete to confirm the action.
By following these steps, you ensure that not only is the app removed from your device, but any residual data associated with it is also wiped clean.
Method 3: Delete Apps from iPhone Settings
You can remove iPhone applications, whether they’re from Apple or third-party developers, directly through the settings menu of the iPhone. This functionality remains consistent across various iPhone models, starting from iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and earlier versions, running on iOS 14 and above. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open the ‘Settings‘ app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and select ‘General.‘
Step 3: Tap on ‘iPhone Storage‘ or ‘Storage.’
Step 4: Wait for the list of apps to populate, then scroll through and locate the app you wish to delete.
Step 5: Tap on the app name to open its details.
Step 6: Select ‘Delete App‘ from the options provided.
Step 7: Confirm the deletion by tapping ‘Delete App‘ once more.
Read Also: iPhone Other storage: What is it and how do you get rid of it?
Method 4: Using iTunes or Finder (for macOS Catalina and later)
For users who prefer managing their iPhone apps through a computer, iTunes or Finder can be utilized to delete apps. Here’s how:
Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
Step 2: Open iTunes or Finder, depending on your macOS version.
Step 3: Select your iPhone when it appears in iTunes or Finder.
Step 4: Navigate to the ‘Apps‘ section.
Step 5: Locate the app you wish to delete and click on it.
Step 6: Press the ‘Delete‘ key on your keyboard, or right-click and select ‘Delete.‘
Step 7: Confirm the deletion when prompted.
After moving the unwanted application to the Trash and emptying it, proceed to connect your iPhone to iTunes for synchronization. This action ensures that both the application and its associated data are permanently removed from your iPhone.
Read Also: How to Fix Apple ID Has Not Been Used in the iTunes Store
Method 5: Uninstall Apps on iPhone Using iCloud
If you’re looking to delete apps across multiple devices simultaneously, iCloud offers a convenient solution. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open the ‘Settings‘ app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Tap on your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
Step 3: Select ‘iCloud.‘
Step 4: Scroll down and tap on ‘Manage Storage.’
Step 5: Tap on ‘iCloud Backup.’
Step 6: Select your device from the list of backups and then tap on Show All Apps.
Step 7: Toggle off the apps you wish to delete.
Step 8: Confirm the changes by tapping ‘Turn Off & Delete.’
Using iCloud to delete apps provides a seamless experience, especially for users who own multiple Apple devices and want to maintain consistency across them.
Read Also: How To Get Rid of “iCloud Storage Full” Notification On Mac
Permanently Delete Apps on iPhone for Once and All
By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can confidently delete apps from your iPhone, whether you’re looking to free up space, declutter your home screen, or enhance privacy by erasing all traces of an app. Remember to choose the method that best suits your preferences and needs, and enjoy a streamlined app management experience on your iPhone.
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