Deleting apps from your iPhone or iPad is usually a straightforward process, but sometimes you might encounter an issue where you can’t delete an app. This can be frustrating, especially if you need to free up storage space or want to remove an app you no longer use. Let’s check reasons why you might not be able to delete apps on your iOS device and what you can do to fix the issue.
Ensure Delete Permissions are Enabled
Before you can delete apps on your iPhone or iPad, you need to make sure that the delete permissions are enabled. To do this, go to Settings > General > Restrictions > Deleting Apps and make sure it’s enabled. If it’s disabled, you won’t be able to delete apps from your device. If this option is not visible on your device, it means that restrictions are not enabled, and you can move on to the next step.
Check if the App is Built-in
Some apps are native to iOS and cannot be removed. If you’re trying to delete an app that’s built into your device, you won’t be able to do so. Examples of built-in apps include Phone, Messages, and Settings. To check if the app is built-in, look for a greyed-out icon with the name of the app. If you can’t find the app you want to delete on your home screen, it might be located in a folder.
Use Jiggle Mode to Sequentially Delete Multiple iOS Apps
If you’re trying to delete multiple apps at once, you can use Jiggle mode to do so. Simply tap and hold an app until it jiggles, then tap the X icon to delete it. You can then repeat this process for other apps you want to delete. However, if you’re unable to delete an app using this method, move on to the next step.
Use the Settings App to Easily Delete Installed Apps
Another way to delete apps on your iPhone or iPad is to use the Settings app. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and select the app you want to delete. You’ll then see an option to delete the app, along with information about the app’s size and data usage. This is a useful option if you’re not able to delete an app using Jiggle mode.
Try Deleting Apps from the App Library
If you’re using iOS 14 or later, you can also try deleting apps from the App Library. To do this, swipe left on your home screen until you see the App Library, then tap and hold an app icon until it jiggles. You can then tap the X icon to delete the app. The App Library organizes your apps into categories, making it easier to find the app you want to delete.
Check if You’re Using a School/Work Profile
If you’re using a school or work profile on your iPhone or iPad, you may not be able to delete apps. This is because your device might be managed by your school or workplace, which can restrict certain actions. To check if you’re using a school or work profile, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management. If you see a profile listed, it means that your device is managed, and you might not be able to delete apps.
Force Restart Your iPhone
If you’re still having issues deleting apps on your iPhone or iPad, you can try force restarting your device. To do this, press and hold both the Sleep/Wake button and Home button for at least ten seconds until you see the Apple logo. This can sometimes help to resolve software issues that might be preventing you from deleting apps.
Check for Software Updates
Finally, it’s always a good idea to check for software updates on your iPhone or iPad. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and check if there are any new updates available. Installing the latest updates can help to fix bugs and improve the performance of your device, which can sometimes help to resolve issues with deleting apps.
Reset Your Device’s Settings
If you’ve tried all the previous steps and still can’t delete apps on your iPhone or iPad, you can try resetting your device’s settings. This will erase all your device’s settings, but your data and apps will remain intact. To reset your device’s settings, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will reset your device’s settings to their default values, which can sometimes help to fix issues with deleting apps.
Restore Your Device to Factory Settings
If none of the previous steps have worked, you can try restoring your device to factory settings. This will erase all your device’s data and settings, and restore it to its original state. To do this, connect your device to your computer and open iTunes. Select your device in iTunes, and then click the Restore iPhone button. This will erase all your device’s data and settings and install the latest version of iOS.
Contact Apple Support
If you’ve tried all the previous steps and still can’t delete apps on your iPhone or iPad, it’s time to contact Apple Support. They can help you troubleshoot the issue and provide you with further assistance. To contact Apple Support, go to the Apple Support website and select your device. You’ll then be able to chat with an Apple Support representative or schedule a call with them.
Not being able to delete apps on your iPhone or iPad can be frustrating, but there are several steps you can take to fix the issue. First, make sure that delete permissions are enabled on your device. If the app is built-in, you won’t be able to delete it. If you’re trying to delete multiple apps, use Jiggle mode, or the Settings app to do so. You can also try deleting apps from the App Library. If you’re using a school or work profile, you might not be able to delete apps. Force restarting your device or checking for software updates can also help to resolve the issue. If none of the previous steps work, you can try resetting your device’s settings or restoring it to factory settings. If you’re still having issues, contact Apple Support for further assistance.