Every now and then you may encounter a strange problem that is not only hard to explain, but also hard to believe. Not being able to delete apps on iPhone is one such problem that has plagued many iPhone users at one point or another. Although various factors can cause this problem, luckily there are several methods you can use to solve it. This post describes different troubleshooting methods to fix “Can’t delete apps on iPhone” problem.
Which apps can/can’t be deleted on iPhone and iPad?
When it comes to managing apps on your iPhone, there are certain apps that Apple considers integral to the device’s core functionality and cannot be deleted. These pre-installed apps are often called “embedded applications”, they are designed to provide basic services. While you can easily delete any third-party app downloaded from the App Store, it’s important to know which ones are permanently installed on your device.
Built-in apps you can delete on iPhone and iPad
- Maps
- Measure
- music, music
- books
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Compass
- Contacts
- FaceTime
- Files
- Home
- iTunes Store
- post
- News
- Notes
- translate
- TV
- Voice recordings
- To watch
- Time
- Podcasts
- Reminders
- Shortcuts
- Stock
- fitness
- Tips
Built-in apps you can’t delete on your iPhone or iPad
- Camera
- A watch
- settings
- Application store
- Find My
- Health
- Messages
- Phone
- Photos
If you are still using older versions of iOS like iOS 10 or 11, you have no choice but to live with unwanted apps as the removal of built-in app functionality is offered from iOS 14 onwards. To prevent these apps from popping up again and again, you can create an apps folder and dump all the useless first-party apps there.
On that note, here are the troubleshooting methods you can use to solve the frustrating “Can’t delete app” issue:
1. Restart your iPhone
Sometimes a simple reboot can work wonders and can fix any bugs or software glitches you may have on your iPhone. Here’s how you can restart your iPhone:
- Press and hold the side button and any of the volume buttons at the same time for a few seconds.
- Slide the Slide to Power Off slider to the right and your iPhone will turn off.
- Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the side button to turn on your iPhone.
2. Check screen time limits
There is a possibility that you previously restricted app deletion on your device using Screen Time and forgot to disable it later. So, start by making sure you haven’t inadvertently restricted app deletion. Here’s how:
- Open it Settings app on your iPhone and head to -> Screen time -> Content and privacy restrictions.
- Now tap iTunes & App Store purchases.
- Tap here Deleting applications option and select Allow on the next screen.
Then go to the home screen and then try to delete any app to see if the problem is gone. That should most likely solve the problem.
3. Force restart your iPhone or iPad
If a simple restart doesn’t fix the problem, or if your iPhone becomes unresponsive while deleting apps, a forced restart can often be helpful. This is a safe way to troubleshoot your iPhone without affecting your data. Here’s how to do it:
- Press and release the volume up button.
- Press and release the volume down button.
- Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
4. Delete apps from settings app
If the traditional way of deleting apps from the home screen on the iPhone doesn’t work for some reason, you can go to the iPhone’s storage settings and try to delete the apps you no longer need there. Also, the best part about this method is that it allows you to delete apps along with their associated documents and data, which can be very helpful at times when you want to clean up your device. Here’s how:
- Open it Settings -> General -> iPhone/iPad Storage.
- Now find the app you want to delete and tap on it. After that hit Delete the application and confirm the action.
5. Delete apps through the App Store
Similar to the Settings app, you can also delete apps through the App Store on your iPhone. Here’s how:
- Open the App Store on your iPhone and tap your photo in the upper right corner.
- Here, scroll down to find the app you want to delete.
- After selecting, swipe left on the app and tap the red Delete button which appears.
- Confirm by touching Delete button.
6. Update iOS
Regularly updating your iPhone to the latest iOS version available is essential for optimal performance and fixes for errors like “I can’t delete apps on iPhone. This also ensures that your iPhone is using the latest features, security improvements, bug fixes, and potential fixes for any issues you may be experiencing. Here’s how you do it:
- Go to Settings -> General -> Software Update -> If an update is available, tap the Download and Install button.
7. Sign out of your Apple ID and sign in again
Sometimes problems with updating or deleting apps can occur due to Apple ID authentication, for example, your iPhone won’t let you update an app if it was installed when another Apple ID was signed in to your iPhone. To fix this, you need to sign out of your Apple ID and then sign in with the Apple ID that was signed in when the app was installed. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap your name on top.
- Scroll down to the bottom here, tap the Log Out buttonand enter your Apple ID password.
- After the sign-out process is complete, sign in again using the Apple ID associated with that app.
8. Reset all settings
If none of the above solutions work for you, factory reset is like a nuclear solution that is useful for solving complex iOS problems. So, if you still can’t delete apps on your iOS device, you shouldn’t miss to try. Remember that it erases all existing settings, restoring everything from saved Wi-Fi networks to VPNs to a clean slate. However, it does not harm your media and data.
- Go to Settings app on your iPhone/iPad -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad -> Reset -> Reset All Settings.
That’s all! With so many reliable solutions, I think the problem still doesn’t exist on your device. As mentioned above, you are more likely to fix the problem if you take care of setting the app to be deleted. If that doesn’t help, a hard reset and the ability to delete apps from the Settings app are other reliable tips you can try to fix the problem. Anyway, which of these hacks helped you solve the app deletion problem on your iOS device? Be sure to let us know your feedback.