How to Remove Apps from iPhone Completely [5 Ways]

Is your iPhone screen overflowing with apps you barely touch? Or maybe you're constantly battling the dreaded "Storage Almost Full" alert? Knowing how to remove apps from iPhone is one of the easiest ways to clear up space, reduce clutter, and make your device feel fresh again.

In this guide, we'll walk you through every effective method to remove apps from iPhone, including how to completely remove app data. Whether you want to tidy up your device or free up valuable storage, this step-by-step guide has you covered.

3 Things to Know Before You Remove Apps

Before you start tapping "Delete App," it's important to understand why some apps won't disappear and what actually happens to your data. This will help you avoid confusion and prevent you from accidentally removing something important.

#1. You Can't Remove Some Native Apple Apps

If you have been trying to delete an app and the option simply isn't there, check if it is a core Apple app. These built-in apps are essential for your iPhone to work properly, so Apple doesn't allow you to fully remove them.

Some apps you can't delete include:

• Phone
• Messages
• Camera
• Photos
• Safari
• Settings
• Clock
• App Store
• Find My
• Health

If you want them off your Home Screen, your only option is to choose "Remove from Home Screen." This hides the icon and moves it to the App Library without uninstalling anything.

#2. Screen Time and MDM Might Prevent You From Removing Apps

Another common issue is when the "Delete App" button disappears for every app on your device. This usually happens due to Screen Time restrictions.

To fix it: Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Deleting Apps, then switch the setting from Don't Allow to Allow.

If you use the third-party screen time control apps, also check similar settings on these apps.

Similarly, if you're using a company-issued iPhone, a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile may also prevent deleting certain apps, especially work-related ones. In these cases, you'll need help from your IT administrator.

#3. Understand the Option: Remove vs Offload vs Delete

When you're trying to free up storage, you'll come across several app-removal options. Understanding the differences is key to avoiding accidental data loss.

1️⃣ Remove from Home Screen: This option appears when removing apps directly from your Home Screen. The app isn't deleted, it's simply hidden and moved to the App Library, where it remains installed.

2️⃣ Offload App: Found in Settings > iPhone Storage, this option deletes the app itself to save space but keeps your documents and data (such as game progress). The app icon stays on your device with a small cloud symbol, and reinstalling the app restores everything.

3️⃣ Delete App: This permanently removes the app along with all of its data. Since you cannot recover the app's documents after deletion, make sure you have a backup if you're worried about losing anything important.

Way 1. How to Remove Apps from iPhone at Home Screen

The most common way to remove apps from iPhone is right from the Home Screen. Just be sure you select the correct option so the app is truly deleted - not just hidden.

Step 1. Find the app you want to remove.
Step 2. Touch and hold the app icon until a menu appears.
Step 3. Tap Remove App (usually shown in red).
Step 4. When the popup appears, choose Delete App instead of Remove from Home Screen.
Step 5. Tap Delete again to confirm.

Way 2. How to Remove Apps from iPhone at App Library

If you can't find an app on your Home Screen, it's probably tucked away in the App Library. This method is great for discovering and deleting apps you forgot were installed, especially when you're wondering how to remove hidden apps on iPhone.

Step 1. Swipe left past your last Home Screen page until you see the App Library.
Step 2. Use the search bar at the top or browse by category to locate the hidden app.
Step 3. Touch and hold the app icon directly in the App Library.
Step 4. Tap Delete App from the menu that appears.

Way 3. How to Remove Apps from iPhone at iPhone Storage

If your main goal is to reclaim storage, this is the most effective method. iPhone Storage displays exactly how much space each app uses, including its documents and data.

Step 1. Go to Settings > General.
Step 2. Tap iPhone Storage and wait for the list to load.
Step 3. Scroll through the apps (sorted by size) and tap the app you want to delete.
Step 4. Tap Delete App to remove it completely.

Way 4. How to Remove Apps from iPhone at App Store

Although you can't delete apps directly from search results, there's a helpful trick to remove apps through the App Store's update list. This is useful if you're reviewing updates and notice an app you no longer need.

Step 1. Open the App Store.
Step 2. Tap your Profile Icon in the top right corner.
Step 3. Scroll to the "Upcoming Automatic Updates" or "Updated Recently" section.
Step 4. Find the app, then swipe left on it.
Step 5. Tap the red Delete button.

Way 5. How to Remove Apps from iPhone Completely at iCloud

Deleting an app from your device doesn't always remove its leftover data stored in iCloud. To fully erase its history and ensure the app is completely removed, you’ll need to clear its backup data as well.

Step 1. Open Settings and tap your Apple ID profile at the top.
Step 2. Go to iCloud > Manage Account Storage (or Manage Storage).
Step 3. Tap Backups, then select This iPhone.
Step 4. Scroll to the list of apps included in your backup and tap Show All Apps.
Step 5. Find the deleted app and toggle its switch Off.
Step 6. When you see the message asking to delete the backup data, tap Turn Off & Delete.

You can also go back to the main iCloud page, tap Show All under Apps Using iCloud, select the app, and choose Turn Off and Delete from iCloud.

This ensures the app isn't just removed from your phone - it's also erased from future backups, eliminating any leftover "ghost data."

Bonus: How to Remove Apps When Screen Time/MDM Blocks You (Without Passcode)

The "Delete App" button disappears completely because of Screen Time restrictions, and you can't change the setting because you've forgotten the Screen Time passcode? Or, you may have purchased a second-hand iPhone that's locked with a school or corporate MDM profile that stops you from removing apps at all.

If the built-in "Forgot Passcode?" recovery doesn't work, you'll need a dedicated tool to unlock these restrictions. This is where TunesKit iPhone Unlocker becomes incredibly helpful. Unlike performing a factory reset, which erases all your data, this tool can remove the Screen Time passcode or bypass MDM without wiping your iPhone, giving you full permission to delete apps again.

How TunesKit iPhone Unlocker Helps You Remove Apps:

• Removes Screen Time Passcodes: It clears the forgotten Screen Time code so you can return to Settings and switch Deleting Apps back to Allow, restoring the delete option.
• Bypasses MDM Profiles: If a school or organization installed an MDM profile preventing app removal, this tool removes the management profile entirely.

Here is how to use the MDM removal feature of TunesKit iPhone Unlocker, or you can check this detailed guide for more information:

Step 1Connect Your iPhone and Launch the Program

Click the buttons below to download and launch TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on your computer. Choose "Remove MDM" mode, then connect your iPhone using a USB cable.

Step 2Remove MDM on iPhone

When your iPhone has been detected, you'll be asked to open the Settings app. Then, click Start to begin removing. After that, you can freely add and remove apps from iPhone.

Conclusion

Learning how to remove apps from iPhone is one of the simplest ways to free up space, boost performance, and keep your device running smoothly. Whether you delete apps straight from the Home Screen, dig into iPhone Storage for a deeper clean, or clear leftover data from iCloud, each method helps you stay organized and in control of your digital space.

Just remember the difference between Delete (permanently removes the app and its data) and Offload (saves your documents while removing the app itself). And if Screen Time or MDM restrictions block you from deleting apps, tools like TunesKit iPhone Unlocker can help you regain full access without losing your data.