Step by Step Guide – How To Delete Apps on iPad & iPhone

Ever wonder why your iPad appears to be on the slow side? If you have come across issues like apps taking too long to respond, overall sluggish behavior and always running out of storage space, you might want to reevaluate your app choices and possibly delete a few unnecessary programs. How to delete needless apps that no longer serve a particular purpose? That is the question we will be answering today.

How to identify unnecessary apps?

Let’s start by defining when an app becomes unnecessary and no longer serves a particular use. Before you initiate the deleting process,  you should probably rethink your usage habits and answer a few questions like:

• How often do I use a particular app?
• Does it provide the results that I am looking for?
• Is there a more effective option that takes up less storage space?
• Is this app performance-killing?
• Can I identify this app as unneeded bloatware?

If you almost never use a particular app or tend to reach for it less than before, this could be the right time for you to finally get rid of it. By doing so you will not only free up the very much needed storage space but also remove any potential bloatware, which is always a good thing to do.

While reevaluating installed and pre-installed applications, you might come across some programs, that could be defined as performance-killing. That means that by using the particular app, you are not only slowing down your device but also negatively affecting your iPads battery life. Note that these types of mobile applications are very spacious and your device might be better off finding a less roomy alternative.

Delete or uninstall – what’s the difference? 

Deleting an app means that the program of your choice will be uninstalled. However, this action might not fully remove all of the little spread out parts that the app itself usually comes with. By deleting something you remove its folder and possibly leave a few imprints behind, which might affect your iPads storage later on. So if you have to choose between deleting and uninstalling, always choose the second option. By uninstalling an app, you are getting rid of all of the tiny app files that might be hiding in unusual and hard-to-find locations.

How to delete apps on the iPad?

If you have come to a decision that a certain app no longer serves a particular use, note, that there are several apps- removing methods for you to try. Let’s have a closer look at each one of them below to determine which method is the right one for you.

1. How to delete apps from your Home screen

The first and most basic method of deleting your unwanted iPad apps can be done via your device’s home screen. It’s very fast, simple and effective. Let’s guide you through the steps.

1. Open your iPad’s home screen and locate the unnecessary app;
2. Tap on the chosen application and hold it for a few seconds;
3. You might be wondering why all of your home screen icons are wiggling – no worries, that is part of the plan;
4. After the wiggling, you should be able to spot an ‘’X’’ mark on the app that you are willing to delete;
5. Press the small ‘’X’; button and confirm that you indeed want to delete the chosen program;
6. If for any reason you have changed your mind thorough the process – simply press ‘’cancel’’.

Please note, in cases when the previously mentioned ‘’X’’ button does not show up, that indicates that the app of your choice can’t be deleted. Why is that you might be asking yourself? The answer is quite simple – the unwanted program is an Apple app, which is pre-installed and can’t be deleted for that reason e.g. Settings, App Store, Camera, Photos, etc.

2. How to delete apps from Settings

The following method can be done by opening your iPads Settings app. The Settings icon mostly appears as a greyish gear wheel and is usually located on your device’s home screen. It’s quite toned down, so don’t worry if you miss it at first glance!

1. Tap on the Settings icon to open it;
2. When the app has fully opened, tap on ‘’General’’;
3. Tap on ‘’iPad Storage’’ to open the entry;
4. On the ‘’iPad Storage’’ screen you will be able to clearly see how much storage space each of your mobile applications takes up;
5. Scroll through all of your apps to locate the one that you are willing to get rid off;
6. Tap on the unwanted app and choose the ‘’Delete App’’ option – this is usually highlighted in red so you most certainly won’t miss it;
7. Confirm your choice by tapping on ‘’Delete App’’ option once more;
8. That’s it! You have removed the unwanted app!

P.S. This method works great in case you can’t locate the unwanted application on your home screen!

3. How to use the App Store to delete apps

The third and final method might seem like a bit more advanced way of removing unnecessary apps and even a bit of overkill. This method is available for Apple devices that are using no later than the iOS 13 version. How can this be done? See our simplified steps below and take action!

1. Locate and open the App Store;
2. Tap on your profile icon to see the list of your latest updates;
3. Tap on ‘’Upcoming Automatic Updates’’ entry;
4. You will see a drop-down list of all of your recently updated applications;
5. Locate the app from the list that you have identified as unwanted;
6. Swipe left on the app and tap on ‘’Delete’’ to fully remove it;
7. That’s it – you’re all done!

Here a guide with pictures:

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

It will ask you “if you are sure and warn you that this action can’t be done and it will also delete the documents and data that comes with the app” You just have to confirm and press ” Delete App” and you’re done.

Can’t delete apps on the iPad?

Unfortunately, you can’t always delete a certain app of your choice. Why is that? The unremovable apps have been pre-installed, which means that they have been built into the Apple iOS. A few of these apps are:

• Notes
• Calendar
• Calculator
• iTunes Store
• iCloud Drive
• Contacts
• iBooks

However, before determining if an app is indeed unremovable, make sure to try all three app removing methods that we have covered in this article. If none of those seems to work effectively – try restarting your device. Sometimes a simple restart can solve a lot of issues.

If you don’t use these apps but still want to remove them we suggest you just create a specific folder for them, so they don’t take up space on your screen, you won’t delete them but at least you will manage your screen space.

Final words

We hope that this article has helped you with removing a few of the unwanted or performance-killing apps on your iPad. If you encounter any problems on the way, let us know in the comments below. We will do our best to help you along the way!

You can also use this guide in order to delete apps from your Apple iPhone device.