Running out of storage or tired of a cluttered Home Screen? Deleting apps from your iPad can free up space and help you stay organized. When you uninstall an app, it removes the app and all associated data an action that can’t be undone. In this guide, we’ll cover all the methods to permanently delete apps from your iPad. Plus, if you want to remove an app but keep its data intact, we’ve got that covered too. Let’s dive in!
Which Built-in iPad Apps Can You Delete?
In addition to third-party apps, Apple lets you delete several pre-installed (built-in) apps from your iPad. If you don’t use some of Apple’s native apps, removing them can help declutter your device. Here’s a list of built-in apps you can delete:
- Books
- Calendar
- Clock
- Contacts
- FaceTime
- Files
- Find My
- Freeform
- Health
- Home
- iTunes Store
- Magnifier
- Maps
- Measure
- Music
- News
- Notes
- Photo Booth
- Podcasts
- Reminders
- Shortcuts
- Stocks
- Tips
- Translate
- Voice Memos
- Weather
Important: Deleting built-in apps also removes their related data and configuration files, which may impact some features or system functionality. Be cautious when removing essential apps.
Method 1: Delete iPad Apps From the Home Screen
If the app you want to remove is on your Home Screen, deleting it is quick and straightforward. This is one of the easiest ways to uninstall an app perfect even for beginners who aren’t familiar with iPad settings. Follow these steps:
- Find the app you want to delete on your Home Screen.
- Tap and hold the app icon until a menu appears or all apps start jiggling.
- Tap the “Remove App” option from the pop-up menu.
- Then choose “Delete App” to permanently remove the app and all its data.
- Press the “Delete“ option for confirmation.
If you want to remove several apps at once from your iPad, here’s a quick and efficient way to do it:
- Long-press on an empty area of your iPad’s Home Screen until the apps start to jiggle.
- Tap the minus (-) icon at the top-left corner of any app you want to delete.
- Select “Delete App” in the pop-up, then tap “Delete” again to confirm.
- Repeat for each app you want to remove.
Method 2: Delete iPad Apps Using the App Library
With iPadOS 15 and later, Apple introduced the App Library, which neatly organizes your apps by category. It’s not only useful for keeping your Home Screen clean, but also offers a convenient way to delete apps especially those not currently visible on the Home Screen. Here’s how to delete apps using the App Library:
- Swipe left on your iPad’s Home Screen until you reach the App Library.
- Use the search bar at the top to locate the app you want to delete.
- Long-press the app icon when it appears in the search results.
- From the menu that appears, select “Delete App”.
- Tap on to “Delete Permanently“
Method 3: Delete iPad Apps Using the Settings App
If you want to manage storage or remove hidden apps, using the Settings app is one of the most effective methods. This approach also helps identify which apps are taking up the most space. Here’s how to delete apps via Settings:
- Go to General > iPad Storage then wait a moment for the list of apps to load, they’ll be sorted by storage size.
- Tap on the app you want to remove, select Delete App.
- Confirm by tapping Delete App again in the pop-up dialog then open the Settings app on your iPad.
Offloading Apps on iPad to Free Up Space
Sometimes, you may want to remove an app to save space but keep its important data. Thankfully, iPadOS has an Offload App feature that lets you do just that.
When you offload an app, the app itself is removed, but all associated data and settings remain intact. If you reinstall the app later, everything will be restored automatically including saved files, preferences, and login info. Here’s how to offload apps on your iPad:
- Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage.
- Select the app you want to offload.
- Tap Offload App.
- Confirm by tapping Offload App again.
Why Can’t I Delete Apps from iPad?
Apple lets you delete many built-in apps, but some essential ones like Safari and Messages can’t be removed because they’re critical for the iPad’s functionality.
For third-party apps, if you’re unable to delete them, it might be due to parental controls restricting app deletion. To fix this, follow these steps:
- Open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
- Make sure Deleting Apps is set to Allow.
- If it says Don’t Allow, tap it and switch to Allow.
Once allowed, you should be able to delete apps normally. If you want to save space but keep app data, consider offloading apps instead of deleting them entirely. Ask questions in the comments.
