There may be an app for everything, but that doesn’t mean you want them all on your phone. Thankfully, it’s really easy to delete unwanted apps from your iPhone, even if you’re still getting accustomed to the new iOS 17 features. The steps to delete unwanted apps will depend on which version of iOS your iPhone is running, but they’re all very similar to one another. For the most recent iPhones, including ones operating on iOS 17, the process is simple:
1. Long press on the app you want to delete.
2. Wait for a pop-up menu to appear below the app.
3. Select Remove App.
4. Tap Delete App.
If you want more detailed instructions or steps for deleting apps from older iPhones, read on.
Deleting an app on an iPhone:
If you’re not sure which version of iOS your iPhone is currently using, you can check in the Settings app under About. Updating iOS, or upgrading to a new iPhone on a great deal, will get you all of the newest iPhone features. Now, let’s delete apps to make room on your device.
iOS 14 or newer (including iOS 17):
This method will apply to iOS 14, iOS 15, iOS 16, and the brand new iOS 17 that launched alongside the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. From the Home Screen:
1. Long press on the app you want to delete.
2. Wait for a pop-up menu to appear below the app.
3. Select Remove App.
4. Tap Delete App.
If you have multiple apps to delete, you can also:
1. Press and hold on the wallpaper.
2. Wait until you see apps and widgets shaking.
3. Tap the minus sign on each app you want to delete.
4. Select Remove App.
5. Choose Delete App.
6. Repeat these steps on other apps you want to delete.
There’s a chance the app you want to delete isn’t on your Home Screen. You can still delete apps from the App Library by following these steps:
1. Press and hold an app you want to delete.
2. Select Delete App from the pop-up menu.
3. Tap Delete to confirm.
iOS 13:
Deleting apps on iOS 13 is easily done by following these steps:
1. Long press on the app you want to delete.
2. Tap Rearrange Apps.
3. Press on the red “x” after the apps begin to jiggle.
4. Choose Delete to confirm.
iOS 12 or older:
To delete apps on iOS 12, you’ll need to:
1. Press and hold any app on the Home Screen.
2. Click the “x” on the app you want to delete after the icons shake.
3. Tap Delete to confirm.
You may not want to delete an app outright, but you also don’t want it to take up valuable space on your Home Screen either. Thankfully, you can hide apps on your iPhone to protect your privacy.
Carrier apps on iPhone:
Carrier apps-like MyRogers, MyBell, My TELUS, and Freedom Mobile My Account-allow you to view your data usage, check your bill, and sometimes alert you of new deals exclusive to loyal customers. After you clear your iPhone of unwanted apps, we highly recommend downloading your carrier’s app if they have one. And if you don’t love your current plan or carrier, Phones Canada has all of Canada’s most popular plans and carriers ready to compare.
