How to Purge Those Pesky Apps: Deleting Apps on Your iPhone 6

So, your iPhone 6 is feeling a bit cramped, is it? Or perhaps you’ve finally admitted that Candy Crush just isn’t your thing anymore. Don’t worry, shedding those unwanted apps is a breeze. The fundamental method for deleting apps on your iPhone 6 is straightforward:

1. Touch and Hold: Gently press and hold the app icon you wish to delete. Keep your finger pressed down for a couple of seconds.

2. The “X” Appears: After a short pause, all the app icons will start to jiggle. A small “X” will appear in the upper-left corner of each app icon.

3. Tap the “X”: Tap the “X” on the app you want to banish from your iPhone 6.

4. Confirm Deletion: A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm that you want to delete the app. Tap “Delete”.

5. The App is Gone! The app and its associated data are now removed from your iPhone 6.

6. Stop the Jiggling: To stop the app icons from jiggling, press the Home button. Alternatively, simply tapping on the screen of an iPhone 6s and newer will also stop the jiggling (this does not apply to an iPhone 6).

That’s the core process. Now, let’s delve into some nuances and answer common questions you might have.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Deleting iPhone 6 Apps

Here are 12 frequently asked questions with detailed and helpful answers.

1. Why Won’t the Apps Jiggle and Show the “X”?

This can be frustrating, but there are a few reasons why this might be happening. First, make sure you are pressing and holding the app icon long enough. A quick tap won’t do the trick. Second, some apps are built-in Apple apps and cannot be deleted directly using this method. These include apps like Messages, Phone, and Clock. Also, if Restrictions are enabled in Settings (especially on older iOS versions like those the iPhone 6 might be running), app deletion could be disabled.

2. How Do I Delete Built-in Apple Apps on My iPhone 6?

Technically, you can’t completely delete most of the built-in Apple apps. However, starting with iOS 10, you can remove them from your Home Screen. While they remain on your device, they won’t clutter your screen. To do this, use the same method as deleting regular apps: touch and hold, tap the “X”, and confirm. If you want the app back later, you can simply redownload it from the App Store. Search for the app by name (e.g., “Mail”, “Calendar”), and you’ll find it available for re-installation.

3. What Happens to My Data When I Delete an App?

When you delete an app, all the data associated with that app stored on your iPhone 6 is also deleted. This includes your settings, saved games, documents, and login information. Be absolutely sure you want to delete the app before proceeding, especially if it contains important data. Some apps store data in the cloud, so your information might be safe even after deletion. Check the app’s documentation or contact the developer to be certain.

4. Can I Reinstall an App After I’ve Deleted It?

Yes, you can. The app is still associated with your Apple ID in your purchase history. To reinstall it, open the App Store, tap on your profile picture in the top right corner, then tap on “Purchased”. You’ll see a list of all apps you’ve previously downloaded. Find the app you deleted and tap the cloud icon with the down arrow to download and reinstall it.

5. How Can I Delete Multiple Apps at Once on My iPhone 6?

Unfortunately, iOS doesn’t offer a built-in way to delete multiple apps simultaneously using the standard jiggle-and-X method. You have to delete them one by one. Be very careful not to tap on any in-app purchase options while the apps are jiggling, as this can cause unintended costs!

6. My iPhone 6 is Slow; Will Deleting Apps Help?

Absolutely. Deleting apps, especially those you don’t use, can significantly improve your iPhone 6’s performance. Having fewer apps consuming storage space and running background processes can free up memory (RAM) and processing power, leading to faster app loading times and smoother overall operation. It can also improve battery life.

7. What if I Accidentally Delete an App?

Don’t panic! As mentioned earlier, you can easily reinstall the app from the App Store’s “Purchased” section. The only downside is that you might lose any data that wasn’t backed up to the cloud.

8. How Do I Back Up My App Data Before Deleting an App?

This depends on the app. Many apps offer their own cloud backup solutions (e.g., saving game progress to a game server, syncing documents to iCloud or Google Drive). Check the app’s settings to see if it supports cloud backups. You can also back up your entire iPhone 6 to iCloud or your computer using iTunes (or Finder on newer macOS versions). However, a full backup will also back up all of your apps.

9. Can I Delete Apps from My iPhone 6 Using iTunes (or Finder)?

Yes, you can. Connect your iPhone 6 to your computer and open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina or later). Select your iPhone in iTunes/Finder, go to the “Apps” tab, and you should see a list of apps installed on your device. You can then select the app you want to delete and click the “Remove” button. Remember to sync your iPhone after making changes to apply them.

10. How Can I See How Much Storage Space Each App is Using?

Knowing which apps are hogging the most storage can help you decide which ones to delete. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. This will show you a list of your apps sorted by the amount of storage they’re using. You can tap on an app to see a more detailed breakdown of its storage usage.

11. Is There a Way to Offload Apps Instead of Deleting Them?

Yes, there is! Introduced in iOS 11, the “Offload Unused Apps” feature automatically removes apps you haven’t used in a while but keeps their data intact. This is a great way to free up storage space without permanently deleting your data. To enable it, go to Settings > App Store and toggle on “Offload Unused Apps”. You can also manually offload individual apps in Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If you reinstall an offloaded app, your data will be restored automatically. This feature is great for reclaiming storage.

12. Why Can’t I Delete an App that I Downloaded?

If you are unable to delete an app that you downloaded, it might be due to restrictions set up on your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Restrictions (if available; note that Restrictions might be located in the “Screen Time” section on newer iOS versions). If Restrictions are enabled, make sure that “Deleting Apps” is allowed. You might need to enter a passcode to change these settings. Alternatively, ensure that you are logged in to the Apple ID that was used to purchase the app. If the app was purchased with a different Apple ID, you may not be able to delete it.

By following these steps and understanding these FAQs, you should have no problem managing and deleting apps on your trusty iPhone 6, keeping it running smoothly and decluttered. Happy deleting!