How Do I Delete an App from iPad? A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re looking to declutter your iPad and banish some apps to the digital graveyard? Excellent! Deleting an app on your iPad is a straightforward process, but knowing all the nuances ensures you do it right. Here’s a breakdown of how to permanently remove those unwanted applications.

Here’s the quick and dirty answer: You can delete an app from your iPad in three primary ways: by touch and holding the app icon on the Home Screen, through the App Library, or from the iPad Storage settings. Let’s dive into each method.

Method 1: Deleting Apps from the Home Screen

This is the most common and arguably the easiest way to remove an app.

Step 1: Find the App

Locate the app icon on your iPad’s Home Screen. It might be spread across multiple pages, so swipe left or right to find it. Alternatively, you can use the Spotlight Search feature (swipe down from the middle of the Home Screen) to quickly locate the app by typing its name.

Step 2: Initiate “Jiggle Mode”

There are two ways to initiate what I affectionately call “Jiggle Mode”:

• Touch and Hold: Place your finger on the app icon and hold it down for a few seconds. After a brief pause, all the app icons will start to “jiggle.”

• Edit Home Screen: Touch and hold the empty space on the Home Screen until all the apps start to jiggle. This is useful if the app icon isn’t cooperating with the direct touch-and-hold method.

Step 3: Delete the App

Once in “Jiggle Mode,” you’ll see a small “x” icon in the upper-left corner of each app icon (except for default apps). Tap the “x” on the app you want to delete.

Step 4: Confirm Deletion

A pop-up will appear, asking you to confirm that you want to delete the app. It will also warn you that deleting the app will also delete its data. Tap “Delete” to proceed or “Cancel” if you’ve changed your mind.

Step 5: Exit “Jiggle Mode”

Once you’ve deleted all the unwanted apps, tap “Done” in the upper-right corner of the screen (if you initiated “Jiggle Mode” by touching empty space). Or, simply tap anywhere on the screen that’s not an app icon. The jiggling will stop, and you’ll be back to your normal Home Screen.

Method 2: Deleting Apps from the App Library

The App Library, introduced in iPadOS 14, offers a different way to delete apps, particularly those that aren’t actively on your Home Screen.

Step 1: Access the App Library

Swipe left on your Home Screen until you reach the last page. This is the App Library, which organizes your apps into categories.

Step 2: Find the App

Locate the app you want to delete. You can either browse through the categories or use the search bar at the top of the App Library to find it quickly.

Step 3: Delete the App

Touch and hold the app icon you want to delete. A menu will appear. Tap “Delete App”.

Step 4: Confirm Deletion

A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm the deletion. Tap “Delete” to proceed.

Method 3: Deleting Apps from iPad Storage Settings

This method is particularly useful for managing storage space and identifying large apps.

Step 1: Open Settings

Tap the “Settings” app on your iPad.

Step 2: Navigate to iPad Storage

In the Settings menu, tap “General”, then tap “iPad Storage”.

Step 3: Find the App

A list of all your installed apps will appear, sorted by the amount of storage they’re using. Scroll through the list to find the app you want to delete.

Step 4: Delete the App

Tap on the app’s name. This will take you to a page showing the app’s storage usage and two options: “Offload App” and “Delete App”.

Step 5: Confirm Deletion

Tap “Delete App”. A pop-up will appear, asking you to confirm the deletion. Tap “Delete App” again to proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What’s the difference between “Offload App” and “Delete App” in the iPad Storage settings?

“Offload App” removes the app from your iPad but keeps its documents and data. This is useful if you want to free up storage space temporarily without losing your progress or settings. When you reinstall the app, your data will be restored. “Delete App,” on the other hand, completely removes the app and all its associated data. It’s a permanent removal.

2. Can I delete pre-installed Apple apps?

Some, but not all, pre-installed Apple apps can be deleted. Apps like Safari, Mail, and Music can be removed. However, core system apps like Settings and App Store cannot be deleted. If an app can be deleted, you’ll see the “x” icon in “Jiggle Mode” or the “Delete App” option in Settings.

3. What happens to in-app purchases when I delete an app?

Most in-app purchases are tied to your Apple ID. If you delete an app and later reinstall it, you should be able to restore your purchases. However, this depends on the app developer’s implementation. Some subscriptions might need to be manually reactivated. Always check the app’s documentation or contact the developer if you have any concerns about restoring in-app purchases.

4. Will deleting an app cancel my subscription?

No, deleting an app does not automatically cancel any subscriptions associated with it. You need to manually cancel subscriptions through the App Store settings. To do this, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions. Here, you can manage and cancel your subscriptions.

5. How do I reinstall an app I’ve deleted?

You can reinstall an app from the App Store. Search for the app by name, and if you’ve previously downloaded it, you’ll see a cloud icon with a downward arrow instead of the “Get” button. Tap the cloud icon to reinstall the app.

6. Why can’t I delete some apps?

There are a few reasons why you might not be able to delete an app:

• It’s a system app: As mentioned earlier, core system apps cannot be deleted.
• Restrictions are enabled: Restrictions (now called Content & Privacy Restrictions) in Settings might prevent app deletion. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Deleting Apps and make sure it’s set to “Allow.”
• Profile installed: Some apps are installed through a configuration profile (common in enterprise environments). To delete these, you may need to remove the profile first. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.

7. Does deleting an app free up storage space?

Yes, deleting an app frees up the storage space it was using, including the app itself and any associated data. This can be particularly helpful if you’re running low on storage.

8. What happens to my data when I delete an app?

When you delete an app, all the data associated with it is also deleted from your iPad. This includes documents, settings, saved games, and any other information stored locally by the app. Before deleting an app, make sure you’ve backed up any important data that you want to keep.

9. Can I delete an app from my iPad remotely using iCloud?

No, you cannot delete apps remotely from your iPad using iCloud. iCloud is primarily for backing up and syncing data, not for managing apps directly.

10. How do I back up my app data before deleting an app?

The best way to back up your app data is to use iCloud Backup. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and make sure “iCloud Backup” is turned on. This will automatically back up your iPad’s data, including app data, to iCloud when your iPad is connected to Wi-Fi and plugged into power. Some apps might also offer their own backup options, such as syncing data to their own cloud services.

11. I accidentally deleted an app. How do I get it back?

If you accidentally deleted an app, you can reinstall it from the App Store. As long as you’ve previously downloaded the app using your Apple ID, you won’t have to purchase it again.

12. Why is the “Delete App” option greyed out in the iPad Storage settings?

If the “Delete App” option is greyed out, it usually indicates that restrictions are enabled that prevent app deletion. Check your Screen Time settings, as described in FAQ #6, to ensure that app deletion is allowed. Also, ensure you have sufficient storage; while rare, a nearly full storage can sometimes cause unexpected behaviors.