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How to Delete Apps from Your iPad: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re looking to tidy up your iPad, reclaim some precious storage, or maybe banish that game you’ve become a little too obsessed with? Deleting apps from your iPad is a breeze, and I’m here to guide you through the process, covering all the nuances and potential pitfalls along the way.

How to delete apps from my iPad? There are essentially three methods: long-pressing the app icon on the Home Screen, deleting from the App Library, and managing storage in Settings. Each method is straightforward, but understanding them all gives you complete control over your iPad app landscape. Let’s break them down.

Deleting Apps: Three Proven Methods

Method 1: The Home Screen Long Press

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

Locate the App: Find the app you want to delete on your iPad’s Home Screen.
Long Press (or Touch and Hold): Press and hold your finger on the app icon. After a second or two, a context menu will pop up.
Select “Remove App”: In the context menu that appears, tap the “Remove App” option.
Confirm Deletion: Another prompt will appear asking if you want to “Delete App” or “Remove from Home Screen.” Choose “Delete App” to completely remove the app and its data. If you select “Remove from Home Screen”, the app will remain on your iPad and be accessible from the App Library.
Tap “Delete”: Confirm your decision one last time by tapping “Delete.” The app and all its associated data are now gone!

Pro Tip: If you tap and hold for too long, the apps will start to “jiggle” and display a minus sign in the upper-left corner. This is another way to delete apps. Just tap the minus sign, and follow the confirmation prompts. This is the classic iOS method.

Method 2: The App Library Approach

The App Library, introduced in iPadOS 14, is a dedicated space that organizes all your apps into categories. It’s a fantastic way to declutter your Home Screen and still have access to all your apps. You can also delete apps directly from the App Library:

Access the App Library: Swipe left on your Home Screen until you reach the App Library (it’s the last screen).
Locate the App: Find the app you wish to delete. You can search for it using the search bar at the top of the App Library or browse through the various categories.
Long Press (or Touch and Hold): Similar to the Home Screen method, long press on the app icon.
Select “Delete App”: A menu will appear. Tap “Delete App.”
Confirm Deletion: Confirm your decision by tapping “Delete” on the confirmation prompt.

Method 3: The Settings Deep Dive

This method provides a comprehensive view of your storage and allows you to delete apps strategically.

Open Settings: Launch the Settings app on your iPad.
Navigate to “General”: Scroll down and tap on “General.”
Select “iPad Storage”: In the General settings, tap on “iPad Storage.” This will display a list of all your apps, sorted by the amount of storage they are using.
Choose the App: Find the app you want to delete in the list. Tap on it.
Tap “Delete App”: On the app’s information page, you’ll see a “Delete App” button. Tap it.
Confirm Deletion: Confirm your choice by tapping “Delete App” in the pop-up window.

This method is particularly useful because it shows you how much space each app is consuming, helping you prioritize which apps to remove. It’s also beneficial for identifying apps you may have forgotten about but are still taking up storage.

12 iPad App Deletion FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions I get asked about deleting apps on iPads.

What happens when I delete an app?
When you delete an app, you’re removing the app itself and all the data associated with it from your iPad. This includes documents, settings, saved games, and any other information stored within the app.
Will deleting an app cancel my subscription?
No, deleting an app will not cancel any subscriptions associated with it. You need to cancel subscriptions separately through the App Store. To do this, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions.
Can I reinstall an app I deleted?
Yes! You can always reinstall an app you’ve previously deleted, as long as it’s still available on the App Store. Simply search for the app and download it again. However, keep in mind that some data may not be recoverable depending on whether the app used iCloud or another cloud service for backups.
Will I have to pay for an app again if I reinstall it?
If you originally purchased the app (it wasn’t free), you will not have to pay for it again as long as you use the same Apple ID. The App Store remembers your purchase history.
Does deleting an app free up storage space?
Absolutely! Deleting an app frees up the storage space that the app and its data were using on your iPad. This is one of the primary reasons people delete apps.
I deleted an app, but it’s still showing up in my App Store purchase history. How do I hide it?
You can’t permanently remove an app from your purchase history, but you can hide it. Open the App Store app, tap your profile icon, then “Purchased”. Find the app and swipe left on it to reveal a “Hide” option. Tap “Hide”.
What’s the difference between “Remove from Home Screen” and “Delete App”?
“Remove from Home Screen” only removes the app icon from your Home Screen. The app remains on your iPad and can be accessed through the App Library. “Delete App” completely removes the app and its associated data from your iPad.
Why can’t I delete some apps on my iPad?
Some apps are built-in apps that come pre-installed on your iPad. While you can often remove them from the Home Screen (and then they will only exist in the App Library), you often cannot completely delete these apps. Since iOS 10, Apple has allowed more pre-installed apps to be deleted, but not all.
How do I delete an app that’s stuck or not responding?
If an app is frozen or unresponsive, try force-quitting it first. Double-press the Home button (or swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold if you have a newer iPad without a Home button) to open the App Switcher. Swipe up on the app’s preview to force-quit it. Then, try deleting it using one of the methods described above. If that doesn’t work, try restarting your iPad.
I deleted an app, but its files are still taking up space. How do I get rid of them?
Generally, deleting an app removes all its associated files. However, in rare cases, some residual files might remain. Try restarting your iPad. If the files are still there, you may need to connect your iPad to a computer and use a file management tool (like iMazing) to manually locate and delete them. Be very careful when doing this, as deleting the wrong files can cause problems.
Can I delete multiple apps at once?
Yes, you can delete multiple apps quickly using the “jiggle” method I mentioned earlier. Long press on any app icon until all the icons start to jiggle. Then, tap the minus sign (-) on each app you want to delete.
Will deleting an app affect my iCloud storage?
Deleting an app will only affect your iCloud storage if the app was storing data in iCloud. For example, if you delete a note-taking app that synced its notes to iCloud, those notes will be removed from iCloud as well.

Deleting apps on your iPad is a fundamental skill for managing your device and optimizing its performance. By mastering these methods and understanding the nuances involved, you can keep your iPad clutter-free and running smoothly. Happy deleting!