How do I delete an app

Apps that are part of the operating system cannot be uninstalled as they are important to the operating system. If the app you are trying to uninstall is one of them, you won't be able to remove it.

In this case, your only option you have is to turn the app off (or force-stop it) in the Application Manager in Settings:

1. Go to Settings -> Tap on Apps
   
   

     
   
   

2. Select an application from the list -> Tap on Force stop (or Turn off / Disable)
   
   

      

Maybe an app "froze" the device's operating system and as a result you are unable to remove apps. Restart your mobile device first, and then uninstall the app.

If you tried all the other solutions to remove the app, but none of them worked, consider resetting your smartphone to its factory settings.

Check out the don't know how to reset my device guide, if you are not sure how to reset your device.

Note: Make a backup of your personal data (pictures, videos, music and other documents) as resetting a device involves data loss.

Maybe the app you are trying to remove is stuck either in the installing or in the updating process. To check this, go to the App Store and tap on Updates. If you can see the app there, and it is trying to update, you won't be able to remove it until you unstick it.

The first thing you need to ensure in order to unstick the app is a stable Wi-Fi or Cellular connection. If your connection is stable, ensure that you have enough free space on the device in order to update the app. If both of these requirements are met and the app is still stuck, restart the iPhone.

Once the app updates, you should be able to uninstall it, following the steps in the video demo below:

If the "Deleting Apps" restriction is enabled, you won't be able to uninstall apps. In this case, you need to disable the restriction in order to be able to uninstall apps. If you are not sure how to disable the restriction, follow the steps below:

1. Go to Settings and tap on General;
2. Tap on Restrictions and locate the Deleting Apps restriction;
3. Move the slider next to the Deleting Apps restriction to the left.

If the app is given administrator privileges, you won't be able to uninstall it until you revoke the privileges. To revoke the privileges, follow the steps below:

1. Go to Settings and select Security;
2. Tap on Device Administrators;
3. If the check box next to the app is ticked (selected), untick it to remove the priviliges;
4. Uninstall the app;

There are third-party software which may help you uninstall unresponsive app. One of them is the manager iCareFone which can uninstall apps. All you need to do is to download the tool from the developer's website, install it in your computer and pair your iOS device with it.

1. In the apps list (swipe to the right to access it) tap on Storage Sense (or Storage, if you use Windows Phone 10);
2. Tap on Phone (the default place for installing new apps) or SD card and select Apps + games (or Apps & Games);
3. Tap on the app you want to remove and select Uninstall.

Apps that are part of the operating system cannot be uninstalled as they are important to the operating system. If the app you are trying to uninstall is one of them, you won't be able to remove it.

If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch is synced with iTunes, you can remove the app from iTunes and it will automatically remove itself from the device.