Deleting an app from your cloud storage works differently depending on which service you use, but the basic idea is the same: you revoke the app's permission to access your files and remove it from your account.
Most cloud services — Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud — let third-party apps connect to your account so they can read, edit, or store files. When you no longer want an app to have that access, you delete it from your account settings, not from your device. This stops the app from reaching your cloud files and removes any data it stored there.
The steps vary by service, but you're always working in the same place: your account's connected apps or integrations page. You won't find the option in the app itself or in your device settings — it lives in your cloud provider's website or app, in the security or privacy section.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a cloud app means revoking its permission to access your files, which you do in your cloud provider's account settings, not in the app itself.
- Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and iCloud each have a different name for where connected apps live — "Connected apps," "Linked apps," "App permissions," or "App passwords" — but the process is similar.
- Removing an app from your cloud account does not delete the app from your phone or computer; you may need to uninstall it separately if you want it completely gone.
- Some apps store data in your cloud account even after you disconnect them, so check what files they created before you delete the connection.
How to delete an app from Google Drive
Open Google Drive in a web browser and click the settings gear icon in the top right corner. Select "Settings," then look for the "Connected apps" tab. You'll see a list of every app that has permission to access your Google Drive files.
Find the app you want to remove and click the three dots next to it. Select "Remove" or "Disconnect." Google will ask you to confirm. Once you do, that app can no longer access your Drive files, and any data it stored there will be removed within a few days.
If you're using the Google Drive mobile app, you can't manage connected apps from the app itself — you have to use a web browser. Open drive.google.com on your phone or tablet, follow the same steps above, and the change will take effect immediately on all your devices.
How to delete an app from Dropbox
Go to dropbox.com and sign in. Click your profile picture in the top right, then select "Settings." Choose the "Apps and sessions" tab, then click "Linked apps."
You'll see every app that has permission to access your Dropbox. Click the app you want to remove, then click "Unlink" or "Remove access." Dropbox will confirm the action. The app will no longer be able to read, edit, or upload files to your Dropbox account.
Some apps create a folder in your Dropbox called something like "AppName" or "AppName Files." Unlinking the app doesn't automatically delete that folder — you'll need to delete it manually if you don't want to keep those files. Check your Dropbox root folder before you unlink to see what the app created.
How to delete an app from OneDrive and Microsoft 365
Sign in to account.microsoft.com in a web browser. Click "Security" on the left side, then select "App and device access" or "Connected apps," depending on your account type.
Scroll through the list of connected apps. Click the app you want to remove, then click "Remove access" or "Disconnect." Microsoft will ask you to confirm. Once you do, that app can no longer access your OneDrive files or your Microsoft 365 account.
If you use OneDrive on your computer or phone, removing an app from your account settings won't uninstall it from your device. You'll need to uninstall it separately through your device's app settings or control panel if you want it completely removed.
How to delete an app from iCloud
On an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, open Settings (or System Settings on Mac), tap or click your name at the top, then select "Password & Security." Scroll down to "Apps & websites" or "Connected apps."
You'll see a list of apps and websites that have permission to access your iCloud account. Tap or click the app you want to remove, then select "Stop using Apple ID" or "Remove." Apple will confirm the action. That app will no longer be able to access your iCloud files, photos, or account information.
On a web browser, you can also manage this through iCloud.com. Sign in, click the settings gear, select "Advanced," then look for "App Passwords" or "Connected apps." The process is the same: find the app and click remove.
What happens to your files after you delete an app
When you disconnect an app from your cloud account, the app loses permission to access your files going forward. Any files you created or edited through that app stay in your cloud storage — they don't disappear. The app simply can't reach them anymore.
Some apps create their own folders or files in your cloud account. Disconnecting the app doesn't delete those folders automatically. For example, if you used an app to scan documents into your Dropbox, the scanned files stay in Dropbox even after you remove the app. You'll need to manually delete any folders or files you no longer want.
If the app stored data on its own servers (not in your cloud account), that data may also remain on the app's servers. Check the app's privacy policy or contact the developer if you want to know whether they keep copies of your information after you disconnect.
The difference between deleting an app and uninstalling it
Removing an app from your cloud account and uninstalling it from your device are two separate actions. Deleting it from your cloud provider's settings stops it from accessing your cloud files, but the app icon may still be on your phone or computer.
If you want the app completely gone, you'll need to uninstall it separately. On an iPhone, press and hold the app icon and select "Remove App," then "Delete App." On Android, open Settings, go to "Apps," find the app, and tap "Uninstall." On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find the app, and click "Uninstall." On Mac, drag the app to the Trash or use an uninstaller.
You can delete an app from your cloud account without uninstalling it from your device if you want to keep using the app but prevent it from accessing your cloud files. This is useful if an app works offline or stores files locally on your device instead of in the cloud.
Why you might want to delete an app from your cloud account
The most common reason is privacy. If you no longer trust an app or don't want it reading your files, removing its access stops it from doing so. Even if the app is still installed on your device, it can't reach your cloud storage once you disconnect it.
Another reason is security. If you used an app on a shared device or a device you no longer own, deleting it from your cloud account prevents anyone with access to that device from using the app to reach your files. This is especially important if you sold your phone or computer to someone else.
You might also delete an app simply because you stopped using it. Removing unused apps from your account reduces clutter and limits the number of services that have permission to your data — a good practice for keeping your account secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I delete an app from my cloud account, will it delete the app from my phone?
No. Removing an app from your cloud provider's settings only stops it from accessing your cloud files. The app will still be installed on your phone or computer. You'll need to uninstall it separately if you want it completely removed from your device.
Can I reconnect an app after I delete it?
Yes. You can reconnect an app to your cloud account at any time by opening the app and signing in with your cloud account credentials. The app will ask for permission to access your files again, just as it did the first time you connected it.
What happens to files the app created in my cloud storage?
Files and folders created by the app stay in your cloud storage after you disconnect it. The app simply loses permission to access them. You can delete these files manually if you don't need them, or leave them in place if you want to keep them.
Do I need to delete an app from my cloud account if I uninstall it from my device?
It's not required, but it's a good idea. Uninstalling the app from your device doesn't automatically revoke its access to your cloud account. Deleting it from your cloud settings ensures it can't access your files even if someone reinstalls it on another device.
Can an app still access my files after I delete it from my cloud account?
No. Once you remove an app from your cloud provider's connected apps list, it loses all permission to access your files. The app can no longer read, edit, upload, or download anything from your cloud storage.