The difference between deleting and uninstalling
When you delete an app, you remove it completely from your phone — the program itself, all the data it stored, and any space it was taking up. This is different from hiding an app or disabling it, which keeps the app on your device but removes it from your home screen or app drawer.
On most phones, deleting an app also removes the account data that app collected about you — your login information, saved preferences, messages, photos you uploaded to that app. Some apps store data on their company's servers instead, so deleting the app from your phone does not erase what they already have. If you want to remove your account entirely, you may need to visit the app company's website or settings page separately.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting an app on Android means going to Settings, finding the app under Apps or Application Manager, and tapping Uninstall; on iPhone, press and hold the app icon and select Remove App, then choose Delete App.
- Deleting an app removes it from your phone and usually removes the data it stored locally, but does not erase your account or data the company kept on their servers.
- Some apps that came with your phone cannot be fully deleted, but you can disable them to stop them from running and hide them from your app list.
- If you want to remove your account entirely from a company's servers, you usually need to visit their website or contact their support team after deleting the app.
How to delete an app on Android
Open Settings on your Android phone. Scroll down and tap Apps or Application Manager — the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer and Android version. Find the app you want to delete by scrolling through the list or using the search function.
Tap the app name to open its details page. You should see an Uninstall button near the top. Tap it, and the phone will ask you to confirm. Tap Uninstall again, and the app is removed.
If you do not see an Uninstall button, the app came with your phone and cannot be fully deleted. You can tap Disable instead to stop it from running, or tap the three-dot menu and look for Hide or Remove from Home Screen to get it out of sight.
How to delete an app on iPhone
Press and hold the app icon on your home screen or in the app library until a menu appears. Tap Remove App. A second menu will ask whether you want to Remove from Home Screen (which hides it but keeps it on your phone) or Delete App (which removes it entirely).
Choose Delete App. iPhone will ask you to confirm by entering your Apple ID password or using Face ID or Touch ID. Once you confirm, the app is removed from your phone.
If you cannot find the app on your home screen, open the App Library by swiping to the rightmost page of your home screen. Search for the app name, press and hold it, and follow the same steps.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
Deleting an app removes the files and data it stored directly on your phone — cached photos, downloaded messages, saved game progress, login tokens. Your phone reclaims that storage space immediately.
However, many apps also store information on the company's servers: your account details, messages you sent, photos you uploaded, your activity history. Deleting the app from your phone does not erase any of that. The company still has the data unless you separately delete your account with them.
To remove your account and data from the company's servers, visit their website, log in to your account settings, and look for a Delete Account, Close Account, or Deactivate Account option. Some companies require you to contact support directly. This step is separate from deleting the app.
Apps that cannot be fully deleted
Many phones come with built-in apps that the manufacturer or carrier installed. These system apps often cannot be uninstalled completely because the phone's operating system depends on them. Examples include Phone, Messages, Settings, Camera, and Maps on most phones.
Instead of deleting these apps, you can disable them. Go to Settings, find the app, and tap Disable. This stops the app from running in the background and removes it from your app drawer. You can re-enable it later if you change your mind. On iPhone, you cannot disable built-in apps, but you can remove them from your home screen and app library by pressing and holding and choosing Remove App.
Freeing up storage space after deletion
Deleting an app immediately frees up the space it was using. On Android, you can see how much space each app takes up before you delete it: go to Settings, tap Apps, find the app, and look at the Storage or Size number.
If you want to see how much space you have freed up after deleting several apps, go to Settings and look for Storage or Device Care. This shows your total available space and what is using it. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage to see a list of apps by size.
Keep in mind that deleting an app only frees up the space the app itself used. If you took photos or videos inside that app, those files may still be on your phone in your Photos library or in a folder the app created. You may need to delete those separately.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
If you delete an app and later want it back, you can reinstall it from the app store. On Android, open Google Play Store, search for the app by name, and tap Install. On iPhone, open the App Store, search for the app, and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow.
When you reinstall an app, it starts fresh — you will need to log in again and set up your preferences. Any data the company stored on their servers (like your account history) will still be there, but any local data you had on your phone is gone. If you reinstall within a short time, some apps may offer to restore your local data from a backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting an app delete my account with that company?
No. Deleting the app removes it from your phone, but the company still has your account and any data you shared with them. To delete your account entirely, you need to visit the company's website, log in, and look for account deletion or deactivation options. This is a separate step from deleting the app.
Can I delete apps that came with my phone?
Most system apps cannot be fully deleted because the phone needs them to work. You can disable them to stop them from running, or remove them from your home screen. If you want to delete a third-party app you installed yourself, you can always uninstall it completely.
Will deleting an app stop it from tracking me?
Deleting an app stops it from collecting new data on your phone. However, the company may still have data they collected before you deleted it. To reduce tracking, you can also turn off location services, disable app permissions in Settings, or clear your browsing history in your phone's browser.
What if I delete an app by accident?
You can reinstall it from Google Play Store or the App Store. Search for the app by name and tap Install or the download icon. You will need to log in again, but any data the company stored on their servers will still be there.
Does deleting an app free up storage space right away?
Yes. The space is available immediately after you uninstall. You can check your available storage in Settings under Storage or Device Care on Android, or General then iPhone Storage on iPhone.