The fastest way to delete an app
Press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap Remove App. A second menu will ask whether you want to remove it from the home screen only or delete it entirely from your iPad. Choose Remove from iPad to delete it completely, or Remove from Home Screen to keep it in your library but hide it from view.
This method works on any iPad running iPadOS 13 or later. The app disappears immediately, though you can reinstall it later from the App Store without paying again if it was free or if you purchased it before.
If you have multiple apps to delete, you can speed up the process by tapping Edit in the top-left corner of your home screen instead. This puts your icons into edit mode, where you can tap the minus sign on each app you want to remove, then confirm the deletion.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon, then tap Remove App and choose Remove from iPad to delete it completely.
- Removing an app from your home screen only hides it from view but keeps it stored on your iPad; you must choose Remove from iPad to actually delete it.
- You can reinstall any app you delete later from the App Store at no additional cost if it was free or if you already purchased it.
- Use edit mode by tapping Edit in the top-left corner of your home screen to delete multiple apps faster.
Understanding the difference between removing and deleting
iPad gives you two options when you remove an app, and they do different things. Remove from Home Screen takes the icon off your home screen and any folders you've placed it in, but the app stays on your iPad taking up storage space. You can still find it by searching with Spotlight (swipe down from the top of your screen and type the app name) or by scrolling through your App Library.
Remove from iPad deletes the app entirely, freeing up the storage space it was using. This is the option most people want when they say they're deleting an app. After you choose it, the app is gone from your home screen, your App Library, and your iPad's storage.
The distinction matters if you want to keep an app but just get it off your home screen to reduce clutter. Many people do this with apps they use rarely but don't want to reinstall later.
Deleting apps through the App Store
You can also delete an app by opening the App Store, tapping your profile icon in the top-right corner, and scrolling to find the app you want to remove. Tap the app name, then tap the cloud icon with a minus sign next to it. Confirm the deletion when prompted.
This method is slower than the home screen approach and is mainly useful if you want to manage your apps while browsing the App Store. Most people find the press-and-hold method on the home screen faster for everyday use.
Recovering an app you deleted by mistake
If you delete an app and change your mind, you can reinstall it from the App Store. Open the App Store, search for the app by name, and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow (or the price if it costs money). The app downloads and installs automatically.
If you paid for the app when you first bought it, you won't be charged again. The App Store remembers your purchase history. Free apps reinstall at no cost as well. Your app data may not return with the reinstall, though — many apps store their data on their own servers (like games that save your progress online) while others store it only on your device and lose it when you delete the app.
Deleting built-in Apple apps
Some apps that come with your iPad, like Stocks, Reminders, or Podcasts, can be deleted using the same press-and-hold method. Not all built-in apps allow deletion — core apps like Settings, App Store, and Safari cannot be removed.
If you delete a built-in app and want it back, you can reinstall it from the App Store just like any other app. Search for it by name and tap the cloud icon to restore it.
Freeing up storage space by deleting apps
Apps take up varying amounts of storage depending on their size. Games and photo editors tend to be large, while utility apps and note-taking apps are usually small. If your iPad is running low on storage, deleting large apps you no longer use is one way to free up space.
To see how much space each app is using, go to Settings, tap General, then tap iPad Storage. This screen shows every app on your iPad ranked by size. Tap any app to see options for offloading it (removing the app but keeping its data) or deleting it entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting an app remove all my data from it?
Usually yes, but it depends on the app. Apps that save data to the cloud — like email, cloud storage, or online games — keep your data on their servers, so reinstalling the app will restore your information. Apps that save data only on your iPad lose that data when you delete them. Check the app's settings before deleting if you're unsure where your data is stored.
Can I delete multiple apps at once?
Yes. Tap Edit in the top-left corner of your home screen to enter edit mode, then tap the minus sign on each app you want to delete. Confirm each deletion, or tap Remove from iPad for each one. This is faster than deleting apps one at a time with the press-and-hold method.
What happens if I delete an app I paid for?
You can reinstall it from the App Store without paying again. Your purchase is tied to your Apple ID, not to the app being on your device. The App Store will show a cloud icon instead of a price when you search for it again, indicating you've already purchased it.
Why can't I delete some apps?
Apple doesn't allow deletion of system apps that iPad needs to function, like Settings, App Store, and Safari. You can remove some built-in apps like Stocks or Reminders, but the core system apps must stay on your device.
Does deleting an app free up storage space immediately?
Yes. Once you confirm the deletion, the app and its data are removed from your iPad's storage right away. You'll see the freed-up space reflected in your iPad Storage settings within moments.