Does Deleting an App Mean the Same Thing as Uninstalling It? A Guide for iPhone and Android

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Removing apps clears up storage and helps you keep your devices organized. While the app-managing processes are pretty straightforward for both iOS and Android devices, we’ll walk you through the steps and provide some tips and tricks for making sure your data is really cleared. Plus, we’ll clear up the confusing jargon of “delete” versus “install.” We cover iPhones first, so Android users, scroll down to find your guide!

Question 1 of 8:

Does deleting an app on iPhone uninstall it?

PDF download Download Article
  1. However, the app will still be linked with your Apple account through your purchase history. That means if you paid to purchase the app, you won’t have to pay again should you choose to reinstall it. [1]
    2. Advertisement
Question 2 of 8:

How do you delete apps on iPhone?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Press and hold the app icon. Then, hit “Remove.” Next, choose between “Delete App” and “Remove from Home Screen.” Deleting an app will erase all its data. [2]
    • Removing an app from the home screen (rather than deleting it) will send it to your app library. Access your app library by swiping left past all your home screens until you’re shown several folders of apps.
  2. Try this temporary method if you want to free up storage but still save your data associated with an app. Offloading apps means you won’t be able to open or use them, but your data will be preserved. Go to “Settings,” then hit “iPhone Storage.” Scroll through the apps until you find one to offload. Hit “Offload App”. [3]
    • If you redownload an offloaded app, all your app data and progress will still be there.
    3. Advertisement
Question 3 of 8:

How can I delete pre-installed apps on iOS devices?

PDF download Download Article
  1. On the home screen, touch and hold the app you’d like to delete until it starts to jiggle. Tap “Remove App.” Tap “Delete.” [4]
    • If you can’t delete the app, you can still hide the app. Just hit “Remove” and then “Remove from Home Screen.”
    • Deleting a pre-installed app will also delete it from your Apple Watch if you’ve paired the devices.
Question 4 of 8:

How do you remove apps from iCloud's purchase history?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Go to the app store and click your profile icon in the upper right hand corner. Click “Purchased” to see your apps. Swipe left on any app you’d like to hide from your purchase history. The option to hide will pop up. Tap the “hide” icon, then tap “done.” [5]
    • If you use Family Sharing, the app won’t appear for your family to download and won’t appear in their purchases.
    2. Advertisement
Question 5 of 8:

Does uninstalling an app on Android delete it?

PDF download Download Article
  1. When you remove an app you purchased, you can still reinstall it without having to pay again. [6] However, deleting apps on Android won’t always delete all of the app’s files and associated data. Take these steps before you delete an Android app in order to fully uninstall it: [7]
    • Go to your device’s “Settings” and select “Apps & notifications.”
    • Find the app you want to uninstall, and hit “Storage.”
    • Select “Clear data” and “Clear cache.”
    • If your app has a “Manage data” option (for bookmarks, stored passwords, etc.), clear that data, too.
Question 6 of 8:

How do you delete apps on Android?

PDF download Download Article
  1. This method works on all Android phones. Click “Apps & notifications” (or it might just say “Apps”). Locate the app you want to delete. Select the app, tap on “Uninstall,” and hit “OK.” [8]
  2. This option is great for removing multiple apps at one time. Open the Play Store, tap your account profile, and hit “Manage apps & device.” Then select the “Manage” tab. Click the check box next to the apps you want to uninstall. Tap the trash can icon, and select "Uninstall" to delete the apps. [9]
  3. This is a quick and easy option that works for apps both on the home screen and in the drawer. Tap and hold the apps you want to get rid of and drag them to the “Uninstall” area that will pop up on the screen. Click “OK.” [10]
    4. Advertisement
Question 7 of 8:

How can I delete pre-installed apps on Android?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Disabling apps means they’ll revert back to their original version and never run. While they stay installed, they take up less space. Here’s how to do it: [11]
    • Go to “Settings,” then “Apps & notifications.”
    • Hit “See all apps.”
    • Find the app you’d like to disable and click it.
    • Tap “Disable” under the app name and you’re done!
Question 8 of 8:

Can you remove apps from Google Play's purchase history?

PDF download Download Article
  1. The only way to delete your Google Play purchase history is to delete your Google account. [12] Deleting your Google Account will delete all your data and content, too (like emails, photos, and files). You’ll no longer be able to use other Google services associated with that account, like Gmail. Here's how to delete your account: [13]
    • Go to https://myaccount.google.com/
    • Hit “Data and personalization.”
    • Scroll until you see “Download, delete, or make a plan for your data.”
    • Hit "Delete service or your account."
    • Click "Delete your account."
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Add Widgets on Android
      How to
      Check What Android Version You Have
      How to
      Add an App Back to Home Screen: Tips for Finding Apps
      4 Simple Ways to Turn Off Safe Mode on Any Android
      3 Ways to Unlock an Android Tablet
      How to
      Find Your Phone Number on Android
      How to
      Block All Incoming Calls on an Android Phone
      How to
      Connect Android Phone to Computer
      How to
      Hide Apps on Android
      How to
      Copy an Entire Text Conversation on Android
      How to
      Change Number of Rings on Android
      How to
      Disable Parental Controls on Android
      A Guide to Copying and Pasting with the Android Clipboard
      6 Ways to Fix "Insufficient Storage Available" on an Android
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iph248b543ca/ios
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/remove-apps-iph248b543ca/ios
      3. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-214936/
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211833
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201322
      6. ↑ https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2521768?hl=en
      7. ↑ ​​ https://support.google.com/android/answer/13627402?hl=en
      8. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/4-ways-to-delete-all-those-android-apps-you-downloaded-on-a-whim-and-never-use/
      9. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/13627402?hl=en
      1. ↑ https://www.androidpolice.com/how-to-delete-samsung-apps/
      2. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/how-to-remove-or-disable-embedded-apps/
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kInr0HlIwe8&t=92s
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/32046?hl=en

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 76,345 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement