What to Know
- Some apps (the App Store, Photos, Safari, Messages, etc.) cannot be deleted.
- However, Screen Time settings may be to blame when your iPhone cannot delete apps.
- You can go into Settings, tap Screen Time, then Content & Privacy Restrictions, tap iTunes & App Store Purchases, then allow Deleting Apps.
Why can't I delete apps on my iPhone? While some important system apps cannot be deleted, this is a common problem, and it's often fixed with a very simple solution. We'll show you how to delete apps on an iPhone or iPad when tapping the minus icon doesn't do the trick.
Jump To:
- Why Can’t I Delete Apps on My iPhone or iPad?
- How to Disable Content & Privacy Restrictions
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Can’t I Delete Apps on My iPhone or iPad?
If you're here, you probably already know how to delete apps on iPhone the standard way, but it's not working. It's important to note that some apps cannot be deleted from your iPhone. This includes the App Store, the Photos app, Messages, Camera, Safari, and any other native Apple app that is critical to your device's functionality. However, if you're asking, "why can't I delete apps on my iPhone?", Content & Privacy Restrictions may be to blame. For more iPhone troubleshooting tips, be sure to check out our free Tip of the Day newsletter. Now, here's how to delete apps on an iPhone or iPad that isn't letting you:
- Open the Settings app, and tap Screen Time.
![iphone settings with screen time circled in red]()
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. You may be prompted to enter your Screen Time passcode.
![iphone screen time settings with content and privacy restrictions circled in red]()
- Select iTunes & App Store Purchases.
![iphone content and privacy restrictions with itunes and app store purchases circled in red]()
- Tap Deleting Apps.
![itunes and app store purchases settings with delete apps circled in red]()
- Tap Allow.
![itunes and app store purchases delete apps settings with allow circled in red]()
You'll see a blue checkmark appear next to Allow, and at this point you can leave the Settings app and try deleting apps again. It's a simple solution, but most of the time this is all it takes to fix the issue. Still having trouble? Try restarting your iPhone or iPad and give it another go. If you're having trouble finding apps on your iPad, they may not be listed on your Home screen, but you can find them in your iPad app library.
Can't Delete Apps on iPhone? How to Disable Content & Privacy Restrictions
Still can't delete apps on your iPhone? If you don't care to have any restrictions in place for content, you can simply disable the feature altogether. This can help with any further issues you are having with apps that won't delete from your iPhone:
- Open the Settings app and tap Screen Time.
![iphone settings with screen time circled in red]()
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
![iphone screen time settings with content and privacy restrictions circled in red]()
- Tap the toggle next to Content & Privacy Restrictions.
![iphone content and privacy restrictions with green toggle at the top of the menu circled in red]()
- When the Content & Privacy Restrictions feature is disabled, the toggle will be gray.
![iphone content and privacy restrictions with gray toggle at the top of the menu circled in red]()
These are two very simple ways to fix when you can't delete apps on iPhone. Now you should have the freedom to remove apps as you see fit! If you want to delete apps because you're worried about the data they are collecting on you, you can learn how to prevent apps from tracking you without having to delete them.
FAQ
- Why isn't my iPhone letting me delete apps? As explained above, your Screen Time settings may be preventing you from deleting apps. However, if you are trying to delete a system app, your iPhone will not let you. This includes the Settings app, Messages, Phone, Camera, Safari, the App Store, and others.
- How do I permanently delete an app from my iPhone and iCloud? There are multiple ways to uninstall apps. Check out our guide on how to delete apps on iPhone for the most common methods. You can also go into Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage, and tap the app you wish to delete. Then, tap the Delete App button.
