Removing unwanted apps from your iPad can help free up storage space and declutter your home screen. Whether you want to permanently delete an app or just offload it temporarily, there are several methods available in iPadOS. This guide will walk you through the various ways to remove apps from your iPad, along with tips for managing your device storage.
Deleting Apps from the Home Screen
The quickest way to remove an app from your iPad is directly from the home screen:
Step 1: Locate the app you want to delete on your home screen.
Step 2: Tap and hold the app icon until a menu appears.
Step 3: Tap “Remove App” from the menu.
Step 4: Choose “Delete App” to completely remove it, or “Remove from Home Screen” to keep it in the App Library.
Step 5: Confirm by tapping “Delete” in the pop-up dialog.
For deleting multiple apps at once:
Step 1: Tap and hold an empty area of the home screen until the apps start to jiggle.
Step 2: Tap the minus (-) icon on the apps you want to remove.
Step 3: Choose “Delete App” for each one you want to remove completely.
Step 4: Tap “Done” in the top-right corner when finished.
Using the App Library to Remove Apps
The App Library, introduced in iPadOS 14, offers another way to manage and delete your apps:
Step 1: Swipe left on your home screen until you reach the App Library.
Step 2: Use the search bar at the top to find the app you want to delete.
Step 3: Tap and hold the app icon in the search results.
Step 4: Select “Delete App” from the menu that appears.
Step 5: Confirm by tapping “Delete” in the pop-up dialog.
This method is particularly useful for removing apps that aren’t visible on your home screens.
Removing Apps via Settings
For a more systematic approach to freeing up storage space:
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPad.
Step 2: Go to General > iPad Storage.
Step 3: Wait for the list of apps to load, sorted by size.
Step 4: Tap on an app you want to remove.
Step 5: Select “Delete App” and confirm your choice.
This method provides additional information about each app’s storage usage, helping you make informed decisions about which apps to remove.
Offloading Apps to Save Space
If you want to free up storage without losing an app’s data, consider offloading:
Step 1: Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage.
Step 2: Tap on the app you want to offload.
Step 3: Select “Offload App” and confirm.
Offloading removes the app but keeps its documents and data. The app’s icon remains on your home screen with a cloud symbol, allowing you to quickly reinstall it later.
Managing Built-in Apple Apps
While many built-in Apple apps can be deleted, some core apps like Safari, Messages, and Settings cannot be removed. For removable Apple apps:
Step 1: Tap and hold the app icon on the home screen.
Step 2: Select “Delete App” from the menu.
Step 3: Confirm the deletion.
Remember that deleting built-in apps may affect system functionality or other apps that rely on them.
Troubleshooting App Deletion Issues
If you’re unable to delete apps, check your restrictions settings:
Step 1: Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Step 2: Tap on iTunes & App Store Purchases.
Step 3: Ensure “Deleting Apps” is set to “Allow”.
If Screen Time is off, this setting won’t appear, and you should be able to delete apps normally.
Regularly removing unused apps helps maintain your iPad’s performance and keeps your interface organized. Remember to back up important data before deleting apps, and consider offloading instead of deleting if you think you might need the app again in the future. With these methods, you can easily manage your iPad’s apps and storage to suit your needs.