How To Delete Apps On Iphone That Won't Delete

Why Can't I Delete Apps on iPhone and How to Fix?

I can't delete apps on my iPhone. Many users have the same question. This post offers some tips to fix can't delete apps on iPhone iPad even when updated to the latest iOS 15. Just read it to know how to delete apps on iPhone iPad successfully.

Common iOS Tips & Tricks

why can't I delete an app on my iPhone?After updating to the newly released iOS 15 Beta, some users reported they couldn't delete apps on iPhone. "I cannot delete apps from iPhone 11 after updating to iOS 15 Beta. Tried to delete using iCloud but that didn't work either. Why can't I delete apps on my iPhone and how to fix the annoying issue?"

Actually, this is one of the common iOS update problems you may meet after updating to iOS 15. And in the previous iOS 14 update, some iPhone users have ever got a similar app deleting issue. In this post, we explainwhy I can't delete an app on my iPhone and accordingly offer several methods for deleting apps, not on the home screen.

Why Can't I Delete an App on My iPhone?
How to Delete Apps via Spotlight iOS 15
How to Delete Apps on iPhone iOS 15 in One-Click
Other Ways to Delete an App on iPhone That You Can't Find
Bonus Tip. How to Backup Apps Before Deleting

Why Can't I Delete an App on My iPhone?

You can't delete an app on your iPhone indicates that you fail todelete apps not on the home screen by tapping and holding the app icon.Normally, you can only delete third-party apps but are not allowed to delete built-in apps such as Messages, Photos,Cameras, etc.Additionally, other restrictions might prevent you from deleting apps.

The apps are restricted by Screen Time.
The apps are restricted byMobile Device Management (MDM).
The app hasn't been downloaded or installed completely yet.

How to Delete Apps with Spotlight on iOS 15

Spotlight is used for people to search for apps or information on iPhone. In the new iOS 15, you can also delete apps using Spotlight on your iPhone. Here is how:

Open Spotlight on your iOS 15 iPhone, and type for the app name you want to delete.
When it shows, press and hold on the app's icon.
Choose Delete App.
Now tap the Delete to confirm.
The app will be deleted from your iOS 15.

How to Bulk Delete Apps on iPhone iOS 15

If you cannot delete apps in iOS 15 on your iPhone, and long-press an app on the home screen but nothing happens, or you want to remove the apps from your iPhone in bulk. Here is software that can help you successfully remove the app easily. AnyTrans is a professional and wonderful iOS data manager, including apps, photos, music, texts, etc. With it, you can delete or uninstall an app or all apps in one click. So, if you're facing apps not deleting, it can solve this problem for you.

Besides, it allows you to transfer apps from iPhone/iPad to computer, and vice versa. What's more, you can download any apps and build your own App Library.

Now, get the latest version of AnyTrans on your Windows PC/Mac, and quickly delete apps on iPhone iPad:

Step 1. Click Apps to Manage

Launch AnyTrans > Head to Device Manager.
Click the Apps category to preview all apps on your device.

Go to Device Manager and Click Apps Category

Step 2. Delete the App Not Deleting on iPhone

All your apps are listed here, including version, app size, etc.
Select the app that won't delete on your iPhone iOS 15 (we take the Widgetsmith app as an example) > Click the Delete button. Also, you can click Uninstall button.

Confirm to Permanently Delete the App on iPhone

Step 3. Confirm to Delete the Selected App

Then AnyTrans will pop up the window to let you confirm whether to permanently delete the selected apps.
Click Yes to permanently delete the app.

Select an App on Your iPhone and Click Delete Button

Next, you can check your iPhone, where your app was successfully deleted. Besides, since hidden apps on iPhone cannot be get rid of on home screen, you can also use AnyTrans to delete hidden apps on iPhone.Download AnyTrans to manage and delete apps on your iPhone/iPad with 1 click now. New iPhone 12, iPad Pro and iOS 15 are supported.

Other Ways to Delete an App on iPhone That You Can't Find

Method 1. Delete Apps on iPhone

You may have found you can't delete apps easily on your iPhone 7 or iPhone 8/X/11/12 with the 3D-Touch feature. Because when you press an app, it brings you to 3D touch menu, instead of showing you the "X". In this situation, just gently put your finger on the icon without pressing down to delete or move apps.

Method 2. Check Restriction for Deleting Apps

The reason why can't delete apps on your iPhone is that you restrict deleting apps. Nobody could remove apps on your device if you don't allow "deleting apps" on Restrictions. Check whether you allow "deleting apps":

Go to Settings > Click Screen Time.
Find and click Content & Privacy Restrictions > Tap on iTunes & App Store Purchases.
Check if the Deleting Apps is Allowed. If no, enter it and choose Allow option.

Check Restriction for Deleting Apps

You May Like: Forget Restrictions Password on iPhone iPad >

Method 3. Delete Apps from App Library iOS 15

How to delete apps from App Library iOS 15?

Swipe left to open App Library.
Search and find the app you want to delete.
Tap and hold the app > Click Delete App.

Delete Apps from App Library

Method 4. Remove Built-in Apps on iPhone/iPad

Usually, we can tap and hold on to apps to remove the apps on our iPhone iPad. And the latest iOS 15 enables us to remove some built-in apps. But you should know there are still some default apps that you cannot delete, including Messages, Phone, Settings, Safari, Clock, Camera, Photos, App Store, Health, Wallet, and Find iPhone.

Remove Built-in Apps on iPhone

Method 5. Delete Waiting Apps

Sometimes, your apps may be stuck on waiting when you install or update them, and you cannot delete them. For this issue, you can refer to How to Fix iPhone Apps Stuck on Waiting.

Method 6. Remove Apps by Settings

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
Find the app you want to remove and tap on it, tap "Delete App".

Remove Apps by Settings

Method 7. Remove Apps on iPhone iPad with PhoneClean

If all the above methods can't help you delete apps on your iOS device, you can have a try on PhoneClean. This tool enables you 1-click to remove multiple apps on your iPhone. Below are the steps that you can follow to manage your iPhone storage and delete apps with PhoneClean.

Download and install PhoneClean on your computer.
Connect your iOS device to computer with a cable, run PhoneClean, and click Toolbox > App Clean.
Select the unwanted apps, and click the Trash icon on the top right corner to remove the selected apps from your iPhone.

Remove iOS Apps with PhoneClean

Other Methods

You can try some basic tips to fix your "iOS app deleting" problems, such as restart your device or Force-Restart, restore your device, and delete iPhone iPad apps with iTunes.

Also Read: How to Delete Voicemail on iPhone >

Bonus Tip. How to Backup Apps Before Deleting

Before you try the forced restart or factory reset and other methods, it is best to back up the apps that you don't want to delete from your iPhone. Since this will erase all your apps and data on your iPhone and you have to download those apps from the App store one by one. Here, we recommend a special Apps backup software for you called AppTrans that helps you back up apps or app data on Android or iOS devices with just a few clicks.

Please free download AppTrans and follow the steps below to make a backup of your apps and app data:

Step 1. Launch AppTrans on your computer > Choose the App Backup option on the left control panel and then click on the Back Up Now button.

App Backup Overview

Step 2. Connect your iOS or Android device to the computer > Tap on Back Up Now button.

Connect iPhone to the Computer

Step 3. Select the apps that you want to backup and you can choose to backup both app and app Data only backup app by tapping on the button at the lower right corner.

Choose Apps to Make a Backup

Step 4. Now AppTrans is downloading your iPhone's apps and app data. It may take some time to complete the backup process based on the amount of device data. Please keep patient.

Back up the App to Computer

The Bottom Line

That's all for some efficient ways to delete apps on iPhone iPad. With AnyTrans, you can easily fix iPhone not deleting apps on iOS 15 and help you successfully delete apps with simple steps. Besides deleting apps, we provide you with some other tips to free up space on your iPhone iPad. If you got further ideas or any questions about this tip, feel free to leave your comments below.

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Member of iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS & Android related issues.