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Quick answer: Touch and hold the app icon, tap Remove App, then tap Delete App to confirm.
Deleting apps on iPad you no longer use frees up storage and keeps your Home Screen clutter-free. Before you start, remember to cancel any in-app subscriptions you don't need — deleting an app won't stop the charges.
In this article, I'll walk you through how to permanently delete apps from iPad, how to remove apps while keeping their data, and how to clear an app off the Home Screen without uninstalling it.
| What's wrong? | How to solve it |
| Need to quickly delete an app | Delete from the Home Screen |
| Running out of storage from large apps | Delete from Settings |
| Want to organize and delete multiple apps | Activate Jiggle mode |
| Struggling to manage hidden or rarely used apps | Use the App Library |
| Need to delete multiple apps efficiently | Use AnyTrans for iOS from Setapp* for bulk deletions |
| Want to free up space without losing app data | Offload apps |
*Setapp is a subscription with 300+ Mac apps and a free 7-day trial.
The most straightforward way to delete an app on iPad is by long-pressing its icon on the Home Screen. Can't spot the icon? Swipe down to open Spotlight, type the app's name, long-press it in the results, and choose Delete App.
Long-pressing activates a pop-up menu. From there, pick the option that works best for you:
If you've already hidden an app from the Home Screen, you can still remove it from Settings. You can also remove space-hungry apps straight from here:
Settings is the best place to delete apps when you're low on storage — it lists apps by size, so you can spot the biggest offenders fast. Avoid deleting pre-installed Apple apps here, as removing them can break system features like iCloud sync or device configuration.
Jiggle mode (sometimes called "wiggle mode") lets you rearrange or delete app icons on Apple devices. You activate it with a long press on any blank area of the Home Screen. Once the icons start shaking, Jiggle mode is on.
To delete an app using Jiggle mode:
In App Library, touch and hold the app you want to remove, tap Delete App, and confirm — that's all there is to it. (App Library, introduced in iPadOS 15, groups every installed app, even ones you keep off the Home Screen, so they're always easy to find.)
Here's the full process:
Once you remove an app from iPad, you can always reinstall it from the App Store later.
The average person has 80-plus apps installed on their device. I’m no exception, as I use a lot of apps for work. Sometimes, I install apps just to test their features and then never use them again. Over time, they can take up valuable storage space and leave my iPad running out of room. That's where AnyTrans for iOS, an iOS device manager from Setapp, comes in. It lets you manage your iPad's apps, backups, and transfers from your Mac.
Here's how to delete apps in bulk with AnyTrans:
Bulk deletion saves real time when you're clearing out a cluttered device.
Don't currently use an app but don't want to lose its data or images? There's a special option called "offloading."
To offload an app:
Offloading removes an app from your iPad so it no longer uses storage space, while keeping its data. Your settings, configurations, and passwords stay saved — ready to go if you reinstall the app later.
You can delete many built-in Apple apps the same way you delete any other app, and you can tuck the rest into the App Library. Some apps, such as Photos, Camera, and Settings, can't be deleted.
According to Apple Support, you can delete these built-in apps (the list varies by iPadOS version):f
| Apple TV | Calendar | Clock | Files |
| Home | iTunes Store | Measure | |
| Notes | Reminders | Shortcuts | Stocks |
| Tips | Voice Memos | Wallet | Weather |
If you'd rather not see these icons, move them into the App Library or a hidden folder instead of deleting them.
Read also: iPad models by year
If the Delete option is missing, one of these is usually the reason:
If everything else fails, try these two reliable fixes:
After you clear the cause, delete the app as usual: touch and hold the icon > Remove App > Delete App.
I don’t have children yet, but I understand how important it is for parents to manage their kids’ devices, keep them safe, and limit access to inappropriate content. If you’re a parent, learning how to delete apps from your child’s iPad can help you maintain better control over what they can access.
First, make sure Screen Time allows app deletion:
Now remove apps as usual: touch and hold the icon > Remove App > Delete App. Want to keep the app but hide it? Choose Remove from Home Screen instead.
Each method covered here works — pick whichever fits your situation. Use the Home Screen or App Library for quick one-off deletions, Settings when storage is the issue, and AnyTrans for iOS when you need to manage apps in bulk. Whichever route you take, you now have everything you need to keep your iPad running lean.
Delete one app by hand. Delete many from your Mac. AnyTrans for iOS is in Setapp with 300+ other apps. Free for 7 days. Start My 7-Day Trial.
No. Deleting an app doesn't cancel any subscriptions tied to it. You'll keep getting charged until you cancel manually. Go to Settings, tap your name > Subscriptions, choose the subscription, and tap Cancel Subscription before removing the app.
Yes. Any app you delete stays available in the App Store. Just search for it and reinstall — apps you previously downloaded show a cloud icon. If you offloaded the app instead of deleting it, tapping its greyed-out icon restores it along with all your saved data.
Can I install apps on my iPad from Mac?
Yes, you can easily do it with AnyTrans for iOS:
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