The iPhone comes with a large number of integrated apps that are intended to make it easier to start using the Apple smartphone. However, not all users have use for all of the pre-installed apps, and there are also good alternatives for some of them. If you want to clear out the new iPhone and delete pre-installed iOS apps, you will find the right guide here. In the following you will not only learn how to App from the iPhone, but which Apple-integrated programs you can remove. By the way, this has been possible since iOS 10 (2016), with every new iOS version other removable programs are added - e.g. B.Health in iOS 16 (2022)
Chapter in this post:
Delete iPhone app: Here's how!
If you hold your finger on an app symbol, a context menu will appear after a short time, in which you will find the menu item “Remove app” in red letters at the bottom. If you tap on it, you can select "Delete app" and confirm this again with "Delete". Alternatively, the small minus symbol in the upper left corner of the app symbol can also be used (if available). Then the same messages and dialog boxes appear. The detailed instructions for deleting iPhone apps, including screenshots on the subject, can be found here: Guide to deleting apps on iPhone and iPad.
These pre-installed apps can be deleted from the iPhone
Deleting pre-installed apps from the iPhone works in the operating systems iOS 10 (2016), iOS 11 (2017), iOS 12 (2018), iOS 13 (2019), iOS 14 (2020), iOS 15 (2021), iOS 16 (2022) and newer. With almost every update, new integrated apps come onto the Apple smartphone, but also other entries on the list of programs that can be deleted. Below you will find the official support documents on the subject. But here is the current list of built-in apps that can be deleted from the device running iOS 14 or later:
- Activity
- Apple Books (cannot be used with CarPlay once deleted)
- calculator
- Calendar
- Compass
- Contacts (existing contact information remains stored in the phone app)
- FaceTime (FaceTime calls can still be started and answered using the Contacts or Phone app)
- files
- Home
- iTunes Store
- Maps (cannot be used with CarPlay once deleted)
- tape measure
- Music (cannot be used with CarPlay once deleted; some audio content may no longer work with XNUMXrd party apps, boxes and car stereos)
- News (if available)
- notes
- Podcasts (cannot be used with CarPlay once deleted)
- Memories
- shortcuts
- shares
- Tips
- Translate
- TV (if available)
- Videos
- Voice memos
- Watch app (if an Apple Watch is connected, you will be prompted to unpair the watch when deleting this app)
- Weather
Removable Apple apps coming to the list with iOS 16
In addition to the apps mentioned above, there will probably be other pre-installed applications from autumn 2022 that can be deleted from Apple smartphones. These include, according to the evaluation of Beta versions of the upcoming operating system, these three apps:
- Where is? (Used for the "Protection against theft and loss" addendum of AppleCare + needed)
- Clock (contains world clock, alarm clock, stopwatch and timer, so I don't think removing it makes sense)
- Health
Support documents on the topic
Deleting built-in Apple apps from iPhone is a topic covered in several support documents as well as iPhone's online manual. At the time this post went to press (before iOS 16 was released), I can offer you the following links on the subject:
- Delete built-in apps in iOS 14 or later: Document HT211833
- Delete built-in apps in iOS 12 or iOS 13: Document HT208094
- "Removing Apps from iPhone" in the manual: Access online here
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After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.