How To Remove Apps From Your iPhone Using the App Store for Beginners
How to Delete Apps on iPhone via the App Store (and other quick tips)
If you’ve ever wanted to tidy up your iPhone by removing apps you no longer use, you probably instinctively try to delete them from the home screen, but sometimes that’s not enough or doesn’t seem to work faster than you’d like. I ran into this myself—here’s where I got stuck for a bit: deleting apps directly from the App Store. Turns out, it’s doable, but there are some quirks, especially depending on your iOS version. So here’s what finally worked for me, and hopefully it helps someone else dodge the same confusion.
Getting to your app list through the App Store
The first step is opening the App Store app — the one with the blue background and the white “A” made of tools. Tap on your profile picture icon, usually at the top right. Be prepared for a wait if your Wi-Fi is slow or if your phone’s feeling sluggish—because sometimes it takes a little longer to load your account page. Sometimes I’ve noticed that navigating to Media & Purchases or iTunes & App Store in Settings can be a detour, especially if toggling Automatic Downloads off can help with app management lag, but whatever works.
Finding the list of your purchased or installed apps
Once you’re there, scroll down to where it says Purchased, All Purchases, or sometimes Updated Recently. Keep in mind, Apple updates the wording with each iOS version—I’ve seen “Purchased” turn into “My Purchases” or similar. This list contains everything tied to your Apple ID, including old free apps from years ago. It’s a mixed bag, but for deleting, that’s actually fine. It shows stuff even if the app isn’t on your home screen anymore—a little confusing at first, but useful.
How to delete apps from that list
Here’s where I struggled at first: finding the delete option. When you spot the app you want gone, swipe left on the entry. Sometimes, the swipe needs a bit of a two-finger tap or a slow swipe—touch sensitivity can be finicky. After swiping, a red Delete button should pop up. Tap it, and you’ll get a confirmation prompt. Be aware: deleting an app from this list removes it from your iPhone, but not necessarily from your purchase history. The warning here: if you delete it, any associated data or licenses may be lost—think BitLocker keys or app data that’s synced via iCloud or other cloud services. Also, sometimes the delete button doesn’t appear immediately, especially if your system is acting up or if your iOS version is older. I had to try a couple of times, and a quick restart sometimes cleared the weirdness.
What if the delete button isn’t showing up?
This was me scratching my head—if the swipe doesn’t work or the delete button is missing, try this: restart your phone. Sometimes the UI just glitches out, especially on older models or after a software update. Also, keep in mind that some system apps or apps tied to enterprise profiles might not show delete options here at all. You’d have to manage those through other means or might be blocked altogether.
Alternative: deleting from the home screen or app library
If the App Store method isn’t working or feels awkward, you can just delete apps directly from the home screen or app library. Long-press the app icon until a menu appears—sometimes it’s called Remove App or you see an “X” on the icon. Tap that, then confirm by hitting Delete. It sounds simple, but I’ve noticed sometimes the “X” isn’t visible unless you’re in wiggle mode. To get there, long-press and choose Edit Home Screen—then tap the “X” or delete option on the app icon. Honestly, I prefer using this method if I already know what I want gone; it’s faster on the fly.
Some important notes
Quick heads up: if you’re trying to delete apps in bulk or manage many at once, the Purchased list view can be helpful since it shows everything associated with your ID—even apps you’ve long since deleted from your home screen. Keep in mind, if you’re not careful, apps may still be installed on your device despite not showing on the main screen, especially if you use app library or have multiple home screens. Double-check by opening Settings > General > iPhone Storage — you can see exactly what apps are taking space.
Final thoughts — this experience was kinda frustrating but worth it
TL;DR: Open App Store, go to your profile, scroll down to Purchased, swipe left on apps to delete, and confirm. Or just long-press on apps on your home screen and select delete. Watch out for glitches, and sometimes a restart helps. Managing apps can be a pain if iOS is acting buggy or outdated, but eventually, it all clicks. Hope this helps—it took me way too long to figure out all these little quirks. Good luck, and don’t forget to double-check that important stuff like your backups before deleting anything critical. Anyway, hope this saves someone else a weekend.