The fastest way to remove an app

On most tablets, you delete an app by pressing and holding its icon on the home screen until a menu appears, then tapping the remove or delete option. The exact wording and steps depend on whether you use an iPad or an Android tablet, but both methods take under a minute.

The app is removed from your home screen when ready, though the files may stay on your device until you clear storage space. If you change your mind, you can reinstall the app later from the App Store (iPad) or Google Play Store (Android) at no cost, as long as it was free originally.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPad, press and hold the app icon until a menu appears, then tap "Remove App" and confirm by tapping "Remove from Home Screen" or "Delete App."
  • On Android tablets, press and hold the app icon, then drag it to the "Uninstall" or trash icon that appears at the top of the screen.
  • Deleting an app from your home screen does not always remove all its files from your tablet; use Settings to fully uninstall if you want to free up storage.
  • You can reinstall any free app you delete by opening the App Store or Google Play Store and searching for it again.
  • Some apps that came with your tablet cannot be deleted, only hidden or disabled through Settings.

Deleting apps on iPad

Press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a dark menu appears with several options. Look for "Remove App" near the bottom of the menu and tap it. A second screen will ask whether you want to remove it from the home screen only or delete it entirely from your iPad.

If you tap "Remove from Home Screen," the app stays on your device but disappears from view. If you tap "Delete App," you will see another confirmation asking if you are sure. Tap "Delete" to confirm, and the app is removed.

Some built-in Apple apps like Mail, Calendar, and Maps cannot be deleted this way. Instead, you will see an option to "Remove from Home Screen" only. These apps can be hidden but not fully removed.

Deleting apps on Android tablets

Press and hold the app icon on your home screen until it becomes highlighted and the screen changes. You will see an "Uninstall" button or trash icon appear, usually at the top of the screen. Drag the app icon upward to that trash icon and release it.

A confirmation message will ask if you want to uninstall the app. Tap "OK" or "Uninstall" to finish. The app is then removed from your tablet.

If dragging does not work on your tablet, try right-clicking the app icon (if your tablet has a stylus or mouse) or look for an "Uninstall" option in the menu that appears when you press and hold. Different Android tablets sometimes use slightly different steps, so check your tablet's manual if the drag method does not respond.

Fully removing app files from storage

When you delete an app from your home screen, the app's files may still take up storage space on your tablet. To completely remove these files, go to your tablet's Settings, find the Apps or process Manager section, locate the app you want to remove, and tap "Uninstall."

On iPad, open Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage). Scroll down to find the app and tap it. You will see an "Offload App" option, which removes the app but keeps your data, or "Delete App," which removes everything. On Android, the process is similar: Settings > Apps > select the app > Uninstall.

Fully uninstalling through Settings frees up the most storage space and is the best choice if you want to reclaim room on your tablet.

Apps you cannot delete

Tablets come with some built-in apps that the manufacturer does not allow you to delete. On iPad, these include Safari, Mail, Calendar, Photos, and Camera. On Android tablets, the list varies by manufacturer but usually includes the Play Store, Settings, and the tablet's default launcher.

You cannot remove these apps, but you can hide them from your home screen. On iPad, press and hold the icon and choose "Remove from Home Screen." On Android, the same method works. The app stays on your device but is no longer visible unless you search for it or dig into your app library.

Reinstalling an app you deleted

If you delete an app and later want it back, you can reinstall it for free if it was originally free. Open the App Store on iPad or Google Play Store on Android, search for the app by name, and tap the read or install button. The app will reappear on your home screen within a few minutes.

If the app cost money when you first bought it, you will not be charged again. Your purchase history is tied to your Apple ID or Google account, so the store recognizes that you already own it.

Freeing up storage space by removing apps

Apps take up varying amounts of storage depending on what they do. Games and photo editors tend to be large, while straightforward tools like calculators or note-taking apps are small. If your tablet is running slowly or you are running out of storage, deleting large apps you no longer use is one of the fastest ways to free up space.

To see how much space each app uses, go to Settings on your iPad or Android tablet and look for Storage or iPhone/iPad Storage. The list will show each app and its size. Delete the largest apps you do not use regularly to make the most difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting an app erase my data or accounts?

Deleting the app removes the program itself, but data saved within the app may stay on your tablet. If you want to remove everything, use the full uninstall option in Settings. If you reinstall the app later, you may be able to recover your data if it was backed up to your account.

Can I delete multiple apps at once?

On iPad, you can select multiple apps by tapping the Edit button in the top corner of your home screen, then tapping each app you want to remove. On Android, you must delete apps one at a time from the home screen, though you can uninstall several quickly by going to Settings and removing them in sequence.

What happens if I delete a system app by mistake?

You cannot delete most system apps, so this is unlikely. If you somehow disabled a built-in app through Settings, go back to Settings, find the app, and tap "Enable" to turn it back on. If you deleted a regular app, straightforward reinstall it from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Does deleting an app free up storage when ready?

Removing an app from your home screen frees up space right away, but the full uninstall through Settings may take a few seconds to complete. Your tablet will show the freed-up space in Storage settings once the process is done.

Can I hide an app instead of deleting it?

Yes. On iPad, press and hold the app and choose "Remove from Home Screen" to hide it without deleting it. On Android, the same method works. The app stays on your device and can be found through search or your app library, but it will not clutter your home screen.