The Basic Steps to Remove an App

To delete an app on a tablet, press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap 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 less than a minute.

On an iPad, hold your finger on the app icon until a menu pops up with options. Look for "Remove App" and tap it, then confirm by selecting "Remove from Home Screen" (if you want to keep it in your library) or "Delete App" (to remove it entirely). On an Android tablet, long-press the app icon until a menu appears, then drag it to a trash or remove icon at the top of the screen, or tap "Uninstall" if that option shows up.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPad, hold the app icon until a menu appears, then tap "Remove App" and choose whether to keep it in your library or delete it completely.
  • On Android tablets, long-press the app icon and either drag it to the trash icon or tap "Uninstall" from the menu that appears.
  • Removing an app from your home screen does not delete it from your device if you choose "Remove from Home Screen" on iPad.
  • If an app will not delete, check your device settings to see whether parental controls or device management restrictions are blocking removal.

Deleting Apps on iPad

Start by locating the app you want to remove on your home screen. Press and hold your finger directly on the app icon—do not tap it. After about one second, a menu will appear with several options. Look for the option that says "Remove App" and tap it.

A second menu will appear asking what you want to do. If you tap "Remove from Home Screen," the app stays on your iPad but disappears from the home screen—you can still find it in the App Library. If you tap "Delete App," the app is removed from your iPad entirely, and you will need to read it again from the App Store if you change your mind. Choose whichever option matches what you want.

Deleting Apps on Android Tablets

Find the app on your home screen and press your finger on it without lifting. Hold it there for a second or two until a menu appears or the app becomes highlighted. Some Android tablets show a menu with an "Uninstall" option—if you see it, tap that option and confirm the removal.

On other Android tablets, you may see a trash or remove icon appear at the top of the screen. While still holding your finger on the app, drag it upward to that trash icon and release. The app will be removed from your device. If neither of these methods works on your tablet, try opening your Settings app, finding Apps or process Manager, selecting the app you want to remove, and tapping "Uninstall."

When an App Will Not Delete

Some apps cannot be deleted because they came with your tablet as system apps. On iPad, these are apps like Settings, Messages, and Camera—they will not show a "Delete App" option when you hold them. You can only remove them from your home screen. On Android, system apps also cannot be deleted, though you may be able to disable them through Settings.

If a removable app will not delete, parental controls or device management settings may be blocking it. On iPad, go to Settings, tap Screen Time, and check whether app deletion is restricted. On Android, go to Settings, find Security or Device Administration, and look for any apps listed as device administrators—remove that status first, then try deleting the app again. If you are using a work or school tablet, contact your IT department, as they may have locked certain apps to prevent removal.

Freeing Up Storage Space

Deleting apps is one of the fastest ways to free up storage on your tablet. Each app takes up space, and some large apps (like games or video editors) can use several gigabytes. When you delete an app, that space becomes available again for photos, documents, or other apps.

To see how much space each app is using, go to Settings on your iPad and tap General, then iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage). On Android, go to Settings, find Storage or Apps, and look for app sizes listed there. Apps at the top of the list are using the most space. Removing even two or three large apps can free up enough room to improve your tablet's speed and performance.

Reinstalling a Deleted App

If you delete an app and later want it back, you can read it again for free if it was a free app, or you may need to pay again if it was a paid app. On iPad, open the App Store app, search for the app by name, and tap the cloud icon with a downward arrow to reinstall it. On Android, open the Google Play Store, search for the app, and tap "Install."

Your data inside the app may or may not be saved depending on the app. Some apps back up your progress to the cloud, so reinstalling brings back your saved games or settings. Others store everything only on your device, so reinstalling gives you a fresh start. Check the app's description in the store to see whether it mentions cloud backup or data syncing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting an app from my home screen remove it from my tablet?

On iPad, "Remove from Home Screen" keeps the app on your device but hides it from view—you can find it in the App Library. "Delete App" removes it entirely. On Android, the process usually removes the app completely, though some system apps can only be disabled, not deleted.

Can I delete apps that came with my tablet?

Most system apps (like Settings or Camera) cannot be deleted on either iPad or Android. You can remove them from your home screen, but they stay on your device. If you want to remove a system app on Android, you may be able to disable it through Settings, which hides it from use without deleting it.

What happens to my data if I delete an app?

Data stored only within the app is usually lost when you delete it. However, if the app backs up your data to the cloud or syncs it to an online account, that data may be restored when you reinstall the app. Check the app's settings before deleting to see whether it offers cloud backup.

Why is my app not deleting?

Parental controls, device management restrictions, or work/school policies may block app deletion. Check Settings for Screen Time (iPad) or Device Administration (Android) to see whether restrictions are active. If you are using a managed device, contact your IT department.

Can I delete multiple apps at once?

On iPad, you can enter edit mode by holding an app icon and tapping "Edit Home Screen," then tap other apps to select them and delete multiple apps together. On most Android tablets, you must delete apps one at a time through the home screen or Settings.