The fastest way to remove an app depends on your tablet's operating system
On most tablets, you delete an app by pressing and holding its icon on the home screen until a menu appears, then selecting the delete or remove option. The exact steps and wording differ between iPad and Android tablets, and the process takes less than a minute. Once deleted, the app is gone from your device, though you can reinstall it later from the app store if you change your mind.
Removing apps frees up storage space on your tablet and cleans up your home screen. Some people delete apps they no longer use; others delete them to troubleshoot problems or to remove software that came pre-installed on the device.
Key Takeaways
- iPad users press and hold an app icon, tap "Remove App," then confirm by tapping "Remove from Home Screen" or "Delete App" depending on iOS version.
- Android tablet users press and hold an app icon, then drag it to an "Uninstall" or trash icon that appears at the top of the screen.
- Some pre-installed apps on Android tablets cannot be deleted, only disabled, which hides them from your home screen.
- Deleting an app removes it from your device but does not erase your account or data associated with that app on company servers.
- You can reinstall any app you delete by returning to the app store and downloading it again.
How to delete an app on iPad
Press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu pops up. The menu will show several options. Tap "Remove App." A second menu will appear asking you to confirm. On newer iPad models running iPadOS 16 or later, you will see "Remove from Home Screen" and "Delete App" — choose "Delete App" to remove it entirely. On older models, you will see one "Remove" button, which deletes the app.
If you only tap "Remove from Home Screen," the app stays on your iPad but disappears from view. You can still find it by searching (swipe down and type the app name) or by checking the App Library, which is the last page of your home screen. To fully delete it, you must choose "Delete App" from the confirmation menu.
How to delete an app on Android tablets
Press and hold the app icon on your home screen. Keep holding it — do not let go. After a moment, an "Uninstall" icon or trash can icon will appear at the top of your screen. Drag the app icon upward to that icon and release. The app will delete when ready.
On some Android tablets, a menu appears instead of an uninstall icon. If you see a menu with options, look for "Uninstall" or "Remove" and tap it. Then confirm the deletion when prompted. The exact wording and appearance vary by tablet brand and Android version, but the concept is the same: hold, drag or tap, and confirm.
Pre-installed apps you cannot delete
Many Android tablets come with apps you cannot delete because they are part of the operating system or required by the manufacturer. If you press and hold one of these apps and no uninstall option appears, or if the uninstall button is grayed out, the app cannot be removed.
You can disable these apps instead, which hides them from your home screen and stops them from running in the background. Press and hold the app, look for "Disable" or "Turn Off," and select it. The app will no longer appear on your home screen or in your app list, though it still takes up storage space. You can re-enable it later by going to Settings, finding the app in your installed apps list, and selecting "Enable."
iPad does not have this limitation — you can delete almost any app on an iPad, including Apple's own apps like Mail, Maps, and Stocks, though you can always reinstall them later.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
Deleting an app from your tablet removes the app itself and any data stored locally on the device. If you used the app to log into an account — email, social media, banking, or anything else — your account still exists on the company's servers. You are only removing the app from your tablet.
When you reinstall the app later, you can log back in with your username and password, and your account will be intact. Photos, messages, or other content you created in that app may or may not be recoverable depending on whether the app backed them up to the cloud. Check the app's settings before you delete it if you are unsure whether your data is saved.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
To get an app back, open the App Store (iPad) or Google Play Store (Android tablet) and search for the app by name. Tap the read or install button. The app will read and install to your home screen. If you were logged into the app before, you can log in again with the same account.
Reinstalling takes a few minutes depending on the app size and your internet speed. You will not be charged again if the app was free, and if you bought the app, you will not have to pay a second time — the app store remembers your purchase.
Freeing up storage space by deleting apps
Apps take up storage space on your tablet. Deleting ones you no longer use can free up gigabytes, especially large apps like games, video editors, or streaming services. To see how much space each app uses, go to Settings, then Storage (the exact path varies by tablet), and look for a list of installed apps sorted by size.
If your tablet is running low on storage and you cannot delete apps, you can also delete photos, videos, or old downloads. Clearing your browser cache and app caches can also recover space without deleting the apps themselves. On iPad, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage). On Android, go to Settings > Storage, then look for a "Clear Cache" or "Manage Storage" option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete an app and then get it back?
Yes. You can reinstall any app you delete by opening the app store, searching for it by name, and tapping read or install. If you paid for the app, you will not be charged again. Your account and any data backed up to the cloud will still be there when you log back in.
What is the difference between deleting and disabling an app?
Deleting removes the app entirely from your tablet. Disabling hides the app and stops it from running, but it stays on your device and takes up storage space. On Android, you can disable pre-installed apps you cannot delete. On iPad, you can delete almost any app.
Will deleting an app erase my account?
No. Deleting an app only removes it from your tablet. Your account on that service still exists on their servers. When you reinstall the app and log in, your account will be there. However, any data stored only on your device — like drafts, offline files, or local settings — will be lost.
How much storage space will I free up by deleting apps?
It depends on the app. Small apps use a few megabytes; large games or video editors can use several gigabytes. Check Settings > Storage to see how much space each app uses before you delete it. Deleting a large game might free up 2 to 5 gigabytes, while deleting a small utility app might free up only 50 megabytes.
Can I delete the apps that came with my tablet?
On iPad, yes — you can delete almost any app, including Apple's built-in apps. On Android, some pre-installed apps cannot be deleted, only disabled. If the uninstall option does not appear or is grayed out, the app is required by the system and cannot be removed.