The fastest way to remove an app from your tablet
On most tablets, you delete an app by pressing and holding its icon on the home screen until a menu appears, then tapping the delete or remove option. The exact wording and steps depend on whether you use an iPad or an Android tablet, but both methods take less than ten seconds once you know where to look.
The app itself is removed from your device, but your purchase history stays in your account. If you change your mind later, you can reinstall the same app without paying again—the app store remembers that you bought it.
Key Takeaways
- On an 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 an Android tablet, press and hold the app icon, then drag it to the trash icon that appears at the top of the screen, or tap "Uninstall" if that option shows up.
- Deleting an app from your home screen does not erase it from your device if it came pre-installed; you must uninstall it through Settings instead.
- Your purchase history is saved in your account, so you can reinstall paid apps later without paying again.
- Some apps cannot be deleted because they are built into the operating system, but you can usually hide them or disable them.
Deleting apps on an iPad
Press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu pops up with several options. You will see "Remove App" near the bottom of this menu. Tap it.
A second menu will appear asking whether you want to remove the app from your home screen only or delete it entirely from the iPad. If you tap "Remove from Home Screen," the app stays on your device but disappears from view—you can find it later in the App Library (the folder icon at the far right of your home screens). If you tap "Delete App," the app is removed completely and you will need to reinstall it from the App Store if you want it back.
After you choose, the system will ask you to confirm by tapping "Delete" one more time. This prevents accidental removal.
Deleting apps on an Android tablet
Press and hold the app icon on your home screen. Most Android tablets will show a trash or delete icon at the top of the screen. While still holding the icon, drag the app upward to that trash icon and release it. The app will be removed from your home screen.
If dragging does not work on your tablet, try pressing and holding the icon until a menu appears, then look for an "Uninstall" option. Tap it and confirm the removal when prompted.
Like the iPad, removing an app from your home screen is different from uninstalling it completely. If you only drag it to trash, it may still be installed on your device. To fully remove it, use the method described in the next section.
Completely uninstalling apps through Settings
If you want to make sure an app is fully removed from your tablet and not just hidden from the home screen, go through the Settings app instead. This method works on both iPad and Android.
On an iPad, open Settings, tap "General," then "iPhone Storage" or "iPad Storage." Scroll down and find the app you want to remove, tap it, and select "Delete App." On an Android tablet, open Settings, go to "Apps" or "process Manager," find the app, and tap "Uninstall."
This approach also lets you see exactly how much storage space each app is using, which is helpful if you are trying to free up room on your tablet.
What to do if an app will not delete
Some apps cannot be deleted because they are part of the operating system. These usually include the Settings app, the camera, and other core functions. If you press and hold an app and no delete option appears, it is one of these protected apps.
You have two alternatives. First, you can hide the app so it does not show on your home screen—on iPad, choose "Remove from Home Screen" instead of "Delete App." On Android, you can often disable the app through Settings, which turns it off without removing it. Second, you can move the app to a folder on your home screen to keep it out of the way.
Recovering a deleted app
If you delete an app and then change your mind, you can reinstall it from your app store. Open the App Store on iPad or Google Play on Android, search for the app by name, and tap the read or install button. Because your account remembers your purchase, you will not be charged again for a paid app.
The app will read and install in a few seconds to a few minutes depending on its size and your internet speed. Your home screen may not update when ready, so wait a moment before looking for the newly installed app.
Freeing up storage space by deleting apps
Apps take up storage space on your tablet, and removing ones you no longer use can help your device run faster. Before you delete an app, check how much space it is using. On iPad, go to Settings > General > iPad Storage. On Android, go to Settings > Apps, tap each app, and look for the storage size listed.
Large apps like games, photo editors, and video streaming services often use the most space. If your tablet is running slowly or you are getting storage warnings, deleting a few of these can make a noticeable difference. You can always reinstall them later if you need them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting an app erase my data or settings for that app?
Yes. When you delete an app, any data stored on your tablet—saved games, notes, preferences—is removed along with it. However, some apps back up data to the cloud automatically, so you may recover it if you reinstall the app and sign back into your account. Check the app's settings before deleting if you are unsure.
Can I delete multiple apps at once?
On iPad, you can enter edit mode by pressing and holding any app icon, then tap other apps to select them all at once before deleting. On Android, most tablets require you to delete apps one at a time through the home screen or Settings. Some Android tablets have a "select multiple" option in the app drawer, but this varies by manufacturer.
What is the difference between removing an app from the home screen and uninstalling it?
Removing from the home screen hides the app but leaves it installed on your device, taking up storage space. Uninstalling removes it completely. If you want to free up space, uninstall through Settings. If you just want a cleaner home screen, remove from the home screen.
Why does my tablet say an app cannot be uninstalled?
The app is likely a system app that came pre-installed with your tablet's operating system. You cannot delete these, but you can usually disable them through Settings to prevent them from running. On some Android tablets, you can also hide them from view.
Do I lose my money if I delete a paid app?
No. Your purchase is tied to your account, not to the app being installed on your device. You can reinstall the paid app anytime without paying again. Your receipt and purchase history remain in your app store account.