I’m having trouble figuring out how to delete apps from my device. I tried holding the app icon, but nothing seems to happen. Could someone guide me on what steps I should follow to remove apps? I’d love some help with this!
Okay, so deleting apps can be a bit like trying to get gum off your shoe—annoying but doable. Here’s the deal:
If holding the app icon isn’t working, it’s probably because your device wants you to do more. (Typical.) On iPhones, for example, you hold the app until it wiggles. Yup, it has to wiggle like it’s doing a little dance of shame for being deleted. Then, you’ll see an ‘X’ or ‘Remove App’ option (depending on your iOS version). Tap that, and poof, gone.
If you’re on Android (varies by device): tap and hold the app icon, and it should either give you a ‘Remove’ or ‘Uninstall’ option. If not, you might need to drag it up or down to an ‘Uninstall’ area or something similar. Gotta love those inconsistent designs.
Still stuck? Check your device settings! Go to Settings > Apps (or Applications) and find the offending app. Once there, hit ‘Uninstall.’ Some pre-installed apps might not be deletable, so…yeah, enjoy staring at them forever.
Oh, and make sure the app isn’t active or showing up in the background because certain devices might freak out and won’t let you delete it until it’s closed.
Good luck kicking apps off your digital island! Or, you know, letting them haunt you forever if none of this works.
Okay, so @cacadordeestrelas gave a solid breakdown, but let me throw in a couple of extras and maybe a different angle—because sometimes tech is just out to mess with us, ya know?
First off, not all apps go quietly—some need special treatment. If holding down the app icon doesn’t work on your device, you might have to check if screen gestures are disabled (it’s a thing on some devices—I found out the hard way when I thought my phone was broken). Look in your settings under “Home screen” or similar menu—sometimes they hide the option to manage apps there.
Another sneaky possibility? If the app in question came locked in as “bloatware” by your device manufacturer or carrier, you won’t get to delete it (seriously, thanks, pre-installed apps I’ll never use). What you can do is disable it in the same “Apps” section in settings. It won’t completely go away, but at least it stops eating battery or sending random notifications.
For iPhones, if you’re on an older iOS, you might need to check if app restrictions are enabled under Screen Time settings. App deletion can get turned off through parental restrictions or accidentally (been there).
And just as a PSA for everyone: some software updates can change how app removal works. If all else fails, Google “[your device model] remove apps”—manufacturer quirks are the spice of life, or so they want us to think.
Hope this helps more than it frustrates—but if your app still refuses to budge, maybe it just vibes with your phone too well to leave. 