Can’t Delete Apps on iPhone and iPad in iOS 14? How to Fix It!

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can't delete apps on iphone and ipad

It’s usually pretty straightforward to uninstall apps on your iPhone or iPad. However, sometimes, you might run into some unexpected issues, and it can be incredibly frustrating. To help you out, we’ve got some verified solutions for you to try. So, if you cannot delete apps on iPhone and iPad in iOS 14, iOS 13, or iPadOS 14 here’s how to fix it.

Why Can’t You Delete Apps on iPhone and iPad?

    • You can delete all third-party apps and several inbuilt Apple apps. But you can not remove core system applications like Phone, Messages, Settings, Photos, Camera, Safari, App Store, Clock, Find My, Health, and Wallet.
    • The ability to delete apps is restricted under Screen Time.
    • The pending app download has frozen.
    • If the iPhone is given by your employer, school, or other such organization, it might have a particular profile that may be preventing the uninstallation of certain apps. Contact the relevant admin for assistance.

Disable Restrictions for Deleting Apps on iPhone and iPad

  1. Open the Settings app and tap on Screen Time.
  2. Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions. [Note: Here, if you see, Turn On Screen Time, that means this feature isn’t active. Skip the steps below and move to the next solution.]open settings tap on screen time and then tap on content & privacy restrictions on iphone
  3. Tap on iTunes & App Store Purchases. Enter the Screen Time passcode, when asked.
  4. Tap on Deleting Apps and choose Allow.tap on itunes & app store purchases and then tap on deleting apps and select allow on iphone

Now, go back to the iPhone Home screen and try to delete the app. There should be no problem now.

Delete Waiting Apps

Waiting apps are those that have not been fully downloaded (or updated) and are stuck with the text ‘Waiting…‘ below the grayed application icon.

To fix this (that is, let the app download), make sure your iPhone has enough free space and is connected to a strong Wi-Fi or cellular data. Once the installation is complete, you can remove the app normally.

In case you wish to terminate this pending app installation and delete the app, long press on the app icon and choose Cancel Download from the popup.

long press on downloading app and tap on cancel download on iphone

If you do not see this option, keep pressing the app icon until you are in jiggle mode. Now, in iOS 14, tap on the waiting app’s minus icon (if you see it) and then Delete App → Delete. In iOS 13, tap on the cross icon and finally Delete.

long press on waiting apps and tap on delete on iphone

Restart your iPhone

This is an almost sure shot solution to address this issue successfully. When you can not remove apps, go ahead, and restart the iPhone.

You can use the buttons (like you usually do) or open the Settings app → General → Shut Down, to power off the device.

Open Settings App Tap on General and Then Then Tap on Shutdown

After a minute, switch on the iPhone and try to delete the app. You should have no trouble performing this action.

Signing Off

This is what you need to do when you can’t delete apps on iPhone or iPad. Finally, if nothing helps, reset all settings from the Settings app → General → Reset → Reset All Settings. Once the process completes, try to uninstall the app.

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I have been an Apple user for over seven years now. At iGeeksBlog, I love creating how-tos and troubleshooting guides that help people do more with their iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch. In my free time, I like to watch stand up comedy videos, tech documentaries, news debates, and political speeches.