PhilC50

Q: Deleted app returns after iPhone restart

Running an iPhone 6s with iOS 10.0.2 but this problem has existed for a few years through 3 iPhones (4,5, and 6) and numerous iOS versions.

I removed an app from my phone the normal way (wiggle>X).

Every time I restart my iPhone, for any reason, the app returns.

I could not locate the app in iTunes and I could not find a related ipa to delete.

It seems to return with any restore.

The app is an old version of FilmOn.

 

Any suggestions on how to finally and permanently get rid of it?

iPhone 6s, iOS 10.0.2

Posted on Sep 26, 2016 1:32 PM

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Q: Deleted app returns after iPhone restart

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Pmintz25,

    Pmintz25 Pmintz25 Sep 26, 2016 1:36 PM in response to PhilC50
    Level 4 (1,693 points)
    Sep 26, 2016 1:36 PM in response to PhilC50

    Check Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage > Manage Storage > see if the app is actually taking up space on your phone.

     

    Resetting the AppStore cache may help. I would delete the app, then open the AppStore.

     

    Tap ten times in any of the bottom five sections, and the AppStore will "refresh." The AppStore may be telling your phone to download the app as a result of a cache error.

     

    Seems odd that it would download an app that doesn't exist anymore.

  • by PhilC50,

    PhilC50 PhilC50 Sep 28, 2016 8:38 AM in response to Pmintz25
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPad
    Sep 28, 2016 8:38 AM in response to Pmintz25

    Thanks for the quick reply.

    I have dealt with this so long, I just delete the app shortcut when I restart my phone almost as habit.

    However, you did make me start thinking again.

    I did not see the app in my Storage usage so I actually clicked on the app icon and found that it is NOT an app. It is a bookmark to filmon.com. This explains the absence in my apps listing and lack of an ipa.

    So maybe there is something else I should be looking for? What could make a deleted shortcut return to the screen?

  • by PhilC50,

    PhilC50 PhilC50 Sep 28, 2016 8:44 AM in response to PhilC50
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPad
    Sep 28, 2016 8:44 AM in response to PhilC50

    BTW, I did clear Safari's History and Website Data but it didn't help. The shortcut still came back.

  • by PhilC50,

    PhilC50 PhilC50 Sep 28, 2016 9:04 AM in response to PhilC50
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPad
    Sep 28, 2016 9:04 AM in response to PhilC50

    I also turned off Safari in iCloud. The shortcut still returned.

  • by Pmintz25,

    Pmintz25 Pmintz25 Sep 30, 2016 12:22 PM in response to PhilC50
    Level 4 (1,693 points)
    Sep 30, 2016 12:22 PM in response to PhilC50

    Is it simply a bookmark/favorite in Safari that needs to be deleted?

  • by PhilC50,

    PhilC50 PhilC50 Sep 30, 2016 12:49 PM in response to PhilC50
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPad
    Sep 30, 2016 12:49 PM in response to PhilC50

    No. It is a bookmark that was saved to the Home Screen. The bookmark does not exist inside Safari. Although I can delete it from the home screen by holding for the wiggle and pressing the X, it returns whenever the iPhone is restarted.

    Crazy.

  • by Pmintz25,

    Pmintz25 Pmintz25 Sep 30, 2016 1:56 PM in response to PhilC50
    Level 4 (1,693 points)
    Sep 30, 2016 1:56 PM in response to PhilC50

    Try resetting the Home Screen layout. It will change the organization of your apps so only do it if you don't mind rearranging your apps. My hope is there is a bad cache related to the bookmark that will get cleared out when you reset the Home Screen.

     

    Settings > General > Reset > Reset Home Screen Layout

     

    Also, instead of shutting the phone down normally, try holding the Home button and the Power button for about 8 seconds until the phone turns off. Then turn it back on. This works for me better than a normal shut down when I have app issues.

     

    Lastly, you could simply try synching the phone with iTunes. That tends to help me if I notice issues with storage capacity so it may help here.

  • by PhilC50,

    PhilC50 PhilC50 Oct 3, 2016 1:03 PM in response to Pmintz25
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPad
    Oct 3, 2016 1:03 PM in response to Pmintz25

    Thanks but none of these suggestions worked.

    I'll just continue living with it. Funny that no one seems to have had this exact issue.

  • by Pmintz25,Apple recommended

    Pmintz25 Pmintz25 Oct 4, 2016 1:45 PM in response to PhilC50
    Level 4 (1,693 points)
    Oct 4, 2016 1:45 PM in response to PhilC50

    You could always try restoring the iPhone if it becomes too bothersome.

     

    You would back up your iPhone to a computer with iTunes (not just iCloud as it doesn't back up text messages and other items), then restore the iPhone to factory settings, and finally restoring your backup.

     

    Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support