Can't delete apps from iPhone

I'm unable to delete apps from my iPhone. I've recently updated my phone to iOS 16.5 on an iPhone 12 Pro Max and I believe as a result, I'm unable to delete apps. Thing is, I don't usually delete apps, so I'm not sure if the issue persisted prior to the iOS update. Whenever I use 3D touch on an app, when I select 'remove app' it only shows the 'remove from home screen' option, not the 'delete app'. I've tried holding on an empty space on the home screen to make all apps wiggle and then click on the minus, but I get the same result. I've followed guides asking me to go to 'Screen time' > 'Content & Privacy Restrictions' > 'iTunes and App Store Purchases' > 'Deleting Apps' and I've reselected 'Allow' but to no avail. I've tried toggling 'Content & Privacy Restrictions' but that didn't work. I've turned the phone off and on again. I've turned off my Wi-Fi, I've toggled Airplane Mode, I've reset network settings. I've gone into 'Settings' > 'General' > 'iPhone Storage' and then selected multiple, individual apps to delete them, with the 'delete app' button missing on the page. I've attempted to delete apps via the App Store, going into the appropriate areas to delete the app and still nothing. Please advise as to what I could do.

iPhone 12 Pro Max, iOS 16

Posted on Jun 6, 2023 2:15 AM

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Posted on Jun 6, 2023 2:51 AM

Hi SravanKrA, thank you for your response! I've figured out what the issue was. I use an app called 'Opal' which is a specialised and advanced version of the 'app limiter' setting pre-built on an iPhone. As 'Opal' is designed to 100% block apps during a certain time period, it diables any way in which you can delete apps, so that individuals cannot delete 'Opal' as a workaround to the time period. Once you disable its access to 'screen time', the plethora of different means to delete apps become accessible again.


I appreciate you checking to see whether I was trying to delete native apps as well, as I know many individuals aren't aware of this.


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Question marked as Best reply

Jun 6, 2023 2:51 AM in response to SravanKrA

Hi SravanKrA, thank you for your response! I've figured out what the issue was. I use an app called 'Opal' which is a specialised and advanced version of the 'app limiter' setting pre-built on an iPhone. As 'Opal' is designed to 100% block apps during a certain time period, it diables any way in which you can delete apps, so that individuals cannot delete 'Opal' as a workaround to the time period. Once you disable its access to 'screen time', the plethora of different means to delete apps become accessible again.


I appreciate you checking to see whether I was trying to delete native apps as well, as I know many individuals aren't aware of this.


Jun 6, 2023 2:21 AM in response to EcoSasha

First disable the Screen Time Restrictions, if any.


Settings > Screen Time > Contenet And Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Deleting Apps > [Allow]




There are six possibilities

  1. Delete an offloaded App
  2. Delete an App from the Home Screen
  3. Remove an App from the Home Screen - Will be placed in the App Library
  4. Delete an App from the App Library
  5. Delete an inbuilt App - Not feasible
  6. Delete an inbuilt App with one feature - You do not get any options either (e.g. Magnifier)



Watch the GIF

Can't delete apps from iPhone

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