Getting rid of apps that I have deleted, completely...how?

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Level 1

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Getting rid of apps that I have deleted, completely...how?

I am scrolling through my list of Apps in Settings, (iPhone 17, OS 26.3.1) and seeing many apps that I deleted 'completely' (I didn't just remove them from my home screen), and they are still listed there, for example, under Apple Intelligence. Likewise, if I encounter apps I have deleted in App Store, there is a download icon rather than a Get button, indicating that the phone knows I used to have it on my phone.

So...how can these be eliminated completely? So they no longer appear in these scenarios?

iPhone 17

Posted on Mar 6, 2026 3:31 PM

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Answer 1

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Axel Foley

Level 10

151,978 points

Mar 6, 2026 6:12 PM in response to Andvari

Deleted apps still appearing in Settings ➡️ Apps or showing a download icon in the App Store is normal — iOS keeps a record of apps you’ve installed before, but you cannot remove that history.

1. Open Settings ➡️ General ➡️ iPhone Storage ➡️ confirm the app is not listed — if it is, tap it and tap Delete App.

2. Open Settings ➡️ Apps ➡️ scroll to the app — if it appears here, it only means the app once had system permissions; it does not mean the app is still installed.

3. In the App Store, the download icon cannot be changed — Apple does not allow removing your install history.

Optional steps to hide the app from your App Store purchases:

4. Open App Store ➡️ your profile icon ➡️ Purchased.

5. Swipe left on the app ➡️ tap Hide.

This hides the app from your purchase list but does not remove Apple’s install history.

Axel F.

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Getting rid of apps that I have deleted, completely...how?

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