You finally got the iPhone 15. The Titanium feels great, the Dynamic Island is actually kinda useful, and the camera is a beast. But then, you look at your home screen. It's a mess.
You’ve got three different versions of Solitaire, that one "productivity" app you haven't opened since 2022, and a bunch of random junk that migrated over from your old phone. You try to get rid of them, but they just... stay there. Or worse, they vanish from your screen but still show up in searches.
Honestly, knowing how to delete apps on iPhone 15 isn't as straightforward as it used to be. Apple changed the rules.
The "Jiggle" Method is Still King (Mostly)
Let's start with the classic. You press down on an icon. It starts shaking like it's nervous. This is what Apple officially calls "Jiggle Mode," though most of us just call it "the thing where you can move stuff."
- Find the app you hate.
- Press and hold your finger on it. A menu pops up.
- Tap Remove App.
Now, here is where most people mess up. A second menu appears with two choices: Delete App and Remove from Home Screen.
If you pick "Remove from Home Screen," the app isn't gone. It’s basically just hiding in the App Library. It’s still eating your storage. It’s still tracking your data. To actually kill it, you have to hit Delete App.
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The App Library: Where Apps Go to Hide
Sometimes you can't find the app on your main screens, but you know it's there. Swipe all the way to the right. Past your last page of icons. You’ll hit the App Library.
It’s an automated filing cabinet. Apps are grouped into folders like "Social" or "Utilities." If you want to delete something from here, you have to long-press the icon inside the folder and hit Delete App.
Wait. Did you try that and it didn't work?
Sometimes the "Delete" option just... isn't there. You only see "Share App" or "Add to Home Screen." This usually happens because of a weird setting buried in your Screentime restrictions.
Deleting Apps via Settings (The Pro Way)
If you're trying to clear space because your 128GB iPhone 15 is screaming for mercy, don't delete from the home screen. Go to the source.
Open Settings, tap General, and then iPhone Storage.
This screen is a lifesaver. It shows you exactly which apps are bloated. You might find that TikTok is taking up 15GB of "documents and data" even though the app itself is small.
- Delete App: This nukes everything. The app, your login, your save files. Gone.
- Offload App: This is the "middle ground." It deletes the app but keeps your data. If you reinstall it later, all your settings are still there.
I usually offload games I might play again in six months. It saves the headache of starting over.
Why Won't My iPhone 15 Let Me Delete This?
If you’re staring at an app and there’s no "X" or "Delete" button, you’re likely hitting one of two walls.
1. System Apps
You can't delete the Phone app. You can't delete Messages or Settings. Apple considers these "load-bearing" parts of the OS. If you really don't want to see them, your only choice is to "Remove from Home Screen" so they live in the App Library basement.
2. Screentime Restrictions
This is the most common reason the "Delete App" button vanishes. Maybe you set this up to stop your kids from deleting stuff, or maybe you did it to stop yourself from impulsively deleting and reinstalling Instagram.
Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Tap on iTunes & App Store Purchases.
Look for Deleting Apps. If it says "Don't Allow," change it to Allow.
Boom. The delete button should reappear instantly.
Dealing with the "Ghost" Apps
Ever delete an app only to see its name show up in your iCloud backup or "Purchased" list?
That’s because Apple likes to remember everything. If you want an app to truly disappear from your history—like you never even downloaded that weird dating app—you have to go to the App Store. Tap your profile icon (top right), go to Apps, and then find the app in the list. Swipe left on it and tap Hide.
It won't show up in your "Not on this iPhone" list anymore. It’s the closest thing to a digital witness protection program.
Actionable Next Steps
To get your iPhone 15 back in order right now:
- Check your storage: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Find the top three biggest apps you haven't used in a month.
- Delete vs. Offload: If you need the data, offload. If the app is trash, delete.
- Fix your restrictions: If the delete option is missing, check your Screen Time settings immediately.
- Clean the App Library: Swipe all the way right and prune the apps you forgot you even had.
Managing your iPhone 15 doesn't have to be a chore. Just remember that "Removing" isn't "Deleting." Once you know the difference, your home screen will stay clean for good.