How to Declutter the iPhone of Unused Apps
October 25, 2022 By Prelo Con
(Image Credit Google)
It is not unlikely for smartphone users to find certain apps they haven't used for a long time on their devices. Such forgotten apps can take up much-needed storage space on a device, clutter the home screen, and drain batteries. So, here are some steps to declutter an iPhone of unused apps -
1. Utilizing the Offload Unused Apps feature
iOS has an in-built Offload Unused Apps feature. It automatically uninstalls any apps users don't use. However, Apple does not offer details on the amount of time an app has to go unused before the feature offloads it.
But, the offloaded apps remain on the home screen or in the app library, with a cloud icon next to them. So, if users press on them, the iPhone automatically re-downloads those apps.
Furthermore, users can turn on the feature in the Settings > App Store > toggle Offload Unused Apps. In addition, users can see the amount of space the feature saves in Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
However, the Offload Unused Apps feature does have its drawbacks. For instance, Apple states that users cannot re-download an offloaded app if it's removed from the App Store. In addition, it might be disadvantageous when users use specific apps only for particular purposes. For example, the feature might offload an app a user only uses when traveling and find that it's been offloaded right when traveling in a place with a poor network!
2. Manually offloading apps
So, users can instead manually offload apps to declutter their iPhones of unused apps. They can do so in Settings > General > iPhone Storage > select the app to offload > tap on the Offload App button.
3. Deleting apps permanently
Since offloaded apps can clutter the home screen, some users might prefer to delete apps permanently. They can do so in the App Store by tapping their profile picture, opening the apps list, and swiping left to access the delete button.
Furthermore, users can also delete unused apps at once from the app library to declutter their iPhones. To do so, users need to scroll to the right of their home screens until the page with all the apps categorized appears. And then, users can go through each category and delete apps they don't use by long-pressing on their icons and tapping the Delete App button.
Additionally, users can declutter their phones of unused apps through the iPhone Storage screen. To do so, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Here, users will see how much space an app takes on their device by tapping on it. They can delete unused apps by clicking the Delete App button under the offload option.
By Prelo Con
Following my passion by reviewing latest tech. Just love it.