How To Clear Unused Apps On Iphone

Your iPhone Has a Setting That Makes It Declutter Itself

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Running low on iPhone storage, or noticing your phone has been operating slower than molasses? If after deleting items that occupy a lot of real estate on your device — like videos and photos — you're still running low on space, it may be time to Marie Kondo your apps.

Not surprisingly, the iPhone has a built-in trick called "offload unused apps" to streamline the app-deleting process, freeing up precious memory on your device when you need it most.

What is "offload app" in iPhone?

"Offload unused apps" is a native iPhone settings option, and it automatically deletes apps you don't use after a period of inactivity, and when your phone detects it's running low on space.

The ability to offload means you'll not only maximize your phone storage, but be more mindful of which apps you're actually using and which things you really need (or in Kondo's terms, which ones spark joy).

If you're unsure about whether or not you'll use an app again in the future, no worries; the apps aren't actually deleted permanently from your phone. All your data and documents will remain on your device—and the apps themselves just turn into grayed-out icons on your home screen—making it easy to re-download and jump back in whenever you want to. Also, if you don't want your phone to automatically delete certain apps (even if you don't use them a lot), you can set the offload function for certain ones.

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How do you automatically offload apps?

The first step is making sure your iOS is updated to the most recent operating system, as this feature only works with iOS 11 and newer versions.

Once you're up to date, go to Settings > General > iPhone storage, then click "Enable" next to "Offload Unused Apps." Voila! Once the setting works its magic, you'll have space for more media on your phone. On this screen, you can also see an estimate of how much space you'll save by turning the feature on.

If you decide you want to use an app that's been offloaded, just tap the grayed-out icon and it will re-download, with all your info still there (assuming the app is still available in the app store).

Ashley Abramson

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Ashley Abramson is a writer-mom hybrid in Minneapolis, MN. Her work, mostly focused on health, psychology, and parenting, has been featured in the Washington Post, New York Times, Allure, and more. She lives in the Minneapolis suburbs with her husband and two young sons.

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