Built-in system apps can be seen as a blessing or a curse, depending on the type of user you are. If you are the more inclined to the latter, find out how you can remove the annoying built-in Apple apps like Podcasts, Compass, Stocks and more in iOS 10.
iOS 10 was announced last week at WWDC, alongside macOS Sierra, tvOS 10 and watchOS 3. It is the biggest iOS release in a long time, bringing a ton of no nonsense features, such as being able to clear all notifications with 3D Touch. One of my favorites is the ability to completely uninstall built-in system apps in iOS. It’s the right solution. Previously, users would have to hide system apps in a dedicated folder. I know Compass, Stocks, iTunes Store, Videos, Maps, Wallet, iBooks etc. are all in a folder called “Extras”.
If you try to remove these apps in iOS 9 and earlier, you’ll find that you just can’t. When you press and hold an app icon on the homescreen to enter “jiggly mode”, no ‘X’ button shows up on system apps.
In iOS 10, you get the ‘x’ delete button on top of system app icons when you do so. It’s great!
These apps are significant in number and could vary in importance of usage:
- Calculator
- Weather
- Calender
- Watch app
- Compass
- Voice Memos
- Contacts
- Videos
- FaceTime
- Tips
- Find My Friends
- Stocks
- Home
- Reminders
- iBooks
- iCloud Drive
- Podcasts
- iTunes Store
- Notes
- Maps
- News
- Music
There may be some (limited) cons to removing these apps. Read on ahead to find out what can potentially go wrong.
Uninstalling system app
Coming to uninstalling the app: you simply uninstall them like any other app.
You need to hold down any app on your home screen until all of the icons begin to jiggle or shake, You will now see a small X at the top left of the app. Tapping on the X will create a prompt asking if you are sure you want to uninstall this app. Once you confirm it, the app will be uninstalled.
Refer to the above image and be aware of other consequences in the cases of installing an essential app that you might be currently using or affects another devices usage such as Music and Watch App.
Reinstalling a deleted app
If you happen to reconsider your decision of uninstalling an app, you can restore it by going to the App Store and downloading it the way you would any other app.
Once the app has finished downloading and is installed on your home screen, you can run it and let bygones be bygones.
What are the cons of removing built-in system apps?
While there can be no such consequence that can lead to any “damage” to your device, you will lose certain benefits or features in other apps:
- If you choose to remove the Stocks or Wweather app, you will no longer be able to see either of their details on the lock screen in your iDevice or your Apple Watch.
- There are also some proprietary apps which will ONLY work with certain other devices. e.g Music and Podcasts app are the only ones which will work with CarPlay.
- If you try to remove the Watch app and already have an Apple Watch paired to your iPhone, you will be asked to unpair the watch first.
- If you remove the Contacts app, you will obviously only be able to browse your contacts from within the Phone app. No biggie, right? Who used the Contacts app anyway, since the complete functionality is baked right in Phone app.
That’s it. No other serious consequences.
With that said, let us know in the comments section which apps you will be glad to get rid off on your home screen and which app you plan on replacing it with.
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