How To Delete Apps On Apple Watch, With Photos

The Apple Watch is a great device, but you can quickly run out of storage space for updates and apps you really need. If you are like most mobile app users, sometimes you have to delete the ones that are no longer useful.

Maybe the apps have too many ads or you are frustrated by poor functionality. Maybe you just want to try something new. Whatever the reason, it’s time to declutter that home screen! If you find you have too many unwanted apps on your Apple Watch, there are two easy methods to delete them.

The first method uses the watch itself and the second method uses your iPhone. Let’s take a look at how to delete apps on your Apple Watch, complete with photos to guide you.

Step 1: Press the Digital Crown to See the Apps

The first thing you need to do is go to the home screen. This will allow you to see all of the apps on your watch. You can reach the home screen by pressing the digital crown on the side of your watch.

Step 2: Touch Your Display and Hold It Until the View Options Screen Appears

Now, touch and hold the display on your watch face. This will cause the View Options screen to appear. There are two settings in this menu. The first setting changes how your apps are organized. Toggle to show either a grid view or a list view of your apps on the home screen.

The apps in our guide are shown in grid view, but the steps are the same in the list view. At the bottom of this menu, you will see a setting for Edit Apps.

Step 3: Tap the Edit Apps Setting

Next, tap the Edit Apps setting. This will put you in the correct mode to delete or rearrange your apps. The app icons will appear to be shaking when the watch is in this mode.

Step 4: Delete the Unwanted Apps

Step four is to tap the delete button on each app you want to remove. Then, tap Delete App to confirm your changes. You can delete some built-in apps with iOS 14 and later, including Stopwatch, Breathe, Alarms, Timer, Stocks, and World Clock.

If the app does not have a delete button, the built-in app cannot be removed. Keep in mind that deleting built-in apps from your watch can also affect the functionality of other systems. For example, if you delete the Stocks app, that will stop the Notification Center from showing stock information.

Step 5: Press the Digital Crown to Complete the Process

Finally, press the digital crown to complete the process. This will return you to the home screen. Verify that you have deleted the apps you wanted to remove. Repeat steps 1-5 to remove any unwanted apps still appearing on your home screen.

Remember that not all apps can be removed. Only apps with the delete button can be removed from your Apple Watch.

How to Delete Apps on Your Apple Watch Using Your iPhone

Additionally, you can remove unwanted Apple Watch apps using your iPhone. If you remove an app from your iPhone, you will also delete the app from your Apple Watch.

Conversely, removing an app from your Apple Watch will not delete the app from your iPhone. Keep reading to learn how to remove Apple Watch apps using your iPhone.

Step 1: Open the Watch App on Your iPhone

First, click on the Apple Watch icon on your iPhone to open the settings. The icon has a black background with a side view of a watch. Tap on the My Watch tab if the app does not automatically open on that tab.

Step 2: Scroll Down to the Installed on Apple Watch Section

Under the My Watch tab, scroll down until you come to the Installed on Apple Watch section. Find the app you want to remove from your Apple Watch on the list of installed apps.

Step 3: Turn Off the Show App on Apple Watch Setting

Finally, tap on the app you want to remove from your Apple Watch. Then, turn off the Show App on Apple Watch setting. The toggle switch appears grey when the app has been turned off.

Press the digital crown on your Apple Watch to return to the home screen. Verify that the app you wanted to remove is no longer on your watch’s home screen.

How to Restore Accidentally Deleted Apps

If you accidentally deleted an app you wanted to keep, or you deleted a built-in app that is affecting your functionality, don’t panic. You can easily put those apps back on your device.

You simply download the app again from the App Store on your iPhone or Apple Watch. Search for the app by name, then tap the redownload button. Note that when you restore the app to your iPhone, that also restores the app to your Apple Watch.

What If You Can’t Remove the App?

If the app you want to remove is not one of Apple’s built-in apps, it could be caused by your Screen Time settings. If you get to step 3 and the apps shake but there is no delete button, your Screen Time settings may not allow you to delete anything.

Go to your Screen Time settings, then tap Content and Privacy Restrictions. Next, select iTunes and App Store Purchases. If the Deleting Apps setting shows Don’t Allow, tap on it to change the setting to Allow. Now, go through steps 1-5 to delete the app from your watch.

Hopefully, this guide has helped you learn how to delete apps on your Apple Watch. Whether you remove them via your watch or iPhone, the process is quick and easy.

Now that you have freed up all of that storage space, it’s the perfect time to add some new apps to your Apple Watch! Whatever you decide, it will be easier to get more out of your Apple Watch now that you know how to delete the apps you no longer need.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©DenPhotos/Shutterstock.com.