3 Simple Ways to Delete Apps from iCloud

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Remove all app data from iCloud with this easy-to-use guide

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: September 11, 2024 Fact Checked

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Deleting App Data (iOS)

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Hiding Apps from History (iOS)

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Deleting App Data (Mac)

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Q&A

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Tips

Although the apps you download from the App Store aren't actually saved in iCloud, many do use iCloud to store documents, backups, and other data for safe-keeping. This wikiHow teaches you how to delete that data from your iCloud account using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You'll also learn how to control which apps can save data to iCloud, as well as how to hide unused apps from your App Store history.

Deleting App Data from iCloud

To unsync all apps and their data from your iCloud, open your Settings and tap your Apple ID. Tap iCloud and toggle off all apps you want to delete. Tap Manage Account Storage to view an app and delete its data.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Deleting App Data (iOS)

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It's the gear icon on your home screen.
It's at the top of the Settings menu.

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It's in the second group of settings. This will open a page with various iCloud options and prompt you to sign in (if you aren't already).
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Toggle off
the app you want to delete. If you have more than one app you want to delete, tap its slider to switch it to the Off (grey) position. This will prevent app data syncing to your iCloud. ^{[1]
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- If needed, tap Show All to expand the list of apps.
It's at the top of the iCloud page. This will take you to a list of apps using iCloud storage space with data.^{[2]
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Depending on the app, you may see a list of documents and other data it has saved to your iCloud storage.
Some apps will display different options, like Documents & Data or Disable & Delete. The option you see will vary by app. A confirmation message will appear.
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Tap Remove from iCloud to confirm. It's the red link near the bottom of the screen. This deletes all of the data and documents the selected app has stored on your iCloud account.
- If needed, you may need to tap Remove App Data to confirm a second time.
- Repeat as necessary for other apps.
- The steps above will not delete data included in your iPhone or iPad's regular backups. If you want to delete app data from an iCloud backup, continue with this method.
This is at the top-left corner.
You can find this towards the bottom, underneath the Device Backups header. This displays a list of all iCloud backups associated with your account.
This displays a list of apps that can be backed up to iCloud.
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Tap Show All Apps to expand all apps. This will display a full list of local app data that has been stored to your iCloud backup. The amount of space used by the app data is listed under the app name.
- This data is what is used when restoring your device using an iCloud backup and will not affect the data currently stored on your device.
Do this for any apps that you don't want to back up to iCloud. A confirmation message will appear.
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Tap Turn Off & Delete. This both deletes the backed-up data and prevents the app from backing up to iCloud in the future.^{[3]
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- Some app developers store your identifying data on their servers, even if you delete the app from your device. When you reinstall the app, you may find yourself logged into your account without needing the password.
  - In this case, contact the developer and ask them to delete your data. You can usually find their information in the app's support section, official app listing, or official website.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Hiding Apps from History (iOS)

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While you can't completely delete apps from your purchase or download history, you can hide it.
It'll be at the top-right corner of the screen. If you don't have a photo, the image will be a circle containing your initials.
You can find this underneath your name.
A red “Hide” button will appear.^{[4]
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Tap the red Hide button. This removes the app from the list of purchased or downloaded apps. You can repeat these steps for any other apps in this list.
- This action is purely organizational and does not save any storage space on your device or iCloud account.
- Hidden apps can be unhidden.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Deleting App Data (Mac)

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It's at the top-left corner of the screen.^{[5]
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On older devices, this will look like System Preferences.
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Click your name. This is at the top of the sidebar.
- On older devices, click Apple ID.
You can find this in the right panel.
A new page will open.
If you have more than one app you want to delete, click its slider to switch it to the Off (grey) position. This will prevent app data syncing to your iCloud.
It's at the top of the iCloud page. This will take you to a list of apps using iCloud storage space with data.
Depending on the app, you may see a list of documents and other data it has saved to your iCloud storage.
Some apps will display different options, like Documents & Data or Disable & Delete. The option you see will vary by app. A confirmation message will appear.
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Click Remove from iCloud to confirm. It's at the bottom of the screen. This deletes all of the data and documents the selected app has stored on your iCloud account.
- You may need to click Remove App Data to confirm a second time.

Community Q&A

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Question

I have downloaded cash app, however, it is in my iCloud and I want to delete it! How do I delete it out?

Jackson Sivley

Community Answer

Delete the app manually by holding the app icon, click the X icon, then select delete, then delete the iCloud. Save data via the steps above after that.

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Question

I've a faulty app that I purchased that will no longer open.I want to purchase same appt (new) but old iCloud version keeps popping up. I am unable to delete from iCloud. Any advice welcome.

Jackson Sivley

Community Answer

Is the app not compatible with IOS 11? Once you update to IOS 11, apps with 32-bit architectures will not work and only 64-bit architectures will work! You will need to delete the app! Does it say “You cannot associate this device with another Apple ID for [number] days”? This can be up to 90 days ,in such cases, you may need to wait to delete the data

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Question

How can I remove all my apps from iCloud?

Jackson Sivley

Community Answer

Delete the app, then head to settings, select Apple ID, select iCloud, select manage storage, select the desired data and tap delete twice.

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You can delete full backups from iCloud backups on the desktop, but you cannot select which app data to not include from the backup.

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Some apps allow you to choose whether to save to iCloud or locally.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Try using a third-party service like AppCleaner to get rid of any hidden data left behind from an app.
Be sure to unselect the app you're deleting data from in iCloud so it doesn't try to backup again.

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