iPhone

How to Disable Apps on iPhone: Easy Guide

September 28, 2024

Disabling apps on an iPhone can significantly enhance your device’s performance and security. If unwanted apps or pre-installed software are cluttering your iPhone’s home screen, you’ll benefit from learning the essential steps to manage these applications effectively.

In this guide, I’m diving into the straightforward process of how to disable apps on iPhone, ensuring that background processes are stopped and storage is optimized.

Leveraging key features like Screen Time, App Permissions, and Background App Refresh, you’ll have full control over which apps can run and which ones won’t.

We’ll explore how to stop apps from running in the background, restrict app functionality, and manage iPhone storage without uninstalling essential software.

By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped to maintain your iPhone’s performance, conserve battery life, and protect your privacy. Whether it’s managing third-party apps or dealing with built-in iPhone apps, this article has you covered.

How to Disable Apps on iPhone: Quick Workflow

1. Offloading Apps

Offloading an app removes the app itself while keeping its documents and data intact. This allows you to free up storage space without losing any information.Steps to Offload an App:

Open Settings.
Navigate to General.
Tap on iPhone Storage.
Scroll down and select the app you want to offload.
Tap Offload App and confirm.

When you need the app again, you can reinstall it, and all your data will be restored.

2. Closing Apps

While this doesn’t permanently disable the app, closing apps can help reduce background activity.Steps to Close Apps:

For iPhones without a Home button: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to see all open apps. Swipe up on the app you want to close.
For iPhones with a Home button: Double-click the Home button, then swipe up on the app you wish to close.

3. Using Screen Time for Restrictions

You can set limits on how long certain apps can be used, effectively disabling them after a set time.Steps to Set App Limits:

Open Settings.
Go to Screen Time.
Tap on App Limits.
Select Add Limit, choose a category or specific app, set a time limit (e.g., 1 minute), and tap Add.

4. Hiding Apps from Home Screen

If you want to keep apps installed but out of sight, you can remove them from your Home Screen.Steps to Hide an App:

Touch and hold the app icon until options appear.
Select Remove App, then choose Remove from Home Screen. The app will still be accessible in the App Library.

5. Disabling Background App Refresh

To prevent apps from running in the background, you can turn off Background App Refresh.Steps to Disable Background App Refresh:

Open Settings.
Go to General.
Tap on Background App Refresh and select either Off or choose specific apps to disable this feature.

By utilizing these methods, you can effectively manage your apps on an iPhone without needing to delete them entirely.

Methods to Temporarily Disable or Restrict Apps

maxresdefault How to Disable Apps on iPhone: Easy Guide

Offloading Apps for Space Management

Offloading apps is a practical way to manage storage without losing your data. Unlike deleting apps, which removes both the app and its data, offloading only removes the app itself while keeping its documents and settings intact.

This makes it a perfect solution for those who need to free up space temporarily but want to retain their app data for later use.

Steps to Offload Apps While Preserving Data:

Open iPhone Settings and tap on General.
Select iPhone Storage.
Scroll through the list of apps and find the one you want to offload.
Tap on the app, then choose Offload App.
Confirm the action. The app will disappear from your home screen, but its data will remain saved.

Benefits of Offloading for Storage Management:

Frees up significant storage, especially with larger apps like games or media-heavy applications.
Saves data for future reinstallation, which is useful if you want to use the app later without starting from scratch.
Maintains system performance by clearing up space, helping your iPhone run more efficiently.

Force Quitting and Disabling Background App Refresh

Force quitting apps can help you close apps that are frozen or consuming too much of your device’s resources. It’s also useful when you’re trying to conserve battery by stopping apps from running in the background.

How to Force Quit Apps (iPhone 10 and Above, iPhone 9 and Below):

iPhone 10 and above: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold in the middle until the app switcher appears. Find the app you want to close, then swipe it up to force quit.
iPhone 9 and below: Double-click the home button to access the app switcher, then swipe up on the app to force quit.

Turning Off Background App Refresh to Conserve Battery and Data:

Background App Refresh allows apps to refresh their content in the background, which drains both battery and data. Turning it off can improve performance, especially for apps you don’t need active all the time.

Steps to disable:

Open Settings and go to General.
Tap on Background App Refresh.
Choose to either disable it entirely or selectively turn it off for specific apps.

Impact of Background App Refresh on Device Performance:

Turning off this feature can:

Reduce unnecessary battery drain by preventing apps from continuously refreshing in the background.
Save mobile data, particularly when apps are updating in the background without your knowledge.
Improve performance, as fewer apps are running concurrently in the background.

Disabling App Permissions

App permissions control how apps access your personal data, like your location, camera, or microphone. Managing these permissions not only helps you maintain privacy but also optimizes your iPhone’s performance by limiting unnecessary access to resources.

Understanding App Permissions and Privacy Settings:

Permissions allow apps to access sensitive data or features on your phone. For example, a photo app may request access to your camera, or a mapping app might need your location. By limiting these permissions, you control how much information apps can gather from your device.

Steps to Disable Permissions Such as Location Services, Camera, and Tracking:

Go to Settings, then select Privacy.
Choose the type of permission you want to manage (e.g., Location Services, Camera, Microphone).
Find the app in question, and toggle off the permission you want to restrict.

How Restricting Permissions Affects App Functionality:

Disabling certain permissions can impact how apps function. For example:

Turning off location services might make navigation apps less effective.
Blocking camera access may disable photo-taking features in social media apps.
Disabling tracking may reduce personalized ads but can also limit certain app functionalities.

Managing permissions is essential to balancing privacy and app usability, giving you more control over how apps interact with your iPhone.

Screen Time and App Restrictions

Using Screen Time to Set App Limits

Setting daily limits for app usage is probably one of the most effective ways to control how much time is spent on certain apps. If you’ve ever found yourself or someone else overusing an app, especially social media, setting limits can help manage that. You can even set limits down to a single minute if necessary.

Steps to Set App Limits:

Open Settings and tap Screen Time.
Choose App Limits, then tap Add Limit.
From there, select the apps or categories of apps you want to limit.
Set your desired time limit. This could be anything from a few minutes to a few hours each day.

Now, once the time is up, the app will gray out, effectively blocking further usage until the limit resets the next day. It’s a straightforward approach to manage app time for yourself, or if you’re managing multiple devices, it works great as a way to control what’s happening on other people’s devices, like your kids’ or employees’.

Managing Screen Time Across Multiple Apps and Categories: Screen Time gives you the ability to group apps into categories. This means instead of setting limits on individual apps one by one, you can set limits on an entire category like social networking, games, or entertainment apps.

Benefits? Well, it’s a time-saver, but it also gives you a broader control. Say you want to limit gaming time for your kid’s iPhone — you can block all games in one shot.

This can be a game changer for parental control or even for your own productivity. Less time on apps that kill productivity means more time doing something more meaningful.

Removing Apps from Allowed Apps

There’s a list of Allowed Apps in Screen Time, where certain apps are immune to any restrictions, even if limits are in place. Removing apps from this list can give you complete control over what’s accessible at any time.

Steps to Remove Apps from the Allowed List:

Head back to Settings, then Screen Time.
Find Always Allowed.
From there, you can see the apps that are currently always allowed to run without limits.
Tap the minus sign next to any app you want to remove from the allowed list. Once removed, those apps will now follow the same rules as other restricted apps.

How Removing Apps from Allowed Lists Enhances Control: By taking apps off the allowed list, you’re tightening control on what’s available on the device. This is particularly helpful if you’re dealing with kids who have figured out a workaround through these allowed apps or if you want to lock down a device for work purposes and don’t want any distractions.

There are a few scenarios where this becomes really useful. Parents often use this feature to keep certain apps available for their children, like messaging apps for safety purposes, while blocking everything else. For administrators managing employee devices, this is a way to ensure only essential apps are available during work hours.

Utilizing Focus Modes to Restrict App Access

Overview of Focus Modes (Do Not Disturb, Work, Custom)

Focus Modes give you control over when and how you interact with apps. Instead of fully disabling them, Focus Modes let you filter out distractions. Whether you’re in Do Not Disturb, Work Mode, or a Custom Focus, apps and notifications are selectively restricted based on the settings you choose.

Here’s how it works: You activate a Focus Mode, and only apps you allow will push notifications or even be visible during that time. It’s like creating a controlled environment where you’re not bombarded with messages or social media when you’re trying to get work done or just need a break from it all.

Steps to Configure Focus Modes for Selective App Restriction:

Open Settings and tap Focus.
Tap on an existing mode like Do Not Disturb or create a new one by hitting the + sign.
Choose Apps under the “Allowed Notifications” section.
Select the apps that are allowed to bypass the Focus Mode.
Save and activate the mode when you need it.

Now, when this Focus Mode is active, everything else is locked out unless you’ve specifically allowed it. Work mode? Maybe just your email and calendar. Do Not Disturb? Maybe no apps at all.

Use Cases for Maintaining Focus or Limiting Distractions:

Work Sessions: Only your productivity apps are active.
Sleep: No notifications at all, so you’re not tempted to check your phone at 2 AM.
Custom Modes: You could even create a mode for the gym, allowing only health and music apps while silencing everything else.

Customizing Notifications and Alerts

Customizing notifications is where the real power kicks in. Focus Modes allow you to silence notifications from specific apps, so you’re not constantly interrupted by pings or buzzes. It’s not about disabling the app entirely, but about controlling its ability to demand your attention.

Silencing Notifications from Specific Apps:

Within Focus Mode settings, choose Apps.
You’ll see a list of apps. Here, decide which ones are allowed to send notifications.
For the rest, simply leave them off the list.

Notifications won’t show up in real-time when the Focus Mode is on. This doesn’t disable the app itself; it just keeps it quiet until you’re ready to engage with it.

How to Create Custom Profiles for Different Scenarios: You don’t have to stick to default modes like Do Not Disturb or Work. You can create your own, based on how you use your iPhone during different activities. Maybe a “Weekend” mode that lets in social apps but mutes all work-related ones, or a “Fitness” mode that keeps everything but music and health tracking apps silent.

To create a new custom profile:

Go to Settings, then Focus.
Tap + to create a new custom Focus.
Name it, select which people and apps can reach you, and configure accordingly.

The Impact of Disabling Notifications on User Productivity: Disabling notifications from specific apps can significantly increase focus and efficiency. Instead of reacting to every message or app alert, you decide when to check in. That’s critical for productivity, especially if you’re working on something that requires deep concentration.

Hiding Apps from Search and Siri Suggestions

Steps to Remove Apps from Spotlight Search and Siri Suggestions

Sometimes, you don’t want specific apps to show up in search results or pop up as suggestions when Siri is trying to be helpful. Maybe it’s a privacy thing, or maybe you just don’t want constant reminders about certain apps. Either way, you’ve got the tools to take control.

Disabling Siri Suggestions for Selected Apps:

Open Settings and tap Siri & Search.
Scroll through the list of apps and find the ones you want to manage.
Toggle off Show in Search and Show Suggestions for each app.

Once that’s done, Siri won’t suggest these apps, and they won’t appear when you use Spotlight Search. They’re still on your device, but you’ve essentially hidden them from quick access.

Preventing Apps from Appearing in Search Results: The process is similar to disabling Siri suggestions. Once you’ve turned off Show in Search, those apps won’t appear when you swipe down from the home screen to use Spotlight. This can help declutter your search results, making it easier to find what you actually need, and keeps some apps off the radar for anyone snooping around your phone.

Privacy Benefits of Hiding Apps from Search and Suggestions: Not every app needs to be front and center. Hiding certain apps from search results and Siri Suggestions can help protect your privacy. Whether it’s a personal finance app, a messaging app, or something else you prefer to keep more discrete, taking these apps out of common search functions adds a layer of security.

Managing Frequently Used Apps

Siri Suggestions often work by tracking your frequently used apps. It learns your habits and tries to serve up apps you might need based on your behavior. Sounds great, until it’s not. If you’ve got apps you’re trying to cut back on — maybe social media or something similarly distracting — then Siri’s “helpful” reminders can get in the way.

How Siri Suggestions Track and Recommend Frequently Used Apps: Siri uses machine learning to monitor app usage patterns. If you open an app regularly at certain times of the day, it’ll suggest that app when you’re likely to need it. This can be great for apps like maps or music, but less helpful for those apps you’re trying to avoid.

Limiting Exposure to Distracting Apps Using These Settings: The key is to break the cycle. By disabling Siri Suggestions for certain apps, you limit their visibility. Out of sight, out of mind, right? If you don’t see the app pop up when you’re about to do something else, you’re less likely to get sucked into a distraction. This is one way to manage app usage without completely disabling or deleting apps.

Guided Access and Single-App Mode

Enabling Guided Access for App Restriction

Guided Access is a feature that locks your iPhone into a single app, preventing access to anything else. It’s not just about keeping distractions at bay — it’s about maintaining focus, whether it’s for work, education, or even letting a child use your device without them wandering into other apps.

How to Activate Guided Access:

Open Settings and navigate to Accessibility.
Scroll down and select Guided Access.
Toggle it on, then go ahead and tap Passcode Settings to set a passcode. This is what will allow you to exit Guided Access later.
Once it’s set, open the app you want to lock, then triple-click the side or home button.
Tap Start to begin the session.

That’s it. Now, your iPhone is locked into that single app, with no chance of switching to another unless you end the session.

Customizing Guided Access for Specific Needs (e.g., work, education): Guided Access is versatile. If you’re using it for productivity, you can disable specific parts of the screen, like the keyboard or certain buttons, by drawing a box around those areas before starting the session. If you’re using it for a child’s learning app, the whole screen might be fair game, but the ability to lock the device to a single app is key.

Setting Passcodes to Prevent Access to Other Apps: The passcode is critical. Without it, there’s no way to exit the app, which keeps everything else out of reach. You can even set it to require Face ID or Touch ID for added security, depending on your model. Perfect for situations where you need complete control over the phone’s usage, whether for yourself or someone else.

Scenarios for Using Guided Access

Focus on a Single App for Productivity or Learning: Whether you’re using a note-taking app or something for managing tasks, locking down the device to that one app keeps you from getting sidetracked. No notifications, no accidental swiping to another app — just a laser focus on what you need to get done.

Parental Control Use Cases for Children’s Devices: This is one of the top reasons to use Guided Access. Kids grab your phone, and before you know it, they’re clicking on things they shouldn’t be. With Guided Access, you can open a game or an educational app and lock it there, ensuring they stay where you want them to. iPhone parental controls have a lot of tools, but this one adds that extra layer of hands-on control.

Temporary Restriction of Apps During Work or Study Sessions: Working or studying with distractions all around is a recipe for disaster. If you need to stay within one app, like a document editor or reading app, you can activate Guided Access and keep yourself locked into the task. No emails, no social media, no apps vying for your attention.

Configuring Content & Privacy Restrictions

Using Content & Privacy Restrictions to Disable Apps

If you need more control over what apps can be accessed on your iPhone — whether for work or child safety — Content & Privacy Restrictions are your go-to. It’s a feature built right into iOS, letting you manage everything from default apps to third-party downloads. No need to worry about others accessing something they shouldn’t.

Steps to Disable Default and Non-Apple Apps:

Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.
Select Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions by toggling the switch.
Tap Allowed Apps, and from here, you can choose which built-in apps, like Safari or the Camera, can be disabled.

For non-Apple apps, scroll further and hit App Restrictions. You can block apps based on their content rating, or even fully disable categories like social media or games. These settings give you the control you need to block apps based on how they’re being used, whether to boost work productivity or lock down access to social networking apps for kids.

How to Block Access to Specific Apps Based on Content Filters:

Head over to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Tap Content Restrictions, and you’ll see categories like Apps.
You can set limits based on app ratings, preventing certain apps from being accessed entirely. Perfect if you’re managing devices in a workplace, ensuring employees don’t get distracted by unnecessary apps.

Utilizing Content Restrictions for Work Devices or Child Safety: When deploying iPhones in a work environment, content restrictions help keep the focus where it should be. Block access to entertainment apps or even limit internet access if necessary. For kids? You’ll want to lock down anything outside of what’s age-appropriate, making sure they don’t download apps or games that go beyond your approval.

Blocking App Store Downloads and In-App Purchases

It’s one thing to restrict apps already on the device, but what about preventing people from downloading new ones or making in-app purchases? You can stop that too.

Preventing Users from Downloading New Apps or Making Purchases: To stop new apps from being downloaded or accidental purchases:

Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
Here, you’ll have options to disable app installations, prevent app deletion, and block in-app purchases altogether.

This feature is essential for family environments where you don’t want surprise app downloads or purchases on your bill. It’s equally useful for businesses, where employees might otherwise install unnecessary apps on company phones.

Steps to Disable App Installation and Deletion:

Inside Content & Privacy Restrictions, select iTunes & App Store Purchases.
For Installing Apps, choose Don’t Allow. Do the same for Deleting Apps.

Now, apps can’t be added or removed without your permission. You’ve essentially locked down the device from any unwanted changes.

Best Practices for Controlling App Store Usage in Business and Family Environments: In business settings, it’s critical to block apps that aren’t needed for work, and restricting App Store usage makes sure only approved apps are used. The same goes for family settings. Keeping control of app installations and in-app purchases prevents unwanted charges and ensures the device is used responsibly.

Managing Multiple iPhones with Apple Configurator

Introduction to Apple Configurator

Apple Configurator is a tool that takes the headache out of managing a fleet of iPhones. Whether you’re dealing with business devices or deploying phones to employees, Apple Configurator lets you set up, configure, and control multiple iPhones at once. It’s like having a remote control for all your company’s devices.

With this tool, you can push settings, apps, and restrictions to multiple iPhones in one go. No need to touch each device manually. It’s all about efficiency. The more devices you have, the more essential Apple Configurator becomes.

How it Helps Manage Multiple Devices in Business Environments:

You can create custom configuration profiles that install apps, set up Wi-Fi, or even lock down certain features on all devices.
You control what users can do on their devices. Want to block access to the App Store or prevent app deletions? Done.
Push these settings out to every iPhone in your organization in a single step. No more device-by-device tweaks. Just one click, and every iPhone gets the update.

Steps to Restrict and Configure Apps on Multiple Devices

Managing app restrictions across dozens of devices is where Apple Configurator shines. You start by setting up configuration profiles—these are the rules and settings that you want on each device. Once created, you can apply them to as many iPhones as you need.

Installing Configuration Profiles to Manage App Restrictions:

Open Apple Configurator on your Mac.
Connect the iPhones to your Mac via USB or over-the-air.
Create a new Blueprint. This is where you set up everything — app installations, restrictions, permissions.
In the Blueprint, choose Add Profile and start creating restrictions for apps. You can disable access to specific apps or block categories like social media and games.
Apply the Blueprint to all connected iPhones. Done.

Synchronizing Restrictions Across Devices: Once your profile is ready, you can synchronize these restrictions with any iPhone connected to Apple Configurator. All it takes is a single sync, and the settings roll out to every device in the network. The best part? You can do this without the users even knowing. No need for them to approve or activate anything.

Benefits for Businesses Managing Employee iPhones: This approach is ideal for business environments where control over devices is critical. Employees get only the tools they need, and nothing more. It keeps devices secure, compliant, and distraction-free. Plus, when you need to push updates or new restrictions, Apple Configurator makes sure every device stays in line with your policies.

FAQ On How To Disable Apps On iPhone

How do I disable pre-installed apps on iPhone?

Some pre-installed apps can be removed, while others can only be disabled. Go to Settings, navigate to Screen Time, and tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions. Here, you’ll find options to disable apps using specific restrictions.

Can I disable background app refresh on iPhone?

Absolutely. Open Settings, tap on General, then go to Background App Refresh. Choose to turn it off completely or select specific apps to disable. This helps save battery life and data usage.

How do I stop apps running in the background on iPhone?

To stop background apps, double-click the Home button or swipe up from the bottom (for models without a Home button) to access the App Switcher. Swipe up on the app cards to close them.

How do I disable notifications for apps on iPhone?

Navigate to Settings, then Notifications. Here, you can choose individual apps and toggle off their notifications. This reduces distractions and helps manage data usage more effectively.

Can I disable app access to mobile data on iPhone?

Yes, head to Settings, then Cellular. Scroll down to see a list of apps and toggle off the apps you want to restrict from using mobile data. This saves on your data usage.

How do I restrict app access to location services?

Open Settings, select Privacy, then Location Services. Choose the app you want to restrict and set its location access to Never, Ask Next Time, or While Using the App.

Is it possible to limit app usage on iPhone?

Indeed, go to Settings, then Screen Time. Tap App Limits and set daily time limits for specific app categories. This helps manage your iPhone’s performance and keeps third-party apps in check.

How can I hide apps on my iPhone?

To hide apps, tap and hold the app icon until it jiggles, then tap the “Remove App” option. Choose Remove from Home Screen. The app remains installed but is hidden from view, stored in the App Library.

How do I disable app permissions on iPhone?

Through Settings, tap on Privacy. Select the type of permission (e.g., Camera, Microphone) and toggle off the apps you want to restrict. This enhances your privacy settings.

How can I manage notifications for all apps at once?

In Settings, navigate to Notifications and toggle off Allow Notifications for apps to disable all notifications. For a more tailored approach, manage notifications individually. This helps minimize distractions and maintains battery life.

Conclusion

Knowing how to disable apps on iPhone enhances your device’s performance, secures your data, and optimizes storage. By following the guidelines to manage app permissions, background app refresh, and notifications, you gain full control over your iPhone’s settings.

Disabling pre-installed apps via Screen Time and using the App Switcher to stop background processes are efficient ways to keep your device running smoothly. Likewise, turning off unwanted notifications and restricting app usage through Content & Privacy Restrictions ensures a more streamlined experience.

By mastering these steps, you’ll not only maintain optimal iPhone performance but also extend battery life and protect your privacy. Implement these techniques and enjoy a more controlled, efficient iPhone experience.

Manage app permissions
Disable background app refresh
Control notifications
Use Screen Time for app restrictions

For any iPhone owner, these practices are essential skills.

Author
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Bogdan Sandu

Bogdan is a seasoned web designer and tech strategist, with a keen eye on emerging industry trends.

With over a decade in the tech field, Bogdan blends technical expertise with insights on business innovation in technology.

A regular contributor to TMS Outsource's blog, where you'll find sharp analyses on software development, tech business strategies, and global tech dynamics.