How do I delete / remove an iPhone app that is stuck installing?

How do I delete / remove an iPhone app that is stuck installing?

Sometimes iPhone applications get stuck waiting or loading when installing. These apps might be frozen with a blank icon and no way to remove them for days. Holding down on the home screen to delete the stuck app won't even show the black circle with an "x" that appears on other icons. Here are instructions on how to delete these waiting applications:

  1. Reboot your iPhone normally. See this link for instructions on how to restart your iPhone.
  2. If the apps are still stuck on the home screen, try logging out of the App Store temporarily. Navigate to Settings -> Store -> Apple ID -> Sign Out. Now open the App Store and Navigate to the Featured section. Scroll to the bottom of the page and touch the Sign In -> Use Existing Apple ID. Log in and the stuck apps should reset.
  3. Still have strange icons on the screen or frozen downloading apps? Connect your iPhone to the computer and open iTunes. Navigate to the app store. Install the apps you are having a problem with on the computer then sync your iPhone.

Newest iPhone FAQs

VIEW ALL FAQS

tags: 
iPhone Applications

Comments

Marj replied on

I have this waiting app on my iphone screen (and I don't know what it is) won't delete with this fix.
It's a string of numbers "76587616188015..." it's been in waiting mode for days, but I can't cancel it or delete it. Anyone? i just tried deleting icloud data. that didn't fixit.
Is it doing anything in the background that I should be concerned about or is it gonna be a mole on the face of my screen that I have to live with?

Red replied on

It doesnt show up there for me like it doesn't exist on the phone because it's just stuck preparing for the download

Kara Hawkins replied on

Thank you so much! I tried to update an app and it freaked out right in the middle. It has taken me 2 weeks and nothing worked! Found your advice and it FINALLY WORKED! Thank you so much!

Rue replied on

This actually worked. Thanks

Faiza replied on

It works...thank u so much dear

peter replied on

Hi, My app still doesn't appear under storage, and the method listed on the page doesn't work either, I have an Iphone 4s, is there any other way to get it to work?

Clayton replied on

Re download the app from the App Store and then delete it from storage as shown above. I had the same issue and redownloading was the key trick.

Erik replied on

Thanks, great tip, worked for me!

Bon replied on

I'm in storage and see my apps, but can't delete any apps, it only show documents & data when i click each apps. my phone is iphone5s.

Lesley replied on

Legend!

OldSchool1 replied on

GREAT idea - simple way to prevail when your computer & iTunes are a thousand miles away. Thanks for taking the time to remind us of this workaround !!

Leslie McBride replied on

That works..thanks so much!!

Katie replied on

Thank you sooo much! I did everything Apple told me to do and nothing worked but, you method.

Grateful replied on

Thanks so much. That was very helpful and worked for me.

Natasha owen replied on

What if the app doesn't show up in usage?

Scott replied on

Brilliant! Thank you so much!

Bob replied on

Thank you so much this helped me so much I didn't even know it was that simple

Todd replied on

That worked! Thx

RLH replied on

Thanks so much for this tip! I've been struggling with deleting a pesky app that would not go away - until now!

Steven Pagano replied on

thanks, you saved the day

Chris Slone replied on

I go to usage and delete Pokemon go then back to home screen back to usage and it’s back have tried 30 times and hard resets several times any thoughts

Anonymous replied on

tried all three steps, darn app still there... pls help

JuSt*FoR*FuN replied on

Maybe u should turn off and on?

Anonymous replied on

I tried that with the twitter app, and now I can't download my twitter app again because AppStore says I already have it downloaded which I don't so :(

Tiffany replied on

Hey did you ever figure out how to fix that because I'm having the same problem right now but for kik messenger

Amanda replied on

Me too!!! I can't delete Kik it's been stuck downloading for 2 days!!!

Mark1269 replied on

I had same problem, held the home & power button to restart iPad, then signed out then back in iTunes account, and redownloaded that app, worked for me.

Mandy replied on

Tried everything to get rid of app, it'll jiggle show the X choose delete but it just sits there! Getting frustrated, done soft reset and signed in and out of iTunes, can't get rid of it? Any help mate

Syrup replied on

My app was stuck "Waiting." After signing out of the iTunes store and signing back in, I was able to redownload the app. In the middle of "Installing," which is further along than it was before, the app disappeared :o
After redownloading again, the app now works. :)

Anonymous replied on

Can't play Pokemon go because of it :(

Pages