How to make iOS 9's default apps disappear

Last updated 8 years ago

While Apple is still working on an official method of dealing with unwanted default apps in iOS, a glitch in iOS 9 through 9.2 will let people temporarily push them out of sight.

As seen in the video below, users have to move the unwanted apps into a folder, and then drag them as far to the right as possible, beyond any and all of the folder's tabs. With an app still suspended "mid-air," hitting the Home button simultaneously will cause it to vanish.

Apps hidden this way aren't permanently deleted — instead, they return only once an iOS device is rebooted. Simply putting a device to sleep leaves them invisible.

Another trick will permanently conceal apps by way of invisible folders, but this involves a more complex set of steps, and using gray wallpaper to complete the illusion.

In September, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that the company is working on a way of removing some default apps. Other apps may have to remain however, as they're connected to critical iOS functions.

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17 Comments

maxit 222 comments · 10 Years

About 8 years ago

The most silly trick ever seen ... :/

Prof_Peabody 114 comments · 9 Years

About 8 years ago

I don't see why people bother with this stuff. It's not a real solution. It's hardly any different from having the " crap" folder on the last page that everyone seems to have.

Also, I can't think of a single week (certainly not a month), that I haven't had to reboot my phone at least once. Add that to the multiple OS updates each year and you will be performing this nonsense at least a couple of dozen times a year. For what? One would have to be crazy obsessive to do this, and keep it up.

entropys 4302 comments · 13 Years

About 8 years ago

I am sure they have been working real real hard to have them removable, ever since 2007.

For a company that prides itself on having no adware in macs, it is surprising they have these in iOS. I couldnt give give a stuff personally, they all live maintenance free in a folder called 'useless' on the last home screen, where I forget they exist.

Prof_Peabody 114 comments · 9 Years

About 8 years ago

entropys said:

I am sure they have been working real real hard to have them removable, ever since 2007.

For a company that prides itself on having no adware in macs, it is surprising they have these in iOS. I couldnt give give a stuff personally, they all live maintenance free in a folder called 'useless' on the last home screen, where I forget they exist.

Apple has actually recently started putting adverts in OS X as well as iOS. For instance the store app will always open to the promotions page, even if you call it from a dialogue about an update. And two of the five tabs in iTunes show promotional material for Apple Music unless you dig into the settings and disable it. All new installations of iTunes will show a bunch more things about Apple Music and a splash screen unless you disable that as well.

It's definitely not as bad as iOS which has even more adverts for Apple services, but they are there in OS X already.

There has also been a few times lately when all this stuff is reset with an OS update (against the users wishes), to ensure that everyone sees the adverts at least a couple of times. It's only a matter of time before we see car adverts too I suppose.

bobschlob 1074 comments · 11 Years

About 8 years ago

Oh goody. This is definitely top of my pet peeve list.
I was all ready to go to Android. But now that I can hide these apps, maybe I stick around after all.