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iOS users may eventually be able to remove unwanted default apps, says Apple's Tim Cook

Apple is looking at allowing iOS users to delete some preloaded apps, though others will probably have to remain, according to CEO Tim Cook.

"This is a more complex issue than it first appears," he said in a BuzzFeed interview on the way to the Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York City on Wednesday. Cook made an appearance alongside SVP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue.

"There are some apps that are linked to something else on the iPhone," Cook continued. "If they were to be removed they might cause issues elsewhere on the phone. There are other apps that aren't like that. So over time, I think with the ones that aren't like that, we'll figure out a way," he said.

The executive added that the company is actively considering the problem, but didn't offer a timeline.

iOS has gradually accumulated a large number of default apps. Some such as Maps, Weather, and Safari are widely used, but others — like Tips, Stocks, Newsstand, and Apple Watch — are not always helpful and can take up storage and homescreen space. The homescreen problem is often solved by dumping apps into a single folder.

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Apple is unlikely to fix the broader issue until sometime in 2016. iOS 9 is due to launch on Wednesday, and while 9.1 may be ready by November, there has be no sign of improved app deletion in current betas.



110 Comments

SpamSandwich 20 Years · 32917 comments

Just hide them on a different screen if they're really that bothersome. Some people... ????

phone-ui-guy 19 Years · 1018 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by SpamSandwich 

Just hide them on a different screen if they're really that bothersome. Some people... ????

 

I think we all do that. I can understand people wanting to remove them to save space, but at least let us hide them in the freaking launcher. 

shev 14 Years · 83 comments

It's ridiculous that this hasn't happened as of yet. Pull your collective finger out

dws-2 23 Years · 278 comments

For me, hiding them all in a folder just seems messy, like a pile of crap in the corner of an otherwise clean room. However, at least they aren't adware or horrible apps like on a lot of Android phones, and I like that Cook is willing to admit they are an issue.

pmz 16 Years · 3429 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shev 

It's ridiculous that this hasn't happened as of yet. Pull your collective finger out


Its ridiculous that anyone thinks this needs to happen at all.