Apple's iOS 16 lets you remove 30 stock apps

By William Gallagher

Apple is increasing the number of pre-installed iPhone apps that can be removed, with the beta of iOS 16 now allowing 30 to be deleted.

As Apple releases the first beta of iOS 16, developers have been finding what unannounced new features are being added -- and now removed. After some years of increasing how many of its own apps can now be removed, Apple's iOS 16 brings the total to 30.

The iOS 16 apps that can be removed may change over the course of the beta, though it's likely the total will either increase or stay the same.

Removing apps doesn't always remove functionality

Apple has not commented, and is unlikely to before iOS 16 is publicly released. However, it has previously commented on how removing certain apps, does not necessarily mean that this app's whole functionality is gone.

For instance, you can remove the Contacts app but according to an Apple support document, "all of your contact information will remain in the Phone app." Apple does separately say that contact information also "remains available through Phone, Messages, Mail, FaceTime," and more, but to "remove a contact, you must restore Contacts."

Similarly, even if users delete the FaceTime app, they can still make a receive FaceTime calls via the Contacts or Phone apps. Deleting Apple Books, Maps, Music, or Podcasts apps means "they won't be available to use with CarPlay."

The procedure for uninstalling an app in iOS 16 remains as it was.