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Apple ships every iPhone with two dozen apps you never asked for. Some you can delete. Some you can’t. Here’s how to deal with both.
1. Delete the ones Apple actually lets you remove
Press and hold any app icon until everything starts wiggling. Tap the minus sign on the unwanted app (Mail, Weather, Stocks, whatever), then Delete App. Done.
This works for most of Apple’s bloatware since iOS 10. You can always reinstall them from the App Store if you change your mind, but you won’t.
2. Hide the undeletable ones in a junk folder
Some apps refuse to die (Settings, Photos, Messages, Safari). Apple won’t let you delete these no matter how hard you press.
Create a new folder by dragging one unwanted app onto another. Name it something like "Apple Junk" or just leave it blank. Shove all the undeletable apps in there and drag the folder to your last home screen. Out of sight.
3. Swap Safari and Mail for better alternatives
You can’t delete Safari or Mail, but you can ignore them completely. Install Chrome or Firefox, then go to Settings > Safari (or Mail) and there’s no default browser setting because Apple’s not that generous yet.
Actually, as of iOS 14, you can set default browsers and email apps. Settings > Safari > Default Browser App. Pick something that doesn’t make you want to throw your phone.
4. Turn off Siri suggestions
If you hide an app but iOS keeps suggesting you open it anyway, that’s Siri being "helpful." Settings > Siri & Search > scroll to the app > toggle off all the suggestion options.
Now it’ll stop appearing in search results and on your lock screen like an ex who won’t take the hint.
