Okay, let’s talk about your iPhone 7. Is it looking a little cluttered? Are you swiping through screens of apps you haven’t touched since 2019?

I get it. That home screen is like a digital junk drawer. But don’t worry—we can fix this together.

The Big Squeeze Method

First, grab your phone. Find that app you want to banish forever. Maybe it’s a game you “totally planned to play” or a fitness app that just judges you.

Now, press and hold your finger on the app’s icon. Don’t just tap it. Really hold it, like you’re having a moment with it.

After about a second, all your icons will start jiggling. It’s the iPhone’s way of saying, “Okay, fine, you win.”

If you press too hard, you might trigger 3D Touch—a weird shortcut menu. Don’t panic. Just lift your finger and try again with a lighter touch. You’re not wrestling a bear; you’re outsmarting a phone.

The Dreaded 'X'

See that little “X” in the corner of the app? That’s your escape button. Tap it.

Your phone will ask, “Delete this app?” Like it’s your conscience. But you know what? Say yes. Be ruthless.

Poof. The icon vanishes. No funeral, no sad music. Just a cleaner home screen. Feels good, right?

Wait—What About Pre-Installed Apps?

Ah, here’s the catch. Apple’s built-in apps like Stocks, Compass, or Tips are a bit stubborn. You can delete some, but not all of them.

For example, you can’t delete the Phone app. I mean, that would be hilarious. “Sorry, you can’t call anyone—it’s gone.”

How to Delete Apps on iPhone 7/iPhone 7 PlusHow to Delete Apps on iPhone 7/iPhone 7 Plus

But you can delete Mail, Calendar, Maps, and even iTunes Store. Go ahead—send them to app heaven.

When the 'X' Won’t Appear

Sometimes you hold an app and nothing happens. It just sits there, smug and jiggle-free. That usually means it’s a locked setting or a system app.

Check if you have Screen Time restrictions turned on. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. If “Deleting Apps” is set to Don’t Allow, flip it to Allow.

It’s like finding a hidden key to the pantry. You’re in charge now.

The Secret Offload Move

Here’s a pro tip for you. Instead of fully deleting an app, you can Offload it. This removes the app itself but keeps your documents and data.

Why would you do this? Say you installed a workout app but haven’t used it in months. Offloading frees up storage while saving your login info or progress. It’s like packing away winter clothes instead of setting them on fire.

To offload, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Find the app, tap it, then choose Offload App. Genius, right?

The Out-of-Space Panic

If your iPhone 7 is constantly screaming “Storage Almost Full,” you’re not alone. That thing came with a tiny 16GB or 32GB starting storage. Criminal, I know.

Deleting big games like Fortnite (RIP) or Genshin Impact can free up gigabytes. Seriously, those apps eat storage like I eat popcorn—aggressively.

How to Delete Apps From Your iPhoneHow to Delete Apps From Your iPhone

Also, check the Phone app. You probably have thousands of photos of your cat or blurry screenshots. Delete those too! Your phone is gasping for air.

What About Apps That Won’t Budge?

Sometimes an app gets stuck. It jiggles but no “X” appears. This happens with iOS 10 or earlier or apps that are currently updating.

Reboot your phone. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button together until the Apple logo shows up. Yes, the old Home button—cherish it while it lasts.

After it restarts, try the jiggle method again. If it still fights you, make a shortcut folder and bury it on page 5. Out of sight, out of mind.

Deleting vs Hiding

Remember: deleting an app from the home screen removes it entirely. Hiding it just moves it to the App Library—that’s a drawer on your last page for apps you barely use.

If you just want to clean up visual clutter, hide apps instead. But if you want to save space, delete, delete, delete. There’s no trophy for “App Hoarder 2023.”

Final Coffee Shop Wisdom

So, go ahead. Spend ten minutes doing this. You’ll feel like a digital Marie Kondo—only with more sarcasm.

Your iPhone 7 will run a tiny bit faster. Your battery might even last an extra thirty minutes. Okay, probably not, but let me dream.

Now, tell me: what’s the first app you’re banishing today? I’m betting it’s that news app you never open. Go on—hit that “X” like you mean it.