Many iOS users have apps they rarely use but hesitate to remove, thinking they might need them later. These apps often take up valuable storage space while sitting unused.
If your iPhone or iPad is running out of space, offloading apps can help free up storage without losing important data. But what exactly does offloading an app on iOS involve?
Offloading allows you to remove the app while keeping its data intact for future use. Let’s consider what it means and how to use this feature.
Quick Answer
Offloading apps on iOS removes the app but keeps the data saved, freeing up space without losing important information.
Reinstalling the app lets you continue from where you left off. However, apps remain unusable until reinstalled and won’t function.
What does offloading apps on iPhone and iPad mean?
In the past, iOS only gave you two options for installed apps. You could keep the app on your device, which took up storage, or delete it completely.
There was no option to keep the app’s data while removing the app itself.
iOS then introduced a feature called app offloading. This option offers a middle ground between keeping or deleting an app.
When you offload an app, the system removes the app to free up storage but keeps the app’s data on your device.
Reinstalling the app lets it function as though it was never uninstalled, as the data remains on the device.
If you choose not to reinstall, manually delete the app’s data from iCloud to free up storage space.
How to Manually Offload Apps on iOS?
If you prefer manual control over which apps to offload, follow these steps:
- Open Settings and go to General > iPhone Storage.
- Ignore the Offload Unused Apps option, which handles this process automatically.
- Scroll through the list of apps and select the one you want to offload.
- Tap the Offload App and confirm your choice.
How to turn on or off automatic app offloading?
You can turn on automatic app offloading if you want your iOS device to manage it.
Go to the iPhone Storage screen, and you will find the option at the top. Tap Enable to activate it.
To stop automatic offloading, go to Settings > App Store and turn off the offloading feature.
Reinstalling Offloaded Apps
- Check the App Store Availability
To reinstall an offloaded app, ensure it’s still available in the iOS App Store. If it’s no longer listed, you won’t be able to reinstall it. Since developers follow strict guidelines to publish apps, it’s uncommon for them to disappear.
- Find the App in iPhone Storage
Scroll through your iPhone storage and find the app you want to restore. The cloud icon with an arrow indicates you removed the app to free up space. The file size displays the remaining data, helping you manage your storage efficiently.
- Reinstall the App
Tap “Reinstall App.” After it is complete, open the app, which will function like it was never uninstalled.