by Max Lehmann

Created on: January 19, 2011

One of the big selling points of the iPhone is that it "just works" and most of what a user wants to do is intuitive. Sometimes, for a subset of users, things aren't obvious and it is necessary to look up how to do things. Uninstalling applications is not a daily interaction, and as such it may not be as clear as it ought to be, but the phone doesn't come with a comprehensive manual. By the time the user needs to remove apps to make space for more content the flimsy introductory leaflet that reveals some of the lesser known tips has probably been discarded.

Never fear! Removing an application from an iPhone is actually very simple, and shouldn't be a cause for concern. The process also reveals some important interaction that can be useful for better organisation, too.

The secret to getting started with the removal is that the user needs to press and hold one of the icons. People grow used to swiping, tapping the screen, and dragging things around, but holding the position when tapping is something of a foreign experience, so after recognising that the home screens don't let users drag and drop instantly, many become confused.

Holding the application icons for just a couple of seconds leads to a suprisingly animated screen wherein all the icons begin to jiggle around, inviting further interaction. This has effectively released them from their locked position and it also reveals a red X on each icon. To remove an application, simply click its icon and it will be removed.

Don't worry too much about removing applications that were expensive. Anything paid for once can be downloaded again for free.

Don't be surprised if the app you try to remove cannot be removed. Certain items, the ones that come as defaults on a brand new phone, are ones that you will, unfortunately, be stuck with. Don't worry though - as mentioned the items are now released and can be pushed around, even onto a separate screen. If you never want to be plagued by the icon for Stock and Shares again, just push it off to the right until it ends up on a screen of its own. You can also create folders to store icons, by pushing them onto one another, and the folders can also be shoved around the screens!

Finally, once you're happy with the new position of your icons, it's time to set them back in place and kill the vibrating jiggling motion. Again, it's not entirely obvious, but all you need to do is press the home screen.

Knowing this small bit of information about holding down the icons gives a user full access to organising the screens. Depending on why the user wanted to delete things, perhaps it might be a better solution to re-organise the screens in this way, rather than deleting the applications.

Learn more about this author, Max Lehmann.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.