Why can we not delete the pre installed apps on an iDevice?
Asked by
AshlynM (
10684
)
May 6th, 2012
All of the pre-loaded apps I have no use for and never intend on using. (Such as Stocks, Safari, Weather, Contacts, Clock, Game Center)So why is there no ability to delete them? I’m aware you can put them in a folder and hide them that way, but I’d like the option to completely remove them. And I’m also aware of the “wiggle” mode to delete apps you downloaded yourself. For a temporary solution, I’ve put all the apps mentioned in a folder labeled “junk.”
An app I cannot put in a folder is Newsstand. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to hide this app but so far, no luck. I don’t like my homescreen on my iDevice to be cluttered and I’d like to be able to delete apps I have no use for.
Also, I’ve previously jailbroken my device before but ended up not liking it and I know there’s an app for deleting pre loaded apps in jailbroken mode but I prefer not to jailbreak again.
If anyone has any suggestions, please share. Thanks!
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6 Answers
Two answers. One is technical and the other is philosophical.
The technical answer is that they mounted those application a write-protected partition and you, as a non-superuser, lack the permission/authority to delete these. Only a jailbroken (in Unix terms, a superuser) phone has that ability.
The philosophical answer, of course, is that Apple thinks people are stupid and doesn’t trust them to control their own equipment. So they control everything and lock down the phone.
That is why I bought my Android. I have control. Not the late Steve Jobs.
@elbanditoroso explained the why, but the bottom line is that you can’t delete the preinstalled apps, unless, as you mentioned, you want to jailbreak the phone and you don’t want to do that. There are only work-arounds, like you tried, putting them in a folder.
This is another work around
Basically, you get into “wiggle mode” and then move all the apps you don’t want to the last page. Then you will just have to use your imagination and pretend the apps are gone. :-) At least they won’t be on your homepage.
These are all installed as part of the operating system. You can’t remove them at all.
WHY can’t we remove them? What’s the logic behind it?
@AshlynM – control. Steve Jobs and his henchmen designed the whole apple experience. He didn’t think that anyone should have the ability to change his view of things.
There is probably some monetary incentive as well.
It’s not just Apple – Steve Jobs. Microsoft has lotsa BLOATWARE. It is a all about software and ways of offsetting costs. They charge the additional items companies for loading with the “Operating System” or add they own little twist to control your phone… tablet… computer…. HDTV…..
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