Great question. When you delete an app from your home screen (the jiggle method), all its data goes with it—saved games, login info, your embarrassing search history. It’s a clean break. But if you offload it via Settings, the app icon stays gray on your home screen, taunting you with its “Download” arrow. You can tap it to reinstall. It’s like a zombie that can come back to life.
My advice? Go nuclear. If you’re sure you’re done with an app, delete it completely. Your future self will thank you. Unless it’s a banking app—keep that one. And maybe your email. And definitely any app that holds your flight tickets. Use your judgment, genius.
One Last Thing: The Home Button Hack
On the iPhone 7, your Home button is not actually a button—it’s a haptic sensor that fakes a click. But it still works for this purpose. After your apps are jiggling, press it firmly (or gently, it’s fine) to lock them back in place. That’s how you exit the deletion mode. Simple, right? No force touch required, just a little faith.
So, go ahead. Raid your home screen. Delete that meme app from 2019. Say goodbye to “Reddit for slow internet” and “Flashlight Simulator.” Your iPhone 7 will feel lighter, faster, and you might even find that photo of your cat you forgot about. And if you mess up? Come back, I’ll still be here. We can chat about it over virtual coffee.
