Prevent apps from being deleted on iPhone
How to Prevent Apps from Being Deleted on iPhones and iPads
It's possible to use multiple techniques to properly enforce an app so that it can't be deleted.
If you're trying to enforce adult content filtering on an iPhone or iPad, chances are, you need to ensure that certain blocker apps can't be deleted. This is a common concern for parents managing a child's device, but it's also increasingly common for adults wanting to prevent themselves from deleting apps. In this guide, we'll explore the most effective ways to prevent apps from being deleted on iPhone.
You can use these links to quickly navigate to the relevant section below:
- App protection instructions for parents who trying to protect apps from being deleted on a Child's iPhone or iPad.
- App protection instructions for adults who are trying to prevent themselves or an accountability partner from deleting apps.
Protect Apps with Supervised Config Files
The most reliable way to protect apps from being deleted on an adult's iPhone is to use Apple config files.
This approach is a bit different then what you might expect - you'll add a config file to your iPhone (or accountability partner's iPhone) that protects apps from being deleted.
If you need a more reliable approach that can't be disabled, Config Files provide the most effective app protection approach for adults, especially if you are self-restricting your own iPhone or iPad.
Config Files take some setup before working as expected:
Supervised Mode is a requirement for Config Files to have advanced control over an adult's iPhone or iPad.
Once installed, the iPhone will only be able to remove apps from the Home Screen, but not uninstall any apps.
Protect Apps with Apple Family
If you're a parent trying to protect apps on a child's iPhone or iPad, iPhone parental controls are likely the best approach.
First, set up Apple Screen Time like this:
Set a Screen Time passcode that you (the parent) will remember. This should be a passcode that your child can't easily guess. If prompted, state that "this is a Child's iPhone."
Next, you should consider using Apple Family to enforce screen time restrictions from a parent's device.
If you're a parent who's set up Apple Family and both you and your child have separate iPhones/iPads, you can manage these same settings if you're the Family Organizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Supervised Config Files be removed?
Config Files can be protected from removal. When using the Apple Config Generator , you can select the option to protect the config from being removed.
How do I prevent apps from being deleted on an iPad?
The instructions in this guide will work for both iPhones and iPads.
If you're managing your child's device as a parent, you may need to ensure that the correct account is being used on an iPad.
How do I enable Apple Family?
If you're a parent trying to set up your child's iPhone or iPad, we strongly recommend checking Apple's official page for Apple Family for more information.
Why is Supervised Mode required to use Config Files?
Apple provides an alternative to Screen Time that is best suited for adults who want to set up restrictions for other adults (or themselves). Config Files can be used to make highly restrictive setups for an adult's iPhone or iPad that are difficult to undo. An Apple Config Generator can be used to set up these types of restrictions.
How do I enable Supervised Mode?
We have made resources available to Tech Lockdown members for enabling Supervised Mode .
What are the ways that apps can be deleted on an iPhone or iPad?
Apps can be deleted by long-pressing an app on the home screen or by finding the app in the settings app. If you protect apps from being deleted using our techniques outlined above, you'll protect deletion of apps regardless of how the user attempts to delete it.
How do I restrict usage of certain apps?
Another common request related to protecting apps is to actually block certain iPhone apps. For example, to effectively enforce adult content filtering on an iPhone or iPad, you would want to prevent conflicting apps from being added to the device.
Many of the same techniques mentioned in this guide can be repurposed for blocking apps (see our iPhone app blocking guide for more details). For example, an adult can use supervised app blocking to restrict unapproved apps.