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3 Preinstalled iPhone Apps You Should Delete Because They Waste So Much Storage

November 15, 2025 by Abigail Connolly

 
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When you own an iPhone, it comes with all sorts of preinstalled apps that you believe may serve your interests, but at some point, they might not.

One of the perks of iPhones is having just about every single functional app you could need installed and ready to go on your device as soon as you get it. Preinstalled apps allow you to make notes, record memos, make art, etc., but after a few months or years of using your device, there comes a time when they might not serve any purpose but taking up space on your phone. If you need to free up some storage on your phone, here are three preinstalled iPhone apps you can delete.

1. Books

The Books app on iPhone is Apple's preinstalled space for reading and listening to digital books and audiobooks. Users can purchase books from the Apple Books Store or upload their own stories, making it a neat app for literary lovers. While it's convenient for avid readers, the app can take up a surprising amount of storage, especially if you've downloaded multiple books or large audiobook files for offline access.

Therefore, if you use a separate device like a Kindle for reading, listen to audiobooks on streaming platforms, or simply prefer to read physical copies, you might want to delete the Books app to save on space and keep your phone running smoothly.

2. iMovie

If you had an iPhone in the mid-2010s and you were a teenager, there's a good chance you played around with iMovie for fun, making short films or music videos. Perhaps you even used it for a school project, as iMovie gives people the cool opportunity to create and edit films on their cellphones.

However, these days, there are so many other kinds of filmmaking platforms and apps, and if you're serious about film or content creation, you're probably using those. Therefore, iMovie is just sitting there. The app surprisingly holds a lot of data and files that are likely collecting dust on your device.

3. GarageBand

Like iMovie, GarageBand was once one of those apps that felt exciting and fun to play around with on an iPhone, but its popularity has dipped as newer, more advanced music-making platforms have taken over. Unless you're someone who regularly writes music, there's a good chance GarageBand has been sitting on your phone untouched for a while now.

The app also takes up a hefty amount of storage thanks to its extensive collection of loops, instruments, and sound packs. If you're not actively making music, that space could be put to much better use for other apps, photos, or even important updates. Removing GarageBand can free up extra storage and help your device run a bit smoother overall.

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