If you have never bought an iPhone, are about to or already did, you may be interested in learning more about the applications that come installed with iOS. In this article we delve into them, explaining what they are for and whether or not they can be uninstalled from the device.
You will not find third party services
Unlike what happens with other brands, Apple does not support third-party applications on its devices by default. Obviously, you can install all the ones you want once you access the App Store, but you won’t see them appear on your main screen the first time you open the iPhone. The company is strict in this regard and does not accept agreements with any other brand, so you will not have to “eat” the applications of telephone operators, games and others.
Are they always the same apps?
In the following sections we will tell you which applications are installed as standard on an iPhone, but it must be said that it will depend on its operating system, iOS. The apps that we will talk about will be installed on devices that have at least iOS 14 , however it is possible that some will not appear if the iPhone that you are going to acquire has an earlier version.
Pre-installed apps that can be deleted
Apple tv
This application is actually a compendium of several. On the one hand, it has all the movies for rent from the extinct iTunes, but it is also possible to find content from the Apple TV + platform as well as other streaming services that you have contracted, such as Disney + or HBO.
Files
This is the iPhone file manager, which works in a similar way to the Mac Finder. You can manage all the folders on your iPhone or the iCloud Drive cloud, as well as synchronize other services such as Dropbox or Google Drive and also have access from this app.
Shortcuts
This application comes from the purchase by Apple of a well-known application to create automations and recipes to execute actions on the iPhone.
Bag
Application focused on those experts who are interested in market capitalization or who are curious about these values.
Compass
Thanks to the sensors integrated in the iPhone it will be possible to have a digital compass in this application. Very useful for hikers, sailing enthusiasts and other tasks in which a compass is an essential tool.
Calendar
This is Apple’s event and appointment manager that syncs with the counterpart on other devices such as iPad and Mac.
House
Application used to manage all home automation devices connected to the iPhone, which must be compatible with HomeKit, which is what Apple calls this system.
Tips
Application that is very useful for newbies, as it shows a simple guide about the most basic functions of the iPhone.
Contacts
Here you can save your entire contact book, being able to add different data such as a photo, various phone numbers, emails, address and more. It is also accessible from a tab in the Phone app.
Facetime
This is Apple’s video calling service that works over the internet only with those brand devices that have it installed. It is also possible to make audio-only calls.
iTunes Store
Despite the arrival of the Apple TV application, in this application you can find the entire catalog of Apple movies and music, either to buy or rent.
books
Application that every book lover will value positively, since it allows downloading them in digital format and reading them from this same application.
This is the native Apple manager for emails. It allows you to add an account from different servers such as Google, Microsoft or Apple’s own @ icloud.com.
Maps
Apple mapping service that has useful and detailed information on roads, establishments or natural places. It also allows you to establish routes with instructions for walking, by car, by bicycle or by public transport.
Measurements
Augmented reality application that allows you to measure the length of real elements taking advantage of the iPhone’s camera sensors. It also hides a tab in which there is a level.
Music
In this application, not only does the Apple Music platform appear, but you can also synchronize all your songs from iTunes and other services here.
Notes
If you want to take notes on something, sticky notes, copy links or any other annotation, this is Apple’s native notes manager. It’s also available on iPadOS and macOS, so it syncs with them.
Voice Notes
The classic audio recorder in the form of a native Apple app. It does not have many functions, but it is just enough to take quick audio notes and even more professional recordings if you connect a microphone.
Podcast
Apple Podcast platform where you will find the main programs from around the world in a simple interface that invites you to discover new podcasts.
Reminders
If you are looking for a simple reminder or task manager that sends you sound and visual alerts, perhaps this one from Apple is more than enough for you.
Weather
Useful application with which to know meteorological data such as the temperature or the current wind and the forecast for the next hours and days.
Applications that cannot be uninstalled
Settings
Little explanation is needed about this application, its functionality and why it cannot be uninstalled. Here you will find all the possible configurations of the iPhone, either for more technical purposes such as WiFi or Bluetooth connections or the customization of ringtones, wallpapers and more.
App Store
This is the popular iOS application store where thousands of applications and games developed by third parties are hosted and that will be fully compatible with your device. All content goes through Apple’s strict security filters and it is also the only place from which applications can be downloaded on iPhone.
Search
Application from which you can access the location of your linked Apple devices, mark them as lost or make sounds on them. Also here you can locate the contacts added as friends.
Calculator
A simple and straightforward calculator that gains integers when used horizontally, as it takes advantage of the screen to incorporate more functions. In any case it is not a complete calculator, although it can be used for day to day perfectly.
Camera
Whether or not you are an expert in photography, this application is the one that will allow you to take photos or videos in the different formats that your phone supports, and you can also access a view of the gallery from its interface.
Photos
Apple’s photo and video gallery, which is made up of three main tabs where you will find all your photos, being able to create albums and sort them very easily.
Posts
In this application you will find all the SMS, MMS and other text messages that you receive to your mobile number. Also here you will find the exclusive iMessage service for Apple devices.
Watch
Application in which in addition to being able to know the local time and that of other territories, you can access a stopwatch, countdown and alarm clock.
Safari
This is the phone’s native browser and the one that will appear as the default to access search engines and web pages. Although it cannot be removed, it is possible to set another browser as the default from iOS 14.
Health
In this section you can add physical and medical data to be able to better control your health, in addition to being able to establish certain annotations for emergency cases. If you have an Apple Watch, the data obtained by it in its heart measurements and others will appear here.
Siri
The intelligent assistant from Apple that will serve for all kinds of tasks. From searching the internet, consulting data, making calls, logging events and much more. He even has a humorous streak capable of drawing a smile from his responses.
Phone
Herein lies the main functionality of any mobile phone and that is that it has a numeric interface from which to make calls, as well as access to contacts, voicemail and incoming and outgoing call log.
Wallet
Application in which it is possible to bring together debit and credit cards, as well as discount or gift checks and plane and train tickets.
Other native Apple apps
These are some other applications developed by Apple, but which may not come standard installed. They are free and can be found in the App Store:
Apple Store
It is the Apple online store, in which you can access to buy products that they have in the catalog, keep track of them or obtain guides and very practical manuals to get the most out of the devices.
Apple TV Remote
Application that acts as a remote control to control an Apple TV device.
Musical Pad
Just as you sometimes need to take quick notes in a moment of inspiration, this app does the same for musical inspirations. It allows you to quickly record high-quality and uncompressed audio, being optimized for instruments such as acoustic guitar or piano.
Clips
App similar to iMovie, but with even simpler tools with which even the little ones can have fun creating videos from images or other videos.
GarageBand
Despite the existence of applications more focused on audio editing and creation tasks, this is not far behind with an interface that allows all kinds of audio edits professionally.
iMovie
Apple’s native application for video editing, although it does not have powerful functions like FinalCut Pro, it does offer more than enough tools to make home videos.
iTunes Remote
The interface of this application allows you to easily control the Music, iTunes and Apple TV applications that are playing on any device.
iTunes U
This is a platform that helps teachers from all over the world to be able to teach their classes from an iPhone or iPad, with the possibility of creating lessons from applications, classifying tasks and even opening discussions in class.
Keynote
This would be the counterpart to Microsoft Powerpoint, since it allows you to create slides with all kinds of designs and effects so that the presentations you have to make look professional.
Numbers
In this case we find a tool very similar to Microsoft Excel, with the possibility of managing all kinds of accounting documents and other topics in a comfortable way.
Pages
Apple’s native processor very similar to the classic Microsoft Word. Although its usefulness is greater on a Mac or iPad, the truth is that it can also be interesting to have access to it from the iPhone.
Support
Application that can be used when you need technical support with an Apple device. In addition to finding tutorials, it is possible to arrange face-to-face appointments with company professionals.
What to do with apps that cannot be deleted?
It is true that even understanding the usefulness of some applications that are installed, it is possible that they are not useful on a day-to-day basis or that we simply do not want to have them in view. To remedy that they take up unnecessary space on the applications screen, there are two options:
- Send them to the Applications Library: if you have a version equal to or later than iOS 14, you can proceed to delete these apps as if they were any other and click on “Move to the apps library” so that they are stored on that screen of the right ordered automatically and without taking up space in the main ones.
- Create a folder for this purpose : if the option of sending them to the library does not work for you, perhaps you can create a folder yourself and store there all those native and even third-party apps without much frequent utility. That way it will only occupy a space on the screen and you can also quickly access them when you need them.
