The built-in iPhone Wallet app will apparently be able to be deleted starting in iOS 16.1, according to code in today's iPadOS 16.1 beta that was found by 9to5Mac and confirmed by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser.
The code suggests the Wallet app will be downloadable from the App Store if it has been removed from an iPhone and the person with the iPhone attempts to use a feature like Apple Pay.
As of right now, the Wallet app can be removed from the iPhone's Home Screen and hidden from view, but it can't be entirely deleted, something that will change with the launch of iOS 16.1.
Since iOS 16.1 is not available right now, there is no way to test whether the Wallet app will be able to be deleted, so it's possible Apple could change some things before the update sees a launch later this year.
The Wallet app is a key iPhone app because it houses debit and credit cards for Apple Pay, handles Apple Pay Cash, is the home of Apple Card, and allows users to store loyalty cards, airline tickets, and more.
It is not clear why Apple would choose to allow users to delete the Wallet app, but the company is facing a class action lawsuit accusing it of violating antitrust law by making Apple Pay the only available mobile wallet for tap-to-pay payments on iPhone.
The iOS 16 update will come out at some point in September, while iOS 16.1 will follow alongside iPadOS 16.1 at a later date. Apple has delayed the launch of iPadOS 16 in order to work on the Stage Manager multitasking feature available to M1 iPads.
Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch.
Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More
Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio.
Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014.
Q.ai has...
Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by Juli Clover
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released.
iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Tuesday January 27, 2026 2:39 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Update: Apple Creator Studio is now available.
Apple Creator Studio launches this Wednesday, January 28. The all-in-one subscription provides access to the Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps, with U.S. pricing set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year.
A subscription to Apple Creator Studio also unlocks "intelligent features" and "premium...
Thursday January 29, 2026 2:40 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
On an earnings call with equity analysts today, Apple CEO Tim Cook responded to fast-rising RAM and SSD storage chip prices in the supply chain.
Cook said that rising memory chip prices had a "minimal impact" on Apple's gross margin in the fourth quarter of the 2025 calendar year, but he does expect a "bit more of an impact" on the company's gross margin in the current quarter.
Cook added ...
Apple gearing up for the inevitable government intrusion into its business. There will be third party Wallet apps that a very few loud mouthed complainers will tout. Those who take the bait will get screwed over yet blame Apple when they do. Just take a look in the Apple Card section of the Apple Discussion Forums to see how gullible and ignorant people are about finances and credit cards.
