watchOS 9.4 Lets You Delete Built-In Apps Right From Apple Watch

The watchOS 9.4 update that came out today has a hidden feature that is designed to allow you to delete built-in apps directly from the Apple Watch. Apple did not mention this function in the release notes for the update, but a support document on deleting built-in apps from various devices has been updated.

apple watch ultra purple
According to Apple, the following apps can be deleted from the Apple Watch if you are running watchOS 9.4 or later:

  • Activity
  • Depth
  • Emergency Siren
  • Find My
  • Heart Rate
  • Maps
  • Wallet
  • Workout
  • World Clock

Prior to watchOS 9.4, you could remove an app from your Apple Watch by removing it from your iPhone, but the app needed to be deleted from both devices. With watchOS 9.4, you can delete an app like Activity or Maps on your Apple Watch, leaving it intact on the ‌iPhone‌.

Apple warns that deleting built-in apps can affect core device functionality. If you delete the Heart Rate app, for example, the Apple Watch is not able to send high heart rate, low heart rate, irregular rhythm, and cardio fitness notifications.

Apple has come under fire for requiring that its apps be installed on ‌iPhone‌, iPad, and Apple Watch devices, so it has been implementing tools for deleting the apps over the last several years. iOS 14 in particular added support for deleting a wide variety of built-in apps, which is useful for those who prefer to use third-party alternatives.

Related Roundup: watchOS 11
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Top Rated Comments

Awsaim Avatar
25 months ago
Still can’t delete the ovulation tracking app ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TwistedMarbles Avatar
25 months ago

Still can’t delete the ovulation tracking app ?
It was already previously removable. From the watch itself on the grid view screen showing all apps just press and hold screen then choose “edit apps” and then tap the X on the app to remove it. I long ago removed it from mine.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
patent10021 Avatar
25 months ago
Too bad we can't delete apps via Siri.

"Siri, delete all apps I haven't used in three months".
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alayal Avatar
25 months ago

How in the world can we delete apps like Activity and Heart Rate but not Audiobooks?
you are right this is insane, I ****ing hate to have an audiobook app I will never use
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macsplusmacs Avatar
25 months ago
I wanted to do this just this morning.

Nice.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IIGS User Avatar
25 months ago

Still can’t delete the ovulation tracking app ?
Are you ovulating? You know you can't delete an app or file that's actively being used. :p
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)