iPhone family settings guide
How to Prevent App Deletion on iPhone
To prevent app deletion on iPhone, use Screen Time's Content & Privacy Restrictions, set Deleting Apps to Don't Allow, and protect the settings with a separate Screen Time passcode.
Start here
To prevent app deletion on iPhone, use Screen Time's Content & Privacy Restrictions, set Deleting Apps to Don't Allow, and protect the settings with a separate Screen Time passcode.
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Turn on Screen Time and set a separate passcode
Open Settings, choose Screen Time, then set a Screen Time passcode that is different from the device passcode. On a shared or child's device, this helps keep the agreed settings from being changed casually.
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Open Content & Privacy Restrictions
In Screen Time, choose Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn it on. This area contains the purchase and download controls that affect app removal.
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Disallow deleting apps
Open iTunes & App Store Purchases, choose Deleting Apps, then select Don't Allow. The exact menu label can vary a little by iOS version, but it is part of Screen Time purchase restrictions.
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Review installing apps and in-app purchases too
While you are there, decide whether Installing Apps and In-app Purchases should be allowed. These settings work best when they support a clear family agreement, not as a surprise restriction.
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Add an everyday focus routine
FocusLock can complement iPhone settings with one-tap app locking, focus sessions, schedules, and family controls for the moments when you want clearer app boundaries.
How to Block Apps on iPhone
Use Screen Time, schedules, and clearer routines to reduce distractions.
Read guideHow to Block Social Media During Study Time
Set up a calmer, repeatable study block for distracting apps.
Read guideCommon questions
Can I stop someone from deleting apps on iPhone?⌄
Yes. Screen Time includes a Content & Privacy Restrictions setting for app deletion. Set Deleting Apps to Don't Allow, then protect Screen Time with a separate passcode.
Is the Screen Time passcode the same as the iPhone passcode?⌄
It can be different, and using a separate Screen Time passcode is useful when you want the person using the phone to keep access to the device without changing the restrictions.
Can I also prevent new apps from being installed?⌄
Yes. The same Screen Time purchase restrictions include controls for installing apps and making in-app purchases. Review them together so the setup matches your household's needs.
Will this delete any existing apps?⌄
No. This setting controls whether apps can be deleted going forward. It does not remove apps already on the iPhone.