iOS 10 won’t actually let you delete stock Apple apps, just “remove” them

Earlier this week, we learned that iOS 10 includes one long-requested feature we never thought Apple would deliver: the ability to delete stock apps from your iPhone. Unfortunately, it turns out that’s not exactly the case.

You really can remove most of Apple’s pre-installed apps with iOS 10, but that doesn’t mean they’re totally gone from your device. Instead, your data will be wiped from each app but the application will still be there, just hidden out of sight. If you re-download that app it simply syncs back up with the rest of iOS.

Apple’s software engineering chief Craig Federighi explained the distinction during a live podcast with Apple blogger John Gruber. The recording isn’t available online yet, but MacRumors has the full rundown. The interview, which also features Cupertino marketing chief Phil Schiller, touches on the big changes coming to Messages, Siri’s new API and more.

Removing those annoying stock apps may still open up a little space on your iPhone, which could come in handy if you only have 16GB of storage to begin with. Unfortunately, it won’t make a huge difference, but Apple’s lightweight apps probably weren’t the real issue to begin with. If you need to clear up some room on your iPhone, your best bet is probably deleting a few bulkier third-party apps or moving all your photos to the cloud.