How do I delete an APPLE purchase?

Streamlining Your Digital Life: How to Manage and Hide Apple App Store Purchases

We all accumulate things, both in the physical and digital world. And just as you might declutter your home, tidying up your Apple App Store purchase history can provide a sense of control and keep your digital life organized. While you can’t technically delete a purchase, you can easily hide them from your purchase history, effectively removing them from view. This streamlined process helps keep your device’s library clean and manageable.

Why would you want to hide an app? There are several reasons:

• Cleanliness and Organization: Maybe you downloaded an app you didn’t end up liking or using. Hiding it keeps your purchase history free from clutter and makes it easier to find the apps you actually use.
• Family Sharing Privacy: While Family Sharing is a fantastic feature, you might prefer to keep certain purchases private from other family members. Hiding an app purchase prevents it from appearing in their purchased apps list.
• Removing Outdated or No Longer Supported Apps: Some apps may no longer be supported by developers or may be outdated versions you no longer need to see. Hiding them keeps your library current.

Here’s how to effectively manage your App Store purchases and hide unwanted applications:

Steps to Hide App Store Purchases on Your iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the App Store: Locate and tap the App Store icon on your home screen.
2. Access Your Profile: Tap your profile picture or initials in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Navigate to Purchased: Look for and select the “Purchased” option. This will show you a list of all apps you’ve ever purchased with your Apple ID.
4. Select “My Purchases”: If you have Family Sharing enabled, you might see a list of family members. Choose “My Purchases” to view your personal purchase history.
5. Find the App to Hide: Scroll through the list or use the search bar to locate the app you want to hide.
6. Swipe and Hide: This is the key step! Swipe left on the app you want to hide. A “Hide” button will appear.
7. Tap “Hide”: Tap the “Hide” button. The app will disappear from your purchase history.

Important Considerations:

• Hiding Doesn’t Delete: Remember, hiding an app doesn’t delete it from your account. You can still download it again in the future if you need it. It simply removes it from your visible purchase history.
• Family Sharing Implications: Hiding an app purchase will prevent it from being visible in the purchased apps list of other members of your Family Sharing group.
• Mac App Store: The process is similar on the Mac App Store. Open the App Store app, click your name in the bottom left corner, then find the app and right-click to hide it.

Unhiding Purchased Apps (If You Change Your Mind):

If you ever want to see your hidden apps again, you can easily unhide them.

1. On your iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > View Account > Hidden Purchases.
2. On your Mac: Open the App Store, click your name in the bottom left, then click “View Information” in the top right. Scroll down to “Hidden Items” and click “Manage.”

From here, you can unhide any apps you previously hid.

By following these simple steps, you can maintain a clean and organized App Store library, focusing on the apps that are important to you and keeping your digital footprint tidy. It’s a small task that can make a big difference in how you manage your digital life.