14 DAY TRIAL // Bloatware has always been a problem, no matter the device, operating system, or manufacturer, and Apple makes no exception. Some of the apps that are pre-installed on iPhones and iPads are pretty useless for a number of customers and unfortunately, there’s no way to remove them simply because Apple does not allow them to.
But it appears that Cupertino could change this with the upcoming iOS 10, as AppAdvice came across new code used by Apple, which seems to indicate that the company might allow users to hide unwanted apps.
The iTunes metadata now stores new keys called “isFirstParty” and “isFirstPartyHideableApp,” which could be a sign that Apple is looking into ways to allow users to deal with the apps they don’t need on their iPhones. But even if Apple introduces such a feature, it comes with a catch.
Hideable, not removable
It appears that what Apple is trying to do is offer an option to actually hide these apps and not to remove them. This means that should you use this option, the apps you select will no longer show up on your home screen, but they will be there on the device.
Although it might not make too much sense for you, it actually does for Apple. Recently, Tim Cook explained that allowing users to remove pre-installed apps could significantly impact system stability and reliability.
“This is a more complex issue than it first appears. There are some apps that are linked to something else on the iPhone. If they were to be removed they might cause issues elsewhere on the phone. There are other apps that aren’t like that. So over time, I think with the ones that aren’t like that, we’ll figure out a way [for you to remove them],” the Apple CEO explained in an interview with Buzzfeed.
As usual, the company doesn’t want to comment anything on these rumors, but given the fact that the Worldwide Developers Conference to be held in June is approaching, more information on this should be provided soon.
As for iOS 10, it’s still hard to predict when it could launch, and while some people claim that it might be pre-installed on the iPhone 7, others say that Apple needs more time to complete development. Information in this regard should also be offered at WWDC in the summer.