How do I "reset" an app to its default state?

[Nermal]

Hi everyone,

I have an app on my iPhone that's used for tracking certain data, and I want to clear it all out and restart "fresh", as if it's the first time I've ever used the app. In the good old days you could just delete the app and reinstall it from the App Store, but it seems that that's not sufficient any more.

The app originally asked me to create a free account. I created one via Sign In With Apple. When attempting to delete the app, I:

- Deleted the app from the iPhone, choosing to delete its data (i.e. I didn't just offload it).
- Went into the Sign In With Apple settings and deleted the account from in there.
- Went into the iCloud storage and confirmed that the app is not listed in there.

However, when I reinstall it from the App Store, it immediately picks up my previous settings from somewhere and shows all my old data. I have no idea where that "somewhere" is.

So, my question is simple: How do I fully clear out an app's data and do a fresh install?

 

[winxmac]

Ever since App Library was introduced in iOS 14, the proper way to delete the app is either through Settings or App Library. Pressing and holding the app on the home screen will only show Remove the app. If you press and hold the app icon within the App Library, Delete app will show up instead.

 

[TokyoKiller]

Hi everyone,

I have an app on my iPhone that's used for tracking certain data, and I want to clear it all out and restart "fresh", as if it's the first time I've ever used the app. In the good old days you could just delete the app and reinstall it from the App Store, but it seems that that's not sufficient any more.

The app originally asked me to create a free account. I created one via Sign In With Apple. When attempting to delete the app, I:

- Deleted the app from the iPhone, choosing to delete its data (i.e. I didn't just offload it).
- Went into the Sign In With Apple settings and deleted the account from in there.
- Went into the iCloud storage and confirmed that the app is not listed in there.

However, when I reinstall it from the App Store, it immediately picks up my previous settings from somewhere and shows all my old data. I have no idea where that "somewhere" is.

So, my question is simple: How do I fully clear out an app's data and do a fresh install?

Are you signing in with Apple every time you download this app before being able to proceed into the user interface? If so, you might have to delete the account through the app first somewhere.

 

[Artemiz]

If there’s an option to delete the account via the app, it’s the best option.

Other option:
1. Make sure to uncheck the iCloud storage first for the app
2. Log out of the app
3. Delete Apple sign in account from Settings
4. Delete the app
5. Force restart iPhone

This should clear any remaining cache associated with the app and should ask you to create a new account next time when you open the app.

 

[ifxf]

Ever since App Library was introduced in iOS 14, the proper way to delete the app is either through Settings or App Library. Pressing and holding the app on the home screen will only show Remove the app. If you press and hold the app icon within the App Library, Delete app will show up instead.

You are incorrect, selecting Remove app from the home screen will present an additional popup to Delete or Remove from Home.

 

[anshuvorty]

Hi everyone,

I have an app on my iPhone that's used for tracking certain data, and I want to clear it all out and restart "fresh", as if it's the first time I've ever used the app. In the good old days you could just delete the app and reinstall it from the App Store, but it seems that that's not sufficient any more.

The app originally asked me to create a free account. I created one via Sign In With Apple. When attempting to delete the app, I:

- Deleted the app from the iPhone, choosing to delete its data (i.e. I didn't just offload it).
- Went into the Sign In With Apple settings and deleted the account from in there.
- Went into the iCloud storage and confirmed that the app is not listed in there.

However, when I reinstall it from the App Store, it immediately picks up my previous settings from somewhere and shows all my old data. I have no idea where that "somewhere" is.

So, my question is simple: How do I fully clear out an app's data and do a fresh install?

Delete it and reinstall it from the App Store?

 

[BigMcGuire]

In my experience, deleting the app clears the local cache/data as I've had to do this to bloated apps in the past. Is it possible the app recognizes your session from somewhere else and reinstates that on their end?

Only other thing I'd try is a volume up + volume down + hold power to reboot the phone and see if that triggers the cache clear after uninstalling.

 

[HouseLannister]

- Went into the iCloud storage and confirmed that the app is not listed in there.

Not just storage. You also need to turn if off in the Saved to iCloud section and the iCloud backup for that app as part of your overall device backup. It is still syncing back to device somewhere from iCloud. That should fix it.

 

[Nermal]

Not just storage. You also need to turn if off in the Saved to iCloud section and the iCloud backup for that app as part of your overall device backup. It is still syncing back to device somewhere from iCloud. That should fix it.

It doesn't show up in Saved to iCloud either, and I don't have iCloud backups enabled (I back up using Finder instead).

Only other thing I'd try is a volume up + volume down + hold power to reboot the phone and see if that triggers the cache clear after uninstalling.

That didn't help.

Are you signing in with Apple every time you download this app before being able to proceed into the user interface? If so, you might have to delete the account through the app first somewhere.

No, it just logs directly into the existing account with no prompting.

With that said, I've solved it, by finding a (well-hidden!) Log Out feature within the app. I've created a new account and it's come up fresh.

Thanks for the help.