If you’ve ever used the App Store on your iPhone, you’re undoubtedly used to seeing the word “Free” or a price next to apps you come across. This gives you a clear idea of how much the program will cost, which is one of the most important aspects in deciding whether or not to download and install it.
Yet, you may have noticed apps with a cloud icon in place of the fee, and you may be asking why. This means the software has previously been purchased with your Apple ID (even free apps). Even free programs are “bought,” although at no cost.) After you’ve purchased an app with your Apple ID, you own it in perpetuity, whether you choose to delete it later or not.
Over the course of using your Apple ID and downloading apps to your various devices, you may download something and then delete it so quickly that you forget you ever had it.
And, because apps can be purchased with your Apple ID on any device, you may have purchased the software on your iPad, or a spouse or family member who shares your Apple ID may have purchased the app for themselves.
Every software with a cloud icon next to it can be downloaded for free to your device. The cloud symbol shows that you own the app, but it is presently not on the device and is saved in the cloud.
How to Get iPhone Cloud Symbol Away In the App Store
So far based on some research carried out, you can’t remove the cloud symbol next to the app on the App Store. This is because the downloaded apps, your data, and subscriptions have been backed up in your iCloud and the icon is there to make it easy for you to re-download the app if ever need be.
iCloud Symbol Next to Apps on iPhone or iPad
Have you ever seen a cloud symbol appear next to an app name on the screen of your iPhone or iPad? If so, you’re not alone in wondering what that white vector cloud symbol means, and how to get rid of it.
What does it Mean?
On an iPhone or iPad, a cloud symbol next to an app name indicates that the app has been removed from the device. The cloud symbol basically indicates that the app is in iCloud (or the App Store), ready for download and use when and if needed.
If this appears to be random, it is because you previously enabled the setting automatic offloading of unused iOS apps on your iPhone or iPad, and then the device ran out of storage space. When that setting is enabled, when an iOS device’s available storage is low, it will automatically begin to offload apps that have not been used in a while.
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How do I get rid of the cloud icon?
- Simply tap on the app icon that has a cloud next to the app name.
- Tapping to open the app will re-download it from the App Store and re-install it on the iPhone or iPad. The app name will briefly display a “Loading” or “Installing” message as the icon transforms into a loading wheel.
- The cloud symbol will no longer show alongside the app name once the app is done redownloading and reinstalling on the iOS device.
- If this fails, it is most likely because the device does not have an internet connection or does not have enough free storage space.
How do I prevent the cloud symbol by stopping offloading of apps?
If you notice that many apps have the cloud symbol next to their app name and you do not want these apps to be offloaded, you can disable offloading of unused apps in iOS Settings:
- Navigate to ‘iTunes & App Store‘ in iOS Settings.
- Locate “Offload Unused Apps” and turn the switch to OFF.
- Turning off “Offload Unused Apps” prevents apps from offloading themselves.
You can, however, continue to manually offload apps from an iPhone or iPad if desired.
What is App Offloading Anyway?
Offloading apps is basically a method for the iOS device to delete the app(s) while retaining the app’s preferences and data, including any files, settings, or documents associated with that app. This helps to free up space without completely uninstalling apps from iOS.
It’s worth noting that it’s not always the app that’s eating up storage space; sometimes it’s the related Documents and Data of an iOS app that’s taking up a lot of space.
