The original argument, published April 3, 2024, was that forcing Apple to make Photos uninstallable misunderstood how deeply the app is tied to the iPhone. That criticism was partly overtaken by events: Apple made Photos deletable for users in the European Union with iOS 18.2, and the European Commission closed its related user-choice investigation on April 23, 2025.
But the criticism was not entirely wrong. Deleting Photos does not delete your pictures, yet it removes the main interface for browsing, editing, organizing and recovering them. The result is a real choice that can also be confusing and technically incomplete.
What the original controversy was about
The European Commission’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) investigation examined whether Apple complied with Article 6(3), which generally requires designated gatekeepers to let users uninstall software applications unless restricting removal is necessary for the operating system or device to function. The rule also covers default settings and user-choice screens.
In its March 2024 compliance position, Apple allowed many iPhone apps to be deleted but excluded Safari, Settings, the App Store, Phone, Messages, Camera and Photos. Those apps could be removed from the Home Screen without being fully uninstalled. The Commission identified that approach as a potential problem. Its document is available at ec.europa.eu.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Removing an icon is not the same as uninstalling an app. It may leave the app’s storage, integrations and privileged position intact. The dispute was therefore about genuine user control, not merely Home Screen tidiness.
What Apple changed for EU users
On August 22, 2024, Apple announced broader deletion and default-app controls for users in the European Union. The relevant changes arrived with iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2. Apple’s developer documentation is at developer.apple.com/news/?id=zglax7gc and developer.apple.com/support/dma-and-apps-in-the-eu.
| App | EU iPhone status | Important consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Photos | Deletable | The library remains on the device, but Photos’ management interface disappears. |
| Camera | Deletable | Other camera apps can still use the camera hardware, subject to their own features and permissions. |
| Safari | Deletable | An alternative browser must be installed and selected where Apple requires it. |
| Messages | Deletable | Removing it can change how messaging is handled by the apps that remain. |
| App Store | Deletable | The App Store must be restored before normal App Store downloads and updates can resume. |
These controls are region- and version-specific. They are not a general capability for every iPhone worldwide. Apple says Settings and Phone remain non-deletable on iPhone, while Phone can be deleted on iPad under specified conditions. See Apple’s regional overview at support.apple.com/en-us/121575.
Deleting Photos does not delete your photo library
Apple’s current support documentation makes the most important point explicit: deleting the Photos app does not erase the library. The photos and videos remain stored on the iPhone and continue using storage. Other apps that have permission to access the library can still do so. The documentation is at support.apple.com/en-ie/121327.
Rank #2
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1320x2868px at 460ppi, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 4685mAh Battery
- 1TB, 8GB RAM, Apple A18 Pro (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.05 GHz + 4x2.42 GHz), Apple GPU 6-core, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.3
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 12MP, f/2.8 (periscope telephoto) 5x optical zoom + 48MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth), Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9 (wide)
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
What disappears is the normal management layer. Without Photos, you cannot use Apple’s interface to browse the library, edit images, manage albums, view Memories, or inspect the Hidden and Recently Deleted albums. Those missing recovery tools matter if you need to retrieve an accidentally deleted picture or check whether sensitive media is still present.
Some photo-library controls remain in Settings under General > Photo Library, but Settings is not a replacement for Photos. Deleting the app is also not a backup, export or migration operation. A library synchronized with iCloud Photos, a third-party cloud copy and an independent offline backup are separate things.
What to check before deleting Photos
- Do not expect the deletion to free the storage occupied by your library.
- Install and test any alternative photo app before removing Photos.
- Check which photos the alternative app can access and whether permission is limited or complete.
- Confirm that you know how you will recover items normally found in Hidden and Recently Deleted.
- Keep a separate backup if losing access to the phone would be serious.
If you also delete the App Store, restore it first. Apple says other Apple apps cannot be downloaded or updated normally until the App Store is available again.
Why Photos is harder to replace than Safari
Safari has a clear conceptual substitute: another browser can open web pages, store tabs and become the browser selected in the relevant settings. Photo management is a broader system role.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
A serious replacement may need to handle local-library browsing, camera-roll ingestion, screenshots, saved images, AirDrop receipts, editing, metadata, search, categorization, sharing, permissions, storage management, synchronization and recovery. It may also need to cooperate with image pickers and links opened by other apps.
Google Photos and similar services can provide browsing, search, editing, sharing and cloud backup. Their cloud-centered models do not automatically make them the owner of every local iOS workflow. Saying that Photos “cannot be replaced” is too absolute; saying that any third-party app is an equivalent replacement is equally unsupported.
Is Photos really part of iOS?
The implementation separates several layers that are often treated as one thing:
- The Photos application bundle and its user interface.
- The underlying photo-library databases and frameworks.
- System-wide permissions for photo access.
- Image-picker and selection APIs used by other apps.
- Camera capture, media ingestion and iCloud synchronization.
Apple’s implementation proves that the user-facing app can be removed while the library and much of the supporting infrastructure remain. That weakens the claim that Photos is literally inseparable from iOS. It does not show that a third-party app can assume every system-level role, or that the resulting experience is simple.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
Why the DMA wanted this choice
The Commission’s theory is broader than Photos. Preinstalled gatekeeper apps receive distribution that competitors cannot match. Users may interpret preinstallation as necessity, and defaults and system integrations can make switching costly. The DMA’s user-choice objective is intended to reduce those advantages across categories such as browsers, messaging, navigation, password managers and app marketplaces. The Commission explains the app-distribution rationale at digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/app-distribution_en.
The counterargument is that not every bundled app is a competitive bottleneck. Photos is a core part of the iPhone’s local media model, not simply an optional storefront. Removing its interface while leaving the data behind can give users formal control without giving them a practical, full-featured alternative.
Both points can be true. Apple’s privileged position can disadvantage competitors, while a deletion remedy can still be awkward for ordinary users.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happened to the investigation
The European Commission closed its Article 6(3) investigation into Apple’s user-choice obligations on April 23, 2025. The Commission said Apple had changed the browser choice screen, expanded default-app controls and enabled deletion of additional built-in apps, including Photos. Its announcement is at digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu.
Best Value
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion technology. Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back. Action button
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU
- Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 29 hours video playback. USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Face ID
That closure should not be described as an ongoing investigation into whether Photos must become uninstallable. For EU users, Apple has already implemented the change. Separate DMA issues, including alternative app distribution, are a different matter.
The fair verdict on the original headline
The original article was too categorical because it treated uninstallability as if it necessarily meant deleting the photo library or dismantling iOS. Neither happened. The library survives, and Photos can be downloaded again from the App Store.
Its underlying concern remains credible, however. Deleting Photos removes the main management interface while leaving a potentially large, storage-consuming library in place. A third-party app may access that library without replacing Apple’s complete combination of local organization, permissions, editing, ingestion and recovery.
The useful distinction is between uninstallable and replaceable. The DMA delivered the first. Whether it delivers meaningful competition depends on whether another app can safely and intelligibly perform the functions users actually need.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
