iOS 18.4 Glitch: Deleted Apps Resurface and New Ones Appear Uninvited

iOS 18.4 Bug: Unwanted Apps Reappearing or Installing Automatically

Apple's latest update, iOS 18.4, released on March 31, 2025, has introduced an unexpected issue where users are seeing apps they either previously deleted or have never installed appearing on their iPhones. This phenomenon was first reported by MacRumors and has been discussed in various online forums.

Key Points:

• Apps Reappearing: Users are noticing the reappearance of apps they had previously uninstalled.
• New App Installs: Some users are seeing entirely new, random apps being installed on their devices.
• Examples: Apps like Squid Game, Dropbox, and Cooking Mama have been reported as unexpected installs.
• Likely Cause: The issue is suspected to be a backend database problem rather than an iOS bug, though this is yet to be confirmed by Apple.
• User Actions: Users are advised to contact Apple Support to report the issue for proper logging and assessment.

User Experience:

Users have ruled out common reasons such as automatic app installation from other devices or jailbreaking. The problem appears to affect a subset of iOS 18.4 users, with no reports from those using older versions of iOS.

Recommendations:

• Report the Issue: Contact Apple Support to log the problem.
• Monitor for Updates: Keep an eye on official communications from Apple regarding any updates or fixes.