How to Delete Game Center on Your iPhone

Apple's Game Center—which came installed as part of iOS through version 9 for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch—lets you post your scores to leaderboards or challenge other players head-to-head in network games.

iOS 10 and Later

Prior to the release of iOS 10, the only option you had with Game Center was to hide it in a folder. That changed with iOS 10 when Apple ended Game Center as a standalone app, so it is no longer present as an app icon on devices running iOS 10 and later. Game Center's features are now integrated into the phone as functions that apps can use if a game developer chooses.

iOS 9 and Earlier

Game Center on devices running iOS 9 and earlier can't be deleted in the usual way apps are deleted on iOS devices. To delete most apps, tap and hold the app tile until the apps begin shaking. Then tap the X icon on the app you want to delete. For Game Center and other pre-installed Apple apps such as iTunes Store, App Store, Calculator, Clock, and Stocks apps, the X icon doesn't appear. You can hide the Game Center app, however.

Jailbreak to Delete Game Center

You can delete Game Center if you jailbreak the device, though this practice comes with all the consequent caveats, issues, and considerations associated with jailbreaking Apple devices. If you're an advanced user willing to take some risks, jailbreaking a device can do the trick.

Apple secures iOS by blocking changes to certain fundamental parts of the operating system. This includes deleting pre-installed apps. Jailbreaking removes these blocks and controls, granting you access to the entire iOS, including the ability to delete apps and browse the iPhone file system.

Hide Game Center on iOS 9 and Earlier

The next best thing to deleting Game Center (if you do not want to update the iOS version) is to hide it. This doesn't remove it from the device, but it does put it out of sight. The simplest way to do this is to stash it away in a folder.

Create a folder for unwanted apps and put Game Center in this folder. Then move that folder to the last screen on the device where you won't see it unless you want to.

How to Sign Out of Game Center

If you hide the Game Center app, sign out of the app so none of its features are active while it's not being used. Follow these steps to sign out of the Game Center app on iOS 9 or earlier.

1. Tap Game Center.

2. Tap Account.

3. Tap Sign Out.

Disable Game Center Notifications

After you hide Game Center, disable notifications from it using the Restrictions feature built into iOS 9 and older versions. This is often used by parents to monitor their kids' phones or IT departments that want to control company-issued phones, but you can use it to block Game Center notifications by following these steps:

1. Tap Settings.

2. Tap General.

3. Tap Restrictions.

4. Tap Enable Restrictions.

5. Set a 4-digit passcode. Enter it a second time to confirm.

6. Swipe down to the Game Center section and turn off the Multiplayer Games toggle switch to block invitations to multiplayer games.

7. Turn off the Adding Friends toggle switch to prevent anyone from adding you to their Game Center friends network.

If you change your mind and decide you want these notifications back, turn on the Multiplayer Games and Adding Friends toggle switches. To turn off Restrictions entirely, go to Settings > General > Restrictions and tap Disable Restrictions.