iOS 18.4 Reportedly Reinstalling Deleted Apps & Adding New Ones

Users are reporting a bizarre issue with iOS 18.4, claiming that the update is reinstalling deleted apps or even installing apps they never downloaded. Since its release on March 31, 2025, alongside Apple Intelligence for the EU and security updates, iPhones have mysteriously begun installing random apps, primarily games like Squid Game and Cooking Mama.

Some affected users have ruled out automatic app installations, jailbreaking, or third-party app stores, suggesting this may be a backend App Store bug rather than an iOS issue. So far, no similar cases have been reported on older iOS versions, and Apple has yet to comment.

If you encounter this problem, contact Apple Support directly, as they reportedly do not monitor social media reports. Until then, users remain unsure of how widespread the issue is—or why it’s happening in the first place.