To delete a connected app in Salesforce, you navigate through Setup to the App Manager, locate the specific app, view its details, and then proceed with the deletion.
What is a Connected App?
A Connected App integrates external applications with Salesforce using standard protocols like SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect. It allows users to log in to third-party applications using their Salesforce credentials, access Salesforce data from external apps, or link Salesforce to other services. These apps can range from mobile apps to integration platforms and custom web applications.
Why Delete a Connected App?
You might consider deleting a connected app for several reasons:
- No Longer in Use: The integrated application or service is no longer needed or has been decommissioned.
- Security Concerns: The app poses a security risk, or its access permissions are no longer appropriate.
- Migration/Reconfiguration: You are migrating to a new integration solution or reconfiguring an existing one.
- Streamlining: To reduce clutter and improve the security posture of your Salesforce org by removing unused integrations.
Steps to Delete a Connected App
Follow these steps to safely remove a connected app from your Salesforce organization:
- Navigate to Setup: From any Salesforce page, click the gear icon (⚙️) in the top right corner and select Setup.
- Access App Manager: In the Quick Find box on the left sidebar, enter
Appsand then select App Manager. - Locate the Connected App: Scroll through the list or use the search bar to find the specific connected app you want to delete.
- View Details: Click the dropdown arrow (▼) at the far right of the connected app's row, and then select View.
- Initiate Deletion: On the connected app's detail page, click the Delete button.
- Confirm Deletion: A confirmation dialog will appear. Click Delete again to permanently remove the connected app.
Important Considerations Before Deleting
Deleting a connected app has significant implications. Before proceeding, consider the following:
- Impact on Integrations: Deleting a connected app immediately revokes access for all users and applications that relied on it for authentication and data access. Any active integrations or services connected through this app will cease to function.
- User Access: If the connected app was used for single sign-on (SSO) or identity provisioning, users might lose access to the integrated external service.
- Data Access: Any external application that used this connected app to read or write data to Salesforce will no longer be able to do so.
- Alternatives:
- Blocking an App: Instead of full deletion, you can block a connected app by editing its policies to prevent new users from authorizing it. Existing authorized users can still access it unless their sessions are revoked.
- Revoking User Access: You can revoke individual user access to a connected app without deleting the app itself. This is useful for managing access without disrupting other users or integrations.
| Action | Impact | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Delete Connected App | Permanently removes app, revokes all current/future access. | App no longer needed, major security risk, full decommissioning. |
| Block Connected App | Prevents new users from authorizing the app; existing users retain access. | Temporarily stop new connections, phased deprecation. |
| Revoke User Access | Removes specific user's access to the connected app. | Individual user no longer needs access, security incident for one user. |
Always assess the full scope of an app's usage and its dependencies before initiating a deletion to prevent unintended service disruptions.
