The quickest way to remove an app from your Samsung tablet

To delete an app from your Samsung tablet, press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap Remove or Uninstall. The app disappears when ready. If you want to keep the app but just hide it from your home screen, choose Remove from Home Screen instead — the app stays installed but won't clutter your display.

This method works on all Samsung tablets running Android 9 and newer. The exact wording of the menu option depends on your tablet's software version, but the process is the same: long-press, then select the removal option that appears.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold any app icon on your home screen until a menu pops up, then tap the remove or uninstall option.
  • Removing an app from your home screen is different from uninstalling it — one hides it, the other deletes it completely.
  • You can also delete apps through the Settings menu under Apps or process Manager if the long-press method doesn't work.
  • Some pre-installed Samsung apps cannot be uninstalled, but you can disable them to prevent them from running in the background.
  • Uninstalling an app frees up storage space on your tablet, but you can reinstall it later from the Google Play Store.

Deleting apps using the long-press method on your home screen

The fastest way to remove an app is directly from your home screen. Find the app icon you want to delete, then press and hold it with your finger for about two seconds. A small menu will appear above or below the icon with several options.

Look for the option labeled Remove, Uninstall, or sometimes Delete. Tap it once. A confirmation message may appear asking if you're sure — tap OK or Yes to confirm. The app is now completely removed from your tablet and no longer takes up storage space.

If you see Remove from Home Screen instead of Uninstall, that option only hides the app from your home screen but leaves it installed on your tablet. Choose that only if you want to keep the app but don't want to see it every day.

Uninstalling apps through the Settings menu

If the long-press method doesn't work or you prefer a different route, you can delete apps through your tablet's Settings. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap Apps or process Manager (the exact name varies by Samsung model and Android version).

You'll see a list of all installed apps. Scroll to find the one you want to remove and tap it. A new screen opens showing details about that app. Look for a button labeled Uninstall near the top of the screen and tap it. Confirm your choice when prompted, and the app is deleted.

This method is useful if an app icon isn't on your home screen or if you want to see all your installed apps at once before deciding what to remove. It also shows you how much storage space each app uses, which helps if you're trying to free up room on your tablet.

What happens when you uninstall an app

When you uninstall an app, your tablet removes all the app's files and data. The storage space it was using becomes available again. If the app had saved any personal information — like login details, game progress, or settings — that data is deleted too, unless the app backed it up to a cloud service like Google Drive.

You can reinstall the app later from the Google Play Store at any time, and it will be the same as a fresh read. If you want to keep your data but just hide the app, use Remove from Home Screen instead of uninstalling, so the app stays on your tablet but doesn't show on your home screen.

Dealing with apps that won't uninstall

Some apps that came pre-installed on your Samsung tablet — like Samsung's own apps or Google apps — cannot be uninstalled. Instead of an Uninstall button, you'll see a Disable button. Tap that to turn off the app so it stops running in the background and won't appear in your app list.

Disabling an app doesn't free up much storage space because the app files remain on your tablet, but it does prevent the app from using battery power and memory. If you change your mind later, you can re-enable the app by going back to Settings, finding it in the list, and tapping Enable.

Freeing up storage space by removing unused apps

If your Samsung tablet is running slowly or you're getting storage warnings, deleting unused apps is one of the fastest ways to free up room. Go to Settings, tap Storage or Device Care, and look for a section showing which apps use the most space. Start by removing the largest apps you no longer use.

Photos, videos, and downloaded files take up far more space than apps, so if you're seriously low on storage, check your Downloads folder and your photo library first. But removing apps you haven't opened in months is a quick win that usually helps without losing anything important.

Removing multiple apps at once

If you want to delete several apps quickly, some Samsung tablets let you select multiple apps at once in the Settings menu. Open Settings, go to Apps, then look for an option to Select or a menu button (three dots or lines). Tap it and choose Select Multiple or Edit.

Tap the checkbox next to each app you want to remove, then look for a Delete, Uninstall, or Remove button at the bottom of the screen. Tap it and confirm. This saves time if you're cleaning up your tablet after a fresh start or removing a batch of trial apps you no longer want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an app back after I uninstall it?

Yes. Open the Google Play Store, search for the app by name, and tap Install. It downloads and installs just like a new app. If the app required payment, you won't be charged again — Google remembers your purchase.

What's the difference between removing and disabling an app?

Removing (uninstalling) deletes the app completely and frees up storage space. Disabling turns off a pre-installed app so it stops running but leaves the files on your tablet. You can only disable apps that came with your tablet, not ones you downloaded.

Why can't I uninstall some Samsung apps?

Apps that came pre-installed on your tablet are protected by Samsung and Android. You can disable them to stop them from running, but you cannot uninstall them. This prevents accidental removal of system apps your tablet needs to function.

Does uninstalling an app delete my saved data?

Yes, uninstalling removes the app's files and any data stored on your tablet. If the app backed up your data to the cloud (like game progress to Google Play Games), you can recover it when you reinstall. Check the app's settings before uninstalling if you're unsure.

How much storage space will I free up by deleting apps?

It depends on the app. Large games or video apps can use 500 MB to several gigabytes. Smaller utility apps might use only 10 to 50 MB. Check the app's size in Settings under Apps before uninstalling to see if it's worth removing.