The fastest way to remove an app from your Android tablet
To delete an app on an Android tablet, press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap Uninstall or Remove. The app disappears when ready. If you cannot find the app on your home screen, open the Play Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right, select Manage my apps and device, go to the Manage tab, find the app you want to remove, tap it, and select Uninstall.
Both methods work equally well. The home screen method is faster if you can see the app. The Play Store method works even if you have hidden or moved the app, and it shows you every app you have ever installed on that tablet.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon on your home screen, then tap Uninstall to remove it in seconds.
- If the app is not on your home screen, open the Play Store, go to Manage my apps and device, and uninstall from there.
- Uninstalling an app frees up storage space on your tablet and removes it from your home screen.
- You can reinstall any app you delete later by searching for it in the Play Store, at no cost.
Deleting apps from your home screen
The home screen method is the quickest if the app is visible. Find the app icon on any of your home screens, then press and hold it until your tablet vibrates and a menu pops up. The menu usually shows options like Uninstall, Remove from Home, or App info. Tap Uninstall to delete the app completely.
If you see Remove from Home instead of Uninstall, that option only hides the app from your home screen—it does not delete it. To fully remove the app, tap App info instead, then look for an Uninstall button on the next screen.
After you tap Uninstall, your tablet will ask you to confirm. Tap OK or Uninstall again. The app is then gone.
Deleting apps through the Play Store
Open the Play Store app on your tablet. Tap your profile icon—a small circle in the top right corner. A menu drops down. Select Manage my apps and device.
You will see three tabs at the top: Manage, Updates, and Library. Make sure you are on the Manage tab. This shows every app currently installed on your tablet. Scroll down to find the app you want to remove. Tap the app name to open its details page.
On the app details page, tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right, then select Uninstall. Confirm when your tablet asks. The app is deleted.
What happens when you uninstall an app
Uninstalling removes the app completely from your tablet. It frees up storage space, which can help your tablet run faster if you are running low on memory. The app no longer appears on your home screen or in your app drawer.
Your tablet keeps a record that you once installed the app, so the Play Store remembers it. If you change your mind later, you can search for the app in the Play Store and reinstall it at no cost. You will not lose any money or access.
Removing apps you cannot uninstall
Some apps that came with your tablet—called system apps or pre-installed apps—cannot be uninstalled. If you press and hold one and see only Remove from Home or Disable, the app is protected by your tablet's manufacturer.
You can hide these apps by tapping Remove from Home, which takes them off your home screen so you do not see them. Tapping Disable turns off the app so it uses no storage or battery, though it stays on your tablet. Neither option fully deletes the app, but both get it out of your way.
If you want to remove a system app completely, you would need to use your tablet's developer settings or a computer—steps that are technical and risk damaging your tablet. For most people, hiding or disabling the app is enough.
Freeing up storage space by deleting apps
Apps take up storage space on your tablet. Deleting ones you no longer use is one of the fastest ways to free up room. Open the Play Store, go to Manage my apps and device, tap Manage, and look for apps that show a large storage size next to their name. Games and video apps usually take the most space.
If your tablet is running slowly or you are getting low-storage warnings, removing large apps you do not use regularly can help. After you uninstall, your tablet may take a few seconds to update its storage count, but the freed space becomes available right away.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
If you delete an app and later want it back, open the Play Store and search for the app by name. Tap the app in the search results, then tap the read or install button. The app reinstalls to your tablet. You will not be charged, and any data the app stored in your Google account will be restored when you open it again.
Apps you delete do not disappear from the Play Store. Your tablet keeps a record of every app you have ever installed, so you can always find and reinstall them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting an app erase my data or photos?
Uninstalling an app removes only the app itself, not your photos or other files. However, if the app stored personal data—like game progress or saved notes—that data is usually deleted too. Some apps back up their data to your Google account, so reinstalling the app might restore it.
Can I delete multiple apps at once?
The home screen method deletes one app at a time. If you want to remove several apps, the Play Store method is faster: go to Manage my apps and device, tap Manage, and uninstall each app one after another without returning to the home screen.
What is the difference between uninstall and remove from home?
Uninstall deletes the app completely and frees up storage space. Remove from Home only hides the app from your home screen—the app is still installed and uses storage. Use Uninstall if you do not want the app anymore.
Why can't I uninstall some apps?
Apps that came with your tablet are protected by the manufacturer and cannot be uninstalled. You can hide them by tapping Remove from Home or turn them off by tapping Disable, but you cannot fully delete them without technical steps that risk harming your tablet.
Do I lose money if I delete a paid app?
No. Once you have paid for an app, you own the right to use it. Deleting it does not refund your money, but you can reinstall it free whenever you want. If you want a refund, contact Google Play support within 48 hours of purchase.