The fastest way to delete an app
To remove an app from your Samsung tablet, press and hold the app icon on your home screen or in the app drawer until a menu appears. Tap Uninstall or the trash icon, then confirm the removal. The app disappears when ready.
This method works for most apps you downloaded yourself. Apps that came pre-installed on your tablet may show Disable instead of Uninstall — disabling removes it from view but keeps it in your tablet's storage.
If you cannot find the app icon, swipe up from the bottom of your home screen to open the app drawer, find the app there, and use the same press-and-hold method.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon, then tap Uninstall to remove it in seconds.
- Pre-installed apps may only offer Disable, which hides them but does not fully remove them from storage.
- You can also remove apps through Settings by going to Apps, selecting the app, and tapping Uninstall.
- Disabling or uninstalling an app does not affect your other data or settings on the tablet.
- If you change your mind, you can reinstall most apps from the Google Play Store at any time.
Removing apps through the Settings menu
If the press-and-hold method does not work or you prefer a different route, you can delete apps through your tablet's Settings. Open Settings, then tap Apps (sometimes labeled Applications or App Management depending on your Samsung model).
Scroll through the list and tap the app you want to remove. A details page opens showing the app name, version, and storage space it uses. Tap Uninstall at the top or bottom of the screen. A confirmation message appears — tap OK or Uninstall again to finish.
This method is useful when you want to see how much storage space each app takes before deciding what to delete. The storage size appears on the app details page, which helps you identify large apps that are slowing down your tablet.
The difference between Uninstall and Disable
When you tap Uninstall, the app and all its files are removed from your tablet completely. You free up storage space, and the app no longer appears anywhere on your device.
Disable is different. It hides the app from your home screen and app drawer so you do not see it, but the app files remain in your tablet's storage. Disabling is useful for pre-installed apps you do not want to use but cannot fully remove — Samsung and other manufacturers lock some apps so they cannot be uninstalled.
If you disable an app and later change your mind, you can re-enable it by going to Settings, tapping Apps, finding the disabled app, and selecting Enable. With uninstalled apps, you would need to read them again from the Google Play Store.
Removing multiple apps at once
If you want to delete several apps quickly, most Samsung tablets let you select multiple apps at once. Open your app drawer, then press and hold one app until selection mode activates — you will see checkboxes appear next to each app icon.
Tap the checkbox next to each app you want to remove. Once you have selected all of them, look for a trash icon, delete button, or Uninstall option at the top of the screen. Tap it, then confirm the removal.
Not all Samsung models support batch deletion in the app drawer. If you do not see checkboxes appear, use the Settings method instead — go to Settings, Apps, and uninstall apps one at a time.
What happens to your data when you remove an app
Uninstalling an app removes the app itself and any files it stored on your tablet. If the app saved photos, documents, or other data only within that app, that data is deleted too.
However, if you used the app to create files that are also stored elsewhere — such as photos saved to your tablet's main photo gallery or documents saved to Google Drive — those files remain safe. Only the app-specific data is removed.
Before uninstalling an app that holds important information, check whether it backs up your data to the cloud. Many apps offer an option to export or save your data before you remove them. Open the app, look in Settings or Menu for an export or backup option, and follow the prompts.
Reinstalling an app you removed
If you delete an app and later want it back, open the Google Play Store on your tablet. Tap the search icon at the top, type the app name, and tap the result when it appears. Tap Install, and the app downloads and installs automatically.
You do not need to pay again for apps you previously purchased — the Play Store remembers your purchase history. Free apps can be reinstalled as many times as you want.
Reinstalling takes a few minutes depending on the app size and your internet speed. Once installation finishes, the app icon appears on your home screen and in your app drawer, ready to use.
Troubleshooting when an app will not uninstall
Some apps refuse to uninstall because they are set as a device administrator or because they are pre-installed system apps. If you see a message saying the app cannot be uninstalled, try disabling it instead — this removes it from view even if you cannot fully delete it.
If the app is a device administrator, go to Settings, then Security or Biometrics and Security. Look for Device Admin Apps or Apps with Special Access, find the app in the list, and tap it. Select Deactivate or Remove Admin. Once you remove its admin status, you can uninstall it normally.
Pre-installed apps that came with your Samsung tablet usually cannot be fully uninstalled no matter what you do — this is by design. Disabling them is the best option. They take up minimal storage when disabled, and you can re-enable them anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing an app free up storage space on my tablet?
Yes, uninstalling an app removes all its files and frees up the storage space it was using. Disabling an app does not free up space — the files remain on your tablet. If you need storage room, uninstall apps rather than disable them.
Can I remove apps that came pre-installed on my Samsung tablet?
Most pre-installed apps can only be disabled, not uninstalled. Disabling hides them from your home screen and app drawer. A few system apps cannot be disabled either — these are core to how your tablet works and must stay on the device.
What if I accidentally uninstall an app I need?
You can reinstall it anytime from the Google Play Store. Search for the app by name, tap Install, and it downloads to your tablet. If you paid for the app, you do not pay again — your purchase is saved to your Google account.
Does uninstalling an app delete my photos or documents?
Only files stored inside that app are deleted. Photos and documents saved to your tablet's main storage, cloud services like Google Drive, or other apps remain safe. Before uninstalling an app with important data, check if it has an export or backup option in its settings.
Why does my tablet show "Disable" instead of "Uninstall" for some apps?
Those are pre-installed apps that Samsung locked to your tablet. You can disable them to hide them, but you cannot fully remove them. Disabling is the closest option and removes them from view without affecting your tablet's performance.