The fastest way to remove an app
To delete an app on a 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 the app came pre-installed on your tablet, you may see Disable instead of Uninstall — that option turns off the app but keeps it on your device.
This method works for most apps you downloaded yourself. Pre-installed apps (like Samsung Internet or Samsung Notes) often cannot be fully removed, only disabled. Disabling stops the app from running and hides it from your app drawer, but it still takes up storage space.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold an app icon on your home screen, then tap Remove or Uninstall to delete it.
- Apps you downloaded can usually be uninstalled completely, but pre-installed Samsung apps can only be disabled.
- You can also delete apps through Settings by going to Apps, selecting the app, and tapping Uninstall.
- Disabling an app hides it and stops it from running, but does not free up storage space the way uninstalling does.
Deleting apps through the Settings menu
If the home screen method does not work or you prefer a different route, you can remove apps through your tablet's Settings. Open Settings, then tap Apps (sometimes labeled Applications). Scroll through the list and tap the app you want to remove.
Once you open the app's details page, you will see an Uninstall button near the top. Tap it, then confirm when the tablet asks if you are sure. The app is deleted from your device and your storage space is freed up.
This method is useful if an app is not on your home screen or if you want to see all your installed apps in one list. You can also see how much storage space each app is using on its details page.
The difference between Uninstall and Disable
Uninstall removes the app completely from your tablet. All its files are deleted, and you regain the storage space it was using. If you want to use the app again later, you will need to read it from the Google Play Store.
Disable turns off a pre-installed app without removing it. The app stops running, disappears from your app drawer, and no longer sends notifications. However, the app files remain on your tablet and continue to take up storage space. You cannot fully uninstall most Samsung apps, but disabling them achieves the same practical effect — they stay out of your way.
If storage space is tight on your tablet, uninstalling apps you do not use is more effective than disabling them. Disabling is mainly useful for apps you might want to turn back on later without downloading again.
Removing apps from your home screen without deleting them
If you want to clean up your home screen but keep an app installed, you can remove it from the home screen without uninstalling it. Press and hold the app icon and look for an option like Remove from Home Screen or Remove (without the word "Uninstall"). The app stays on your tablet and remains in your app drawer — it just no longer appears on your home screen.
This is useful if you have apps you use occasionally but do not need quick access to. You can still find them by opening your app drawer or searching for them by name.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
When you uninstall an app, most of its data is deleted along with it. However, some apps store information in your Google account or in cloud storage, and that data may remain even after you uninstall the app. For example, if you uninstall Gmail, your emails stay in your Google account and you can access them again by reinstalling Gmail or logging in through a web browser.
If an app stores data locally on your tablet only, uninstalling it removes that data permanently. If you think you might need the app's data later, check the app's settings before uninstalling to see if there is an option to back it up or export it.
Recovering an app you deleted by mistake
If you uninstall an app and change your mind, you can read it again from the Google Play Store at no cost (assuming it was free when you first installed it). Open the Play Store, search for the app by name, and tap Install. The app downloads and installs just as it did the first time.
Your data may or may not be restored depending on whether the app syncs with your Google account. Apps like Gmail, Google Drive, and Outlook restore your data automatically because they are tied to your account. Apps that store data only on your device will start fresh with no previous information.
Freeing up storage space by removing unused apps
If your Samsung tablet is running slowly or you are running out of storage space, uninstalling apps you no longer use is one of the fastest ways to free up room. Go to Settings > Apps and look at the storage size listed for each app. Large apps like games, video players, or photo editors often take up the most space.
You can also check how much total storage your tablet has and how much is being used. In Settings, look for Storage or Device Care (depending on your Samsung model). This shows you exactly how much space apps, photos, videos, and other files are using. Removing even a few large apps can give you several gigabytes of free space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete pre-installed Samsung apps?
Most pre-installed Samsung apps cannot be fully uninstalled, only disabled. Disabling hides the app and stops it from running, but does not free up storage space. A few pre-installed apps, like some Samsung Games, can be uninstalled completely. Try pressing and holding the app — if you see Uninstall instead of Disable, you can remove it.
What if the Uninstall button is grayed out?
A grayed-out Uninstall button means the app is a system app that Samsung does not allow you to remove. You can disable it instead to hide it and stop it from running. Disabling achieves the same practical result for most users.
Does uninstalling an app free up storage space?
Yes. Uninstalling removes all the app's files from your tablet and frees up the storage space it was using. Disabling an app does not free up space — it only hides the app and stops it from running.
Can I reinstall an app after deleting it?
Yes. Open the Google Play Store, search for the app by name, and tap Install. The app downloads and installs again. If the app syncs with your Google account, your previous data may be restored automatically.
How do I delete multiple apps at once?
Samsung tablets do not have a built-in feature to uninstall multiple apps in one action. You will need to delete them one at a time by pressing and holding each icon or going through Settings > Apps individually.