The fastest way to remove an app from your Fire Tablet
To delete an app on a Fire Tablet, press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap Remove from Device. The app disappears when ready. If you want to reinstall it later, you can read it again from the Amazon Appstore at no cost — Amazon keeps a record of what you've installed before.
This method works on all Fire Tablet models. The app is gone from your device, but Amazon remembers you own it, so you won't be charged again if you change your mind.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon on your home screen until a menu pops up, then select Remove from Device.
- Deleting an app frees up storage space on your tablet but does not erase your account or settings tied to that app.
- You can reinstall any app you've deleted before by opening the Amazon Appstore and searching for it — you won't pay twice.
- If an app won't delete using the home screen method, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Manage All Applications and tap the app name, then select Uninstall.
Deleting apps from your home screen
The home screen method is the quickest for most apps. Find the app you want to remove, place your finger on its icon, and hold it there for about two seconds. A small menu will appear with options including Remove from Device. Tap that option once.
The app vanishes from your home screen and your tablet's storage. If the app was pinned to your home screen but also installed on your device, removing it from the home screen alone won't delete the app — you'll still see it in your app library. Use the Remove from Device option to delete it completely.
Using the Settings menu to uninstall apps
If an app won't delete from the home screen, or if you want to see all your installed apps at once, use the Settings menu. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification panel, then tap Settings (the gear icon). Scroll down and select Apps & Notifications.
Tap Manage All Applications. You'll see a list of every app on your tablet. Find the one you want to remove, tap its name, and select Uninstall. Confirm when prompted. This method also works for apps that came pre-installed on your tablet, though some system apps cannot be uninstalled — the Uninstall button will be grayed out if removal isn't allowed.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
Deleting an app removes the app itself and any files it stored directly on your tablet. However, if that app synced data to your Amazon account or to another cloud service, that information usually stays in the cloud. For example, if you delete the Kindle app, your library and reading progress remain in your Amazon account.
Some apps store login information or preferences on your device. When you reinstall the app, you may need to log in again, but your account data on the app's servers will still be there. If you're concerned about privacy, check the app's settings before deleting it to see what data it stores.
Freeing up storage space by removing apps
Fire Tablets come with a fixed amount of storage — typically 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB depending on the model. Deleting apps is one of the fastest ways to free up space if your tablet is running slowly or showing a storage-full warning. Large apps like games or video players can take up several gigabytes.
To see how much space each app uses, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Manage All Applications. Tap an app name and look for the Storage section, which shows how much space it occupies. Delete the largest apps you no longer use. You can also clear an app's cached data (temporary files it creates while running) by tapping Clear Cache on the same screen — this frees space without removing the app itself.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
Once you delete an app, you can get it back anytime by opening the Amazon Appstore (the shopping bag icon on your home screen) and searching for the app by name. Tap it and select Get or Install. The app downloads and installs automatically — you won't be charged again because Amazon tracks your purchase history.
This applies to both free and paid apps. If you bought an app and later deleted it, reinstalling it is free. Your Amazon account remembers every app you've ever installed, so you can browse your library of past apps by opening the Appstore, tapping the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and selecting My Apps & Games.
Troubleshooting apps that won't delete
Some apps resist deletion. If pressing and holding the icon doesn't show a Remove from Device option, the app may be a system app that Amazon doesn't allow users to uninstall. Try the Settings method instead: go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Manage All Applications, find the app, and tap Uninstall. If that button is grayed out, the app cannot be removed.
If an app appears to delete but then reappears, restart your tablet. Power it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. If the app still won't go away after a restart, the app may be linked to your Amazon account or a parental control profile. Check Settings > Parental Controls to see if the app is locked by a profile, or contact Amazon support if the problem persists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting an app delete my account or saved games?
No. Deleting the app removes only the app and its local files. Your account with the app's service (like a game account or email) stays active on their servers. When you reinstall the app, you can log back in and your progress will be there. Some apps store data locally that won't sync back, so check the app's settings before deleting if you're worried about losing progress.
Can I delete apps that came pre-installed on my Fire Tablet?
Most pre-installed apps can be deleted, but some system apps cannot. Try the home screen method first. If the Remove from Device option doesn't appear, or if you use the Settings method and the Uninstall button is grayed out, Amazon doesn't allow that app to be removed. These are usually core apps like Settings or the Amazon Appstore itself.
Will deleting an app speed up my tablet?
Deleting unused apps frees storage space, which can help if your tablet is nearly full and running slowly. However, removing an app you're not actively using won't make much difference to speed unless your storage is critically low. If your tablet is sluggish, restart it first — that often helps more than deleting apps.
What's the difference between removing an app from my home screen and deleting it?
Removing an app from your home screen hides it but leaves it installed on your device and taking up storage. Deleting the app (using Remove from Device) removes it completely. Both options are available when you press and hold an app icon — make sure you tap Remove from Device if you want it fully gone.
Can I delete an app if it's currently running?
Yes. You don't need to close an app before deleting it. The deletion process will force-close the app and remove it. However, it's good practice to close apps you're done using anyway, as it frees up memory and battery life.