The fastest way to remove an app

To delete an app from your Android tablet, press and hold the app icon on your home screen or in your app drawer until a menu appears. Tap Uninstall or Remove — the exact wording depends on your tablet's Android version and manufacturer. The app will disappear within seconds.

If you do not see an uninstall option when you hold down the icon, your tablet may require you to use the Settings menu instead. This happens most often with pre-installed apps that came with your tablet, which some manufacturers lock against removal from the home screen.

Deleting an app this way removes it completely from your tablet. Your data inside that app — saved games, photos, messages — is also deleted unless you backed it up separately. If you think you might want the app back later, you can reinstall it from the Google Play Store at no cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold any app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap Uninstall to remove it when ready.
  • Some pre-installed apps cannot be uninstalled from the home screen and must be disabled through Settings instead.
  • Deleting an app removes all data stored inside it, so back up anything you want to keep before you uninstall.
  • You can reinstall any app you delete by searching for it in the Google Play Store and tapping Install again.
  • Disabling an app (rather than uninstalling it) hides it but frees up less storage space than a full deletion.

Deleting apps through the Settings menu

If the press-and-hold method does not work, or if you want to see a list of all your apps at once, use the Settings menu. Open Settings, then tap Apps or process Manager — the exact name varies by tablet brand. You will see a list of every app installed on your device.

Scroll through the list and tap the app you want to remove. A detail page will open showing how much storage space the app uses and when it was last opened. Tap the Uninstall button at the top or bottom of the screen. Your tablet will ask you to confirm; tap OK or Uninstall again, and the app is gone.

This method works for nearly all apps, including ones that will not uninstall from the home screen. The Settings route also shows you how much storage each app takes up, which is useful if you are trying to free up space on a full tablet.

Disabling apps you cannot uninstall

Some tablets come with pre-installed apps from the manufacturer or your internet provider that cannot be uninstalled, even through Settings. These are usually system apps or bloatware. Instead of uninstalling them, you can disable them, which hides the app and stops it from running in the background.

To disable an app, go to Settings > Apps, find the app, and tap it. Look for a Disable button instead of Uninstall. Tap it and confirm. The app will no longer appear in your app drawer or home screen, and it will not use battery or data in the background.

Disabling does not free up as much storage space as uninstalling does, because the app files remain on your tablet. However, it stops the app from interfering with your device. You can re-enable a disabled app at any time by going back to Settings, finding it in the list, and tapping Enable.

Clearing app data and cache before deletion

Before you delete an app, you may want to save any data it contains. Some apps let you export or back up your information — for example, a notes app might let you email your notes to yourself, or a game might save your progress to a cloud account.

Check the app's settings menu first to see if there is a backup or export option. If there is, use it before you uninstall. If the app has no built-in backup, and you do not need the data, you can delete it safely.

You can also clear an app's cache and temporary files without uninstalling it. Go to Settings > Apps, tap the app, and look for Storage or Clear Cache. This frees up space without losing your saved data inside the app. It is useful if an app is running slowly or taking up too much storage.

Freeing up storage space by removing large apps

If your tablet is running low on storage, deleting large apps is one of the fastest ways to free up space. To see which apps take up the most room, go to Settings > Storage or Device Care (depending on your tablet brand). Tap Apps or App Storage, and your tablet will show a list sorted by size, with the largest apps at the top.

Games and video apps often use the most space. If you have not opened an app in months, it is usually safe to delete. You can always reinstall it later from the Google Play Store if you change your mind.

After you delete an app, your tablet may take a few seconds to update the storage count. If the freed-up space does not show when ready, restart your tablet. This forces the system to recalculate how much storage is available.

Reinstalling an app you deleted

If you delete an app and later decide you want it back, you can reinstall it for free. Open the Google Play Store app on your tablet, tap the search icon at the top, and type the app's name. When you find it, tap Install. The app will read and install automatically.

If you paid for the app originally, you will not be charged again. Google remembers your purchase, and paid apps will show an Install button instead of a price. Your tablet will read the latest version of the app, though your old saved data inside it will not return — that was deleted when you uninstalled.

If you cannot find the app in the Play Store, it may have been removed by the developer or it may not be available in your region. In that case, you will need to find an alternative app that does the same thing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting an app free up storage space?

Yes. Uninstalling an app removes all its files from your tablet, which frees up storage when ready. Disabling an app hides it but uses almost as much space, so uninstall if you need storage room. Clearing cache alone frees up only temporary files, not the app itself.

Can I delete apps that came with my tablet?

Most pre-installed apps can be uninstalled through Settings. Some system apps cannot be uninstalled but can be disabled instead, which hides them and stops them from running. Disabling is usually enough to prevent them from bothering you.

What happens to my data when I delete an app?

All data stored inside the app — saved games, photos, notes, login information — is deleted along with the app. Before you uninstall, check if the app has a backup or export feature. If it does, use it to save your data first.

Can I undo a deletion?

You cannot undo a deletion directly, but you can reinstall the app from the Google Play Store at no cost. The app will be fresh with no saved data, so you will need to set it up again from scratch.

Why can't I uninstall some apps?

System apps and some pre-installed apps are locked by your tablet's manufacturer or carrier to prevent accidental removal. You can disable these apps instead, which hides them and stops them from running. Disabling is permanent until you re-enable them.