The fastest way to remove an app from your Fire tablet
To delete an app on an Amazon 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 remove it but keep the option to reinstall later without downloading again, tap Remove from Library instead — this hides it from your device but keeps it in your Amazon account.
The method works the same on all Fire tablet models. You do not need to go into settings or use a separate menu. The app is gone from your screen within seconds.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then choose Remove from Device to delete it completely.
- Remove from Library hides the app from your tablet but keeps it tied to your Amazon account, so you can reinstall it later without re-downloading.
- Deleting an app does not affect your Amazon account, your other apps, or your tablet's settings.
- If an app does not have a remove option in the menu, it came pre-installed and can only be disabled, not deleted — tap Disable instead.
What happens when you remove an app
Remove from Device deletes the app and all its files from your tablet. The storage space it used becomes available again. If you ever want that app back, you will need to read it fresh from the Amazon Appstore.
Remove from Library is different — it only hides the app from your home screen and your apps list. The app itself stays in your Amazon account. When you search for it in the Appstore later, it will show as "Installed" rather than "Get", and you can restore it to your device without downloading. This is useful if you want to free up space but might want the app again someday.
Deleting pre-installed apps that cannot be removed
Some apps come with your Fire tablet and cannot be deleted — Amazon's own apps like Silk (the web browser), Alexa, and Amazon Music fall into this category. When you press and hold one of these apps, the menu will show Disable instead of Remove from Device.
Tapping Disable hides the app from your home screen and stops it from running in the background. It does not delete the app or free up much storage, but it removes it from sight. If you change your mind, you can re-enable it later by going to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Manage All Applications, finding the app, and tapping Enable.
Freeing up storage space by removing apps
If your Fire tablet is running slowly or you are running out of storage, deleting unused apps is one of the fastest fixes. Press and hold each app you no longer use and tap Remove from Device. Large apps like games or video streaming services can free up several gigabytes.
To see how much space each app is using before you delete it, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Manage Storage. The list shows every app ranked by size. Tap any app to see its full details, including an option to delete it from that screen as well.
Removing multiple apps at once
If you want to delete several apps, you do not have to do them one at a time. Some Fire tablets allow you to select multiple apps by tapping and holding the first one, then tapping additional apps while the menu is still open. Check your tablet's model — this feature is available on most current Fire tablets but not all older versions.
If your tablet does not support multi-select, the fastest route is still to delete them individually. It takes only a few seconds per app.
Restoring an app you deleted by mistake
If you deleted an app and want it back, open the Amazon Appstore and search for the app by name. Tap the app, then tap Get or Install to read it again. Your account remembers that you owned it, so you will not be charged again if it was a paid app.
If you used Remove from Library instead of Remove from Device, the app is even easier to restore — search for it in the Appstore and it will show as Installed with a button to restore it to your home screen without re-downloading.
When to call Amazon support
If an app will not delete, or if you accidentally deleted a pre-installed app and cannot re-enable it through Settings, contact Amazon customer service. They can help troubleshoot the issue or restore system apps if something went wrong. You can reach them through the Amazon website or the Help section on your tablet.
In most cases, a straightforward restart of your tablet fixes deletion problems. Hold down the power button for 10 seconds until the tablet shuts down, wait 30 seconds, then power it back on and try deleting the app again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting an app free up storage space?
Yes. Remove from Device deletes all the app's files and frees up the space it was using. Remove from Library only hides the app and does not free up storage. If you need space, use Remove from Device.
Can I delete Amazon's built-in apps like Alexa or the Silk browser?
No, you cannot delete them, but you can disable them. Press and hold the app and tap Disable. It will disappear from your home screen and stop running in the background. You can re-enable it anytime through Settings.
Will deleting an app affect my Amazon account or other apps?
No. Deleting an app only removes that one app from your tablet. Your account, your other apps, and your tablet's settings are not affected. If the app stored any data, that data is deleted too, so make sure you have saved anything important first.
What is the difference between Remove from Device and Remove from Library?
Remove from Device deletes the app completely and frees up storage. Remove from Library hides it from your tablet but keeps it in your Amazon account, so you can reinstall it later without downloading. Use Remove from Device if you want the space back; use Remove from Library if you might want the app again.
How do I restore an app I deleted?
Open the Amazon Appstore, search for the app by name, and tap Get or Install. If it was a paid app, you will not be charged again. If you used Remove from Library, the app will show as Installed and you can restore it without re-downloading.