The fastest way to remove an app from your Samsung tablet
To delete an app on a Samsung tablet, press and hold the app icon on your home screen or in the app drawer until a menu appears, then tap Uninstall or the trash icon. The app will be removed from your device within seconds. If you cannot find the uninstall option, the app may be a system app that came pre-installed — those cannot be deleted, though you can often disable them instead.
The method works the same whether you are using a Samsung Galaxy Tab S, Tab A, or any other Samsung tablet model running Android. The steps take less than a minute and free up storage space on your device.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon until a menu appears, then select Uninstall to remove it permanently.
- Pre-installed system apps cannot be deleted but can be disabled through Settings to hide them from your home screen.
- You can also delete apps through the Google Play Store by opening the app listing and tapping Uninstall.
- Deleting an app removes it from your tablet but does not delete your account or data associated with that service.
Deleting apps from your home screen
The home screen method is the quickest for apps you use regularly. Find the app icon on your home screen, then press and hold it with your finger until the icon enlarges and a menu appears below it. You will see options like Uninstall, App info, or a trash can icon depending on your tablet model and Android version.
Tap Uninstall and confirm when the system asks if you are sure. The app will disappear from your home screen and your tablet within a few seconds. Your tablet will return to your home screen once the deletion is complete.
Removing apps from the app drawer
If an app is not on your home screen, you can find it in the app drawer — the folder that holds all your installed apps. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen (or tap the app drawer icon, usually at the bottom center) to open the complete list of apps.
Find the app you want to remove, press and hold it, and select Uninstall from the menu that appears. The process is identical to deleting from the home screen. If you do not see an Uninstall option, the app is a system app and cannot be removed this way — see the section below on disabling system apps instead.
Deleting apps through the Google Play Store
You can also remove apps using the Google Play Store app. Open the Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, and select Manage my apps and device. Go to the Manage tab to see all your installed apps.
Find the app you want to delete, tap it, and select Uninstall. Confirm your choice, and the app will be removed from your tablet. This method is useful if you want to see all your apps in one place or if you are having trouble finding an app on your home screen.
What to do if you cannot uninstall an app
Some apps that came pre-installed on your Samsung tablet — like Samsung Internet, Samsung Health, or Google Maps — cannot be deleted because they are system apps. When you press and hold these apps, you will see Disable or App info instead of Uninstall.
To hide a system app from your home screen and app drawer, tap Disable or go to App info and select Disable app. The app will no longer appear in your app drawer, though it will still take up storage space on your tablet. If you change your mind later, you can re-enable it through Settings > Apps by toggling the app back on.
Freeing up storage space after deletion
Deleting an app removes the app itself and any data it stored on your tablet, which can free up several gigabytes of space depending on the app. Games and media apps often use the most storage. After you delete an app, your tablet's available storage will increase when ready.
If you need to check how much space an app is using before you delete it, go to Settings > Apps, tap the app name, and look at the storage information. This helps you identify which apps are taking up the most room on your device.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
Deleting an app from your tablet removes the app itself and any data it stored locally on your device, but it does not affect your account or data stored in the cloud. For example, deleting Gmail removes the app but not your email account or messages — those remain on Google's servers.
If you reinstall the app later, you can sign back in with the same account and your data will be there. The only exception is data the app saved only on your tablet and nowhere else — that will be gone permanently once you delete the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete apps that came with my Samsung tablet?
Most pre-installed apps cannot be deleted, but you can disable them to hide them from your home screen and app drawer. Go to Settings, find the app, and tap Disable. If an app shows an Uninstall button, you can remove it.
Will deleting an app remove my account or passwords?
No. Deleting an app removes only the app itself and data stored on your tablet. Your account and any information stored in the cloud remain intact. When you reinstall the app, you can sign back in with the same account.
How much storage space will I free up by deleting apps?
It depends on the app. Large games and media apps can use several gigabytes, while smaller utility apps may use only tens of megabytes. Check Settings > Apps to see how much space each app uses before you delete it.
What if I accidentally delete an app I need?
You can reinstall any app you deleted by opening the Google Play Store, searching for the app by name, and tapping Install. Your account information and cloud data will still be there when you sign back in.
Can I delete multiple apps at once?
No, Samsung tablets require you to delete apps one at a time. Press and hold each app individually and select Uninstall. There is no bulk delete feature in the standard Android interface.