The Two Ways to Delete Apps from Your Fire Tablet
You can remove apps from your Amazon Fire tablet in two ways: uninstall them completely so they take up no storage space, or hide them so they no longer appear on your home screen but remain in your Amazon account. Most people uninstall apps they no longer use. Hiding is useful if you want to keep an app tied to your account but don't want it cluttering your tablet.
Both methods take less than a minute. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using a Fire 7, Fire HD 8, Fire HD 10, or Fire Max 11, but the process is nearly identical across all models. You don't need a computer or any special tools—everything happens on the tablet itself.
Key Takeaways
- Long-press any app icon on your home screen or in the apps library, then tap "Remove from Device" to uninstall it completely.
- Uninstalling frees up storage space; hiding keeps the app in your Amazon account but removes it from view.
- You can also manage apps through the Amazon Appstore by opening it, finding the app, and tapping "Uninstall".
- Uninstalling an app does not delete your saved data or progress if you reinstall it later—Amazon stores that in your account.
- Some pre-installed Amazon apps cannot be uninstalled, only hidden or disabled.
Uninstalling Apps from Your Home Screen
The fastest way to remove an app is directly from your home screen. Find the app icon you want to delete, then press and hold it with your finger for two to three seconds until a menu appears. Do not tap and release—you need to keep your finger on the icon until the menu shows up.
Once the menu appears, you'll see several options. Tap "Remove from Device" to uninstall the app completely. A confirmation message will appear asking if you're sure. Tap "Remove" again to confirm. The app will disappear from your home screen when ready, and the storage space it used will be freed up within a few seconds.
If you see only "Remove from Home Screen" instead of "Remove from Device," that means the app is pinned to your home screen but still installed. Tapping that option removes it from the home screen view but leaves it installed on your tablet. You can find it later in your apps library if you change your mind.
Uninstalling Apps from the Apps Library
If an app is not on your home screen, or if you prefer to manage all your apps in one place, use the apps library. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the quick settings menu, then tap "Apps." This shows you every app installed on your tablet, organized by category or in a single list depending on your tablet model.
Find the app you want to remove, then long-press it. The same menu will appear. Tap "Remove from Device" to uninstall it. You can remove multiple apps this way without returning to your home screen each time.
Uninstalling Apps Through the Amazon Appstore
Another route is through the Amazon Appstore itself. Open the Appstore app on your tablet, then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner. Select "My Apps and Subscriptions" or "My Apps," depending on your tablet model.
You'll see a list of every app you've ever installed on any Amazon device tied to your account. Find the app you want to remove and tap it. On the app's detail page, tap "Uninstall." Confirm the action when prompted. This method is useful if you want to see all your apps at once or if an app is not showing up in your home screen or apps library for some reason.
Hiding Apps Instead of Uninstalling Them
If you want to keep an app in your Amazon account but remove it from view on your tablet, hide it instead of uninstalling. Long-press the app icon on your home screen, then look for an option called "Hide" or "Hide from Home Screen." Tap it. The app will disappear from your home screen and apps library, but it remains installed and tied to your account.
To unhide an app later, open the Amazon Appstore, go to "My Apps and Subscriptions," find the hidden app, and tap "Show" or "Unhide." It will reappear in your apps library. This is helpful for apps you use occasionally but don't want cluttering your tablet day-to-day.
What Happens to Your Data When You Uninstall
When you uninstall an app, the app itself and any temporary files it created are deleted from your tablet. However, Amazon stores your account data—login information, saved progress, preferences—in the cloud. If you reinstall the same app later, that data will be restored automatically when you log back in.
Some apps store data locally on your tablet that won't be recovered if you uninstall. Games are the most common example: your game progress might be lost if the game doesn't sync to a cloud account. Before uninstalling an app you care about, check whether it has a cloud save or backup feature. Most modern apps do, but older or smaller apps may not.
Apps You Cannot Uninstall
Amazon Fire tablets come with several pre-installed apps that cannot be uninstalled, including Amazon Appstore, Amazon Music, Amazon Photos, and Alexa. If you long-press one of these apps, you'll see "Remove from Home Screen" or "Disable" instead of "Remove from Device."
Tapping "Disable" turns off the app so it no longer runs in the background and doesn't appear in your apps library, but it remains installed on your tablet. You can re-enable it later by going to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Manage All Applications, finding the app, and tapping "Enable." Disabling frees up some resources but not storage space, since the app files remain on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I uninstall multiple apps at once?
No, you must uninstall apps one at a time. Long-press each app individually and confirm the removal. There is no batch delete feature on Fire tablets, though the process is quick enough that removing several apps takes only a minute or two.
Will uninstalling an app delete my login information?
No. Amazon stores your account credentials and app data in the cloud. When you reinstall the app, you'll be logged back in automatically. If the app asks you to log in again, you may need to enter your password, but your saved data will still be there.
What's the difference between "Remove from Home Screen" and "Remove from Device"?
"Remove from Home Screen" unpins the app from your home screen but leaves it installed. "Remove from Device" uninstalls it completely and frees up storage space. If you see only one option, the app is either pinned to your home screen or it's a pre-installed app that cannot be fully uninstalled.
Can I recover an app I accidentally uninstalled?
Yes. Open the Amazon Appstore, search for the app by name, and tap "Install" to read it again. Your account data will be restored automatically. You can also find it in your purchase history or in "My Apps and Subscriptions" if you don't remember the exact name.
Does uninstalling apps make my tablet faster?
Uninstalling apps frees up storage space and removes background processes, which can help if your tablet is running low on storage or memory. However, if you have plenty of free space, uninstalling apps won't noticeably speed up your tablet. Restarting your tablet is often more effective for improving performance.