The fastest way to delete an app from your Samsung tablet
To remove an app from your 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 Remove. The app will delete within seconds. If you do not see an uninstall option, the app is built into your tablet's system and cannot be removed — you can only hide it or turn off notifications.
Some apps come pre-installed by Samsung or your carrier and behave differently than apps you downloaded yourself. System apps often cannot be uninstalled, but you can disable them so they stop running and taking up space in your notifications. The steps differ slightly depending on which method you use, but the result is the same: the app stops appearing on your tablet.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon until a menu appears, then select Uninstall to remove it permanently from your tablet.
- Apps you downloaded yourself can almost always be uninstalled, but pre-installed system apps usually cannot be removed — only disabled.
- Disabling a system app hides it from your home screen and app drawer and stops it from running in the background.
- If you accidentally uninstall an app, you can reinstall it for free from the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store.
Removing apps from your home screen
The home screen is where your most-used apps appear as icons. To delete an app from this view, press and hold the icon until your tablet vibrates and a menu pops up. Look for the word Uninstall, Remove, or a trash can icon, and tap it. A confirmation message will ask if you are sure — tap OK or Yes to finish.
After you uninstall, the icon disappears from your home screen when ready. If you change your mind within a few seconds, some tablets let you tap Undo at the bottom of the screen to bring it back. Otherwise, the app is gone and you will need to reinstall it from the app store if you want it again later.
Removing apps from the app drawer
The app drawer is the folder that holds all your installed apps — usually accessed by swiping up from the bottom of your home screen or tapping an icon labeled Apps. Open the app drawer, then press and hold the app you want to remove. The same menu will appear with an Uninstall option.
Removing an app from the app drawer works exactly the same way as removing it from your home screen. The difference is that the app drawer shows every app on your tablet, so you may find apps there that you forgot you had. If you do not recognize an app, you can search online for its name before deciding whether to keep it.
Disabling system apps you cannot uninstall
Some apps come built into your Samsung tablet by the manufacturer or your mobile carrier. When you press and hold these apps, the Uninstall option is grayed out or missing entirely. Instead, you will see a Disable or Turn Off button. Tap it to hide the app and stop it from running.
Disabling an app removes it from your home screen and app drawer, and it stops using battery power in the background. The app still takes up a small amount of storage space on your tablet, but you will not see it or be bothered by its notifications. If you ever want to use it again, you can re-enable it by going to Settings > Apps, finding the app in the list, and tapping Enable.
Using Settings to remove multiple apps at once
If you want to delete several apps or see a full list of what is installed, open Settings and tap Apps (sometimes labeled process Manager on older tablets). You will see every app on your tablet listed by name. Tap any app to open its details page, where you will find an Uninstall button at the top.
This method is slower if you only want to remove one app, but it is useful if you are cleaning up your tablet and want to see exactly how much space each app uses. The storage size appears next to each app name. Tap the app, then Uninstall, and confirm your choice. You can repeat this for as many apps as you want without returning to the home screen.
What happens to your data when you uninstall an app
When you uninstall an app, all the data it stored on your tablet — such as saved games, login information, or photos you edited in that app — is deleted along with it. If the app syncs data to the cloud (like Gmail or Google Drive), that data stays safe in your online account and will reappear if you reinstall the app later.
Before you uninstall an app that contains important information, check whether it backs up to the cloud. Open the app, look in its settings menu for a Backup or Sync option, and make sure it is turned on. If you are unsure, take a screenshot of anything you want to keep, or export the data if the app offers that option.
Reinstalling an app you removed by mistake
If you uninstall an app and later decide you want it back, you can reinstall it for free. Open the Google Play Store (the app with a colorful triangle icon) or the Samsung Galaxy Store (if the app was pre-installed by Samsung). Search for the app by name, tap it, and tap Install. The app will read and install within a minute or two.
Apps you paid for will not charge you again when you reinstall them — the Play Store remembers your purchase. If the app syncs data to the cloud, your saved information will return automatically once you log back in. Free apps reinstall when ready with no cost or waiting period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove apps that came with my Samsung tablet?
Apps you downloaded yourself can always be uninstalled. Pre-installed apps from Samsung or your carrier usually cannot be uninstalled, but you can disable them to hide them and stop them from running. Disabling is almost as good as uninstalling because the app will no longer appear on your tablet or use battery power.
Will uninstalling an app free up storage space on my tablet?
Yes. Uninstalling removes the app's files from your tablet's storage. The amount of space freed depends on the app's size — some apps use only a few megabytes, while others use hundreds. You can see how much space each app uses by opening Settings > Apps and tapping each app name.
What if I uninstall an app and then want it back?
Open the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store, search for the app by name, and tap Install. It will reinstall for free. If the app syncs data to the cloud, your saved information will return when you log back in. Paid apps will not charge you again.
Why does an app keep coming back after I uninstall it?
Some pre-installed apps reinstall automatically when you restart your tablet or receive a system update. If an app keeps returning and you do not want it, disable it instead of uninstalling it. Go to Settings > Apps, find the app, and tap Disable. It will stay hidden even after updates.
Can I delete apps without using the home screen?
Yes. Open Settings > Apps, find the app you want to remove, tap it, and select Uninstall. This method works the same way as pressing and holding the app icon, but it lets you see all your apps in a list and delete multiple apps without switching screens.