The fastest way to delete an app depends on your tablet's operating system

On most tablets, you can remove an app by pressing and holding its icon on the home screen until a menu appears, then selecting delete or remove. The exact steps and wording differ between iPad (Apple), Android tablets (Samsung, Amazon Fire, and others), and older Windows tablets. The method also depends on whether you want to delete the app entirely or just remove it from your home screen while keeping it installed.

Deleted apps can usually be reinstalled later from your tablet's app store at no cost if the app was free. Paid apps cannot be re-downloaded without purchasing again, though some tablets let you restore purchases. Removing an app also frees up storage space, which matters if your tablet is running low on memory.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPad, press and hold the app icon until a menu appears, then tap "Remove App" and confirm you want to delete it.
  • On Android tablets, long-press the app icon, then drag it to "Uninstall" or select "Uninstall" from the menu that appears.
  • On Amazon Fire tablets, press and hold the app, then select "Uninstall" from the options menu.
  • Removing an app from your home screen is different from uninstalling it; removing just hides the icon while the app stays on your device.
  • You can reinstall free apps later from your tablet's app store, but paid apps must be purchased again unless your tablet supports purchase restoration.

How to remove apps on an iPad

Press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears with several options. Look for "Remove App" in that menu and tap it. A second menu will ask you to confirm; select "Delete App" to remove it completely from your iPad.

If you only want to hide the app from your home screen without deleting it, choose "Remove from Home Screen" instead. The app will stay on your iPad and remain in your App Library (the grid of category folders at the far right of your home screens). You can move it back to your home screen later by finding it in the App Library and dragging it back.

To delete an app using Settings instead, open Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage). Scroll down to find the app you want to remove, tap it, and select "Offload App" to remove it while keeping its data, or "Delete App" to remove it entirely.

How to remove apps on Android tablets

Press and hold the app icon until a menu or toolbar appears at the top or bottom of your screen. Look for an option labeled "Uninstall," "Remove," or a trash can icon. Tap that option and confirm when prompted. The app will be deleted from your tablet.

Some Android tablets let you drag the app icon to a trash or uninstall zone that appears when you hold it. If you see a trash icon or "Uninstall" text appear at the top of the screen while holding the icon, drag the app to that spot and release it.

You can also remove apps through Settings. Open Settings, go to Apps or process Manager, find the app in the list, tap it, and select "Uninstall." This method works the same way on most Android tablets, including Samsung Galaxy Tab and other brands.

How to remove apps on Amazon Fire tablets

Press and hold the app icon on your home screen. A menu will appear with options including "Uninstall." Tap "Uninstall" and confirm your choice. The app will be removed from your Fire tablet.

You can also manage apps through the Appstore. Open the Appstore app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select "My Apps & Games," find the app you want to remove, and tap "Uninstall."

The difference between removing and uninstalling

Removing an app from your home screen is not the same as uninstalling it. When you remove an app from your home screen, the app stays on your tablet but its icon disappears from the main display. You can still find it in your app library or app drawer and launch it from there.

Uninstalling completely removes the app from your tablet, freeing up storage space. On iPad, this is called "Delete App." On Android and Fire tablets, it is called "Uninstall." Once uninstalled, the app no longer takes up storage space, though you can reinstall it later if you change your mind.

If your tablet is running low on storage, uninstalling unused apps is one of the fastest ways to free up space. Removing apps from your home screen does not free up any space.

What happens to your data when you delete an app

When you uninstall an app, any data stored within that app is usually deleted as well. This includes saved games, login information, preferences, and any files the app created. Once the app is gone, that data cannot be recovered unless you backed it up separately.

Some tablets offer an "Offload" option (on iPad) that removes the app but keeps its data. If you offload an app and later reinstall it, your saved data will still be there. This is useful if you want to free up space temporarily but plan to use the app again.

Before uninstalling an app that contains important information, check whether the app syncs data to the cloud or to your account. Many apps (email, cloud storage, social media) store data on their servers, so uninstalling the app does not delete that data. You can reinstall the app and log back in to access it.

How to reinstall an app you deleted

Open your tablet's app store: the App Store on iPad, Google Play on most Android tablets, or the Appstore on Fire tablets. Search for the app by name using the search function. If the app is free, tap the read or install button. If it is a paid app you purchased before, the button may say "Restore" or show a price; check your tablet's purchase history to see if you can restore it without paying again.

Free apps can be reinstalled as many times as you want at no cost. Paid apps vary by tablet and app store. Apple's App Store usually lets you restore paid apps you have purchased before without paying again. Google Play and Amazon's Appstore have similar restoration policies, though some paid apps may require a new purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover an app I deleted by mistake?

Yes. Open your app store, search for the app by name, and reinstall it. If it is a free app, reinstalling costs nothing. If it was a paid app you purchased before, check whether your app store lets you restore the purchase without paying again. Most do, but policies vary.

Will deleting an app free up storage space on my tablet?

Yes. Uninstalling an app removes the app files from your tablet, which frees up storage. Removing an app from your home screen does not free up space because the app stays on your device. If your tablet is low on storage, uninstalling unused apps is one of the quickest ways to make room.

What is the difference between "Remove App" and "Delete App" on iPad?

"Remove App" on iPad gives you two choices: "Remove from Home Screen" (which hides the icon but keeps the app) or "Delete App" (which removes it entirely). If you select "Delete App," the app is uninstalled and its data is erased. You can reinstall it later from the App Store.

Do I lose my data when I uninstall an app?

Usually yes. Uninstalling an app deletes the app and any data stored within it, such as saved games or login information. However, if the app syncs data to the cloud or to your account (like email or social media apps), that data stays on the company's servers and you can access it by reinstalling the app and logging back in.

Why can't I find the uninstall option when I press and hold an app?

Some system apps that came with your tablet cannot be uninstalled, only removed from your home screen. If no uninstall option appears, try removing the app from your home screen instead, or check your tablet's Settings under Apps to see if uninstall is available there. Built-in apps like Calendar or Mail often cannot be fully deleted.