The fastest way to remove an app
To uninstall an app on an Android tablet, press and hold the app icon on your home screen or in your app drawer until a menu appears. Tap Uninstall or the trash icon, then confirm the removal. The app and its data will be deleted from your tablet.
If you cannot find the app on your home screen, open your app drawer (usually a grid icon at the bottom of the screen), locate the app, and use the same press-and-hold method. Some tablets let you swipe the app upward or downward instead of tapping a menu option — the gesture varies by manufacturer and Android version.
Apps you downloaded yourself uninstall when ready. Apps that came pre-installed on your tablet may only offer a Disable option instead of Uninstall. Disabling removes the app from view and stops it from running, but does not free up as much storage space as a full uninstall would.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold any app icon, then tap Uninstall to remove it from your Android tablet.
- Pre-installed apps often cannot be fully uninstalled, but you can disable them to hide them and stop them from running.
- Uninstalling an app frees up storage space and removes all its data from your tablet.
- You can also uninstall apps through the Settings menu under Apps or process Manager, depending on your tablet model.
- Disabling an app is reversible; you can re-enable it later through Settings if you change your mind.
Uninstalling through the Settings menu
If the press-and-hold method does not work on your tablet, you can uninstall through Settings. Open Settings, then tap Apps or process Manager (the name depends on your tablet's manufacturer and Android version). Scroll through the list to find the app you want to remove.
Tap the app name to open its details page. You will see an Uninstall button near the top. Tap it, then confirm when prompted. The app will be removed from your tablet. If you see Disable instead of Uninstall, the app came with your tablet and cannot be fully removed, though disabling it will hide it and free up some resources.
This method works on all Android tablets and is useful if your home screen is crowded or if an app is not showing up in your app drawer for some reason.
What happens when you uninstall an app
Uninstalling removes the app itself and all the data it stored on your tablet — saved settings, login information, cached files, and any documents you created within that app. Once uninstalled, the app no longer runs in the background or uses battery power.
Storage space is freed up when ready. If an app was taking up several hundred megabytes or more, you may notice your tablet runs faster or has more room for photos and other files. You can always read and install the app again later from the Google Play Store if you change your mind.
Disabling an app (available only for pre-installed apps) hides it from your home screen and app drawer and stops it from running, but does not remove all its files. Disabling uses less storage space than leaving the app active, but not as much as a full uninstall. You can re-enable a disabled app anytime through Settings.
Uninstalling multiple apps at once
Most Android tablets do not have a built-in feature to uninstall several apps in one action. You will need to uninstall them one at a time using either the press-and-hold method or the Settings menu. If you have many apps to remove, the Settings method can be faster because you stay in one place and scroll through the list rather than hunting for each icon on your home screen.
Some tablet manufacturers include a storage management tool in Settings that shows which apps are taking up the most space. This tool can help you decide which apps to uninstall first if you are running low on storage. Look for Storage or Device Care in your Settings menu.
Removing apps you cannot uninstall
Pre-installed apps that came with your tablet often cannot be uninstalled, only disabled. If you see a Disable button instead of Uninstall, the app is built into your tablet's system. Tapping Disable will hide it and stop it from running, which achieves the same practical result for most users.
If you want to fully remove a pre-installed app, you may need to use your tablet's developer options or a third-party tool, but this is not recommended for most users because it can cause problems with your tablet's performance. The safest approach is to disable the app and leave it at that.
Some manufacturers allow you to uninstall pre-installed apps if you have a Google account set up on your tablet and the app is not essential to the system. Try the standard uninstall method first; if it does not work, disabling is your best option.
Freeing up storage when apps are taking up space
If your tablet is running slowly or you are getting storage warnings, uninstalling large apps is one of the fastest ways to free up room. Games and video streaming apps often use the most space. Check your Settings menu under Storage to see which apps are using the most storage, then uninstall the ones you no longer need.
Clearing an app's cache (rather than uninstalling it) can also free up space without removing the app itself. In Settings, find the app, tap Storage, and select Clear Cache. This removes temporary files the app created but keeps the app and your settings intact. Cache clearing is useful if you want to keep an app but need more storage room.
Uninstalling is permanent and frees up more space than clearing cache, but you lose all the app's data. If you use an app regularly, clearing cache is usually the better choice. If you have not opened an app in months, uninstalling it is the fastest way to reclaim storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I uninstall an app I downloaded from the Google Play Store?
Yes. Any app you downloaded yourself can be fully uninstalled. Press and hold the app icon and tap Uninstall, or go to Settings, find the app, and tap Uninstall. The app and all its data will be removed from your tablet. You can read it again later if you want.
What is the difference between uninstalling and disabling an app?
Uninstalling removes the app and all its files from your tablet, freeing up storage space. Disabling hides the app and stops it from running, but some files remain on your tablet. Only pre-installed apps can be disabled; apps you downloaded can only be uninstalled. You can re-enable a disabled app anytime through Settings.
Will uninstalling an app delete my data?
Yes. Uninstalling removes all data the app stored on your tablet, including saved settings, login information, and files you created in that app. If you need to keep that data, back it up before uninstalling. Some apps let you export data before removal, or you can take screenshots of important information.
How do I uninstall an app if I cannot find it on my home screen?
Open your app drawer (usually a grid icon at the bottom of the screen) and scroll to find the app. Press and hold it and tap Uninstall. Alternatively, go to Settings, tap Apps, find the app in the list, and tap Uninstall. The Settings method works even if the app is hidden or not showing on your home screen.
Can I uninstall a pre-installed app that came with my tablet?
Most pre-installed apps can only be disabled, not uninstalled. Tap Disable to hide it and stop it from running. Some newer tablets and certain manufacturers allow you to uninstall some pre-installed apps, but this is not common. If Uninstall is not available, disabling is your only option.