The fastest way to remove an app from your Android tablet
Open the Settings app on your tablet, then tap Apps or Applications (the exact name depends on your tablet's manufacturer). Find the app you want to remove in the list, tap it, and select Uninstall. The app will be gone within seconds. This method works on every Android tablet and removes the app completely from your device.
If you want to remove an app without opening Settings, you can also long-press the app icon on your home screen or in your app drawer, then tap Uninstall from the menu that appears. Both methods do the same thing — they delete the app and free up storage space.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings, tap Apps, find the app you want to remove, and select Uninstall to delete it completely.
- You can also long-press an app icon on your home screen and choose Uninstall from the menu.
- Some apps that came with your tablet cannot be uninstalled, but you can disable them to hide them from view.
- Uninstalling an app frees up storage space and removes it from your tablet entirely — you can reinstall it later from the Google Play Store if you change your mind.
- If an app is frozen or will not uninstall normally, you may need to clear its cache or restart your tablet first.
Using the Settings app to uninstall apps
The Settings method is the most reliable way to remove any app. Tap the Settings icon (usually a gear symbol) on your home screen or in your app drawer. Scroll down and look for Apps, Applications, or App Management — the label varies by tablet brand. Samsung tablets often call it Apps, while others may say process Manager.
Once you open the Apps section, you will see a list of every program installed on your tablet. Scroll through the list to find the app you want to remove. Tap the app name, then look for the Uninstall button near the top of the screen. Tap it, and a confirmation message will appear asking if you are sure. Confirm by tapping Uninstall again, and the app will be deleted.
After uninstalling, the app will no longer appear in your app drawer or on your home screen. If you reinstall it later, you can read it again from the Google Play Store at no cost.
Uninstalling apps directly from your home screen
If you see an app icon on your home screen or in your app drawer that you want to remove, you can uninstall it without opening Settings. Long-press (hold your finger on) the app icon for two to three seconds until a menu appears. The menu will show options like Uninstall, App info, or Remove.
Tap Uninstall or Remove from the menu. A confirmation screen will appear — tap Uninstall again to confirm. The app will be deleted when ready. This method is faster than using Settings if you already see the app on your screen.
Note that not all tablets show the uninstall option when you long-press an icon. If the menu does not include an uninstall button, use the Settings method instead.
What to do if an app will not uninstall
Some apps that came with your tablet cannot be uninstalled — these are called system apps or pre-installed apps. Instead of uninstalling them, you can disable them. Go to Settings, open Apps, find the app, and tap Disable instead of Uninstall. Disabling hides the app from your app drawer and stops it from running in the background, though it remains on your device.
If an app you installed yourself will not uninstall, try clearing its cache first. Go to Settings, tap Apps, find the app, and select Storage or Storage and cache. Tap Clear Cache, then go back and try uninstalling again. If that does not work, restart your tablet and try once more.
If an app is still stuck, it may have administrator permissions. Go to Settings, search for Device Admin or Device Administrators, find the app in the list, and tap Deactivate or Remove. Then return to Apps and uninstall it normally.
How much storage space you will free up
Uninstalling an app removes the app itself and all the data it stored on your tablet. The amount of space you free up depends on the app — a small utility might use only a few megabytes, while a game or social media app can use hundreds of megabytes or even a gigabyte or more. You can see how much space each app uses before you uninstall it by going to Settings, tapping Apps, and selecting the app. The storage amount will be listed on the app's information screen.
If your tablet is running low on storage, uninstalling large apps is one of the fastest ways to free up space. You can also check which apps are taking up the most room by going to Settings, tapping Storage or Device Storage, and looking at the breakdown by app.
Reinstalling an app you removed
If you uninstall an app and later decide you want it back, you can reinstall it from the Google Play Store. Open the Play Store app on your tablet, search for the app by name, and tap Install. The app will read and install automatically. If you paid for the app when you first installed it, you will not have to pay again — Google remembers your purchase.
Some apps may also appear in your Google Play account's My apps and games section under the Library tab. You can reinstall from there as well by tapping the app and selecting Install.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I uninstall apps that came with my tablet?
Most pre-installed apps cannot be uninstalled, but you can disable them instead. Disabling hides the app and stops it from running. If you want to uninstall a pre-installed app and the Uninstall button is grayed out, try removing its administrator permissions first through Settings.
Will uninstalling an app delete my data?
Yes, uninstalling an app removes the app and all the data it stored on your tablet, including saved games, settings, and login information. If the app stores data in your Google account (like Gmail or Google Drive), that data remains in your account and will be there if you reinstall the app.
What is the difference between uninstalling and disabling an app?
Uninstalling removes the app completely from your tablet and frees up storage space. Disabling hides the app and stops it from running, but the app remains on your device and still uses some storage. You can only disable pre-installed apps; uninstall is for apps you installed yourself.
Can I uninstall multiple apps at once?
No, Android tablets require you to uninstall apps one at a time. Go to Settings, open Apps, and uninstall each app individually by tapping it and selecting Uninstall. There is no batch uninstall feature in the standard Android system.
What should I do if an app keeps coming back after I uninstall it?
If an app reappears after uninstalling, it may be a system app that your tablet automatically reinstalls, or it may be linked to another app or service. Try disabling it instead of uninstalling it. If it is a third-party app, check your Google Play account settings to make sure automatic updates are not reinstalling it.