How to Delete Apps From Your Samsung Smart TV

The fastest way to remove an app from your Samsung TV

To delete an app from a Samsung Smart TV, press the Home button on your remote, navigate to the app you want to remove, press and hold the Select button (the center circle on your remote), then choose Delete or Remove from the menu that appears. The exact wording depends on your TV model and the year it was made, but the process is the same across all Samsung Smart TVs made in the last five years.

If you cannot find the Delete option, your TV may require you to go through the Settings menu instead. This happens on some older Samsung models. In that case, go to Settings, select Apps, find the app you want to remove, and look for an Uninstall button.

Apps you downloaded yourself will delete completely. Apps that came pre-installed on your TV (like Netflix, YouTube, or Samsung's own apps) usually cannot be deleted, but you can hide them so they no longer appear on your home screen.

Key Takeaways

Most Samsung TVs let you delete downloaded apps by pressing and holding Select on the app, then choosing Delete from the menu.
Pre-installed apps cannot be deleted but can be hidden from your home screen through the same menu.
Older Samsung TV models may require you to delete apps through Settings instead of using the remote menu.
Deleting an app frees up storage space on your TV and removes it from your app list permanently.

How to delete apps using the remote menu

This is the method that works on most Samsung Smart TVs made after 2018. Start by pressing the Home button on your remote to bring up your home screen. Use the arrow buttons to highlight the app you want to remove.

Once the app is highlighted, press and hold the Select button (the circular button in the center of the directional pad) for two to three seconds. A small menu will pop up with options. Look for Delete, Remove, or Uninstall — the wording varies by model. Press Select to confirm the deletion.

The TV will ask you to confirm that you want to delete the app. Select Yes or Confirm, and the app will be removed from your TV. The process takes less than a minute from start to finish.

Deleting apps through the Settings menu

If the remote menu method does not work on your TV, or if you have an older Samsung model, use the Settings route instead. Press the Home button, then navigate to Settings (usually a gear icon). Look for Apps or Applications in the menu.

Select Apps, and you will see a list of all installed apps on your TV. Scroll through and find the app you want to remove. Select it, and look for an Uninstall or Delete button. Press it, confirm your choice, and the app will be removed.

This method takes a few extra steps but works reliably on all Samsung TV models, including older ones from 2015 to 2017. If you are not sure which method your TV uses, try the remote menu first — if it does not work, the Settings menu will.

What happens when you delete an app

Deleting an app removes it completely from your TV's storage. You will no longer see it on your home screen or in your app list. If you want to use that app again later, you can read it again from the Samsung App Store or the Google Play Store (depending on your TV model).

Deleting apps frees up storage space on your TV. Samsung Smart TVs have limited built-in storage, and removing apps you no longer use can help your TV run faster and prevent storage-full errors when you try to read new apps.

Pre-installed apps that came with your TV cannot be deleted this way. If you try to delete Netflix, YouTube, or other built-in apps, you will see a Hide or Remove from Home option instead. Choosing this option removes the app from your home screen but keeps it installed on your TV in case you want to use it later.

Hiding apps instead of deleting them

If you do not want to see an app on your home screen but do not want to delete it, you can hide it instead. This is useful for pre-installed apps you rarely use or apps you want to keep but do not need quick access to.

Highlight the app, press and hold Select, and choose Hide or Remove from Home. The app will disappear from your home screen when ready. It will still be installed on your TV and will still take up storage space, but you will not see it when you turn on your TV.

To unhide an app later, go to Settings, select Apps, and look for a Hidden Apps or All Apps section. You can restore any hidden app to your home screen from there.

Freeing up storage space on your Samsung TV

Samsung Smart TVs typically have between 4 and 8 gigabytes of storage, depending on the model. This space fills up quickly if you read many apps. When your TV runs low on storage, it may slow down or refuse to read new apps.

Deleting apps you no longer use is the most direct way to free up space. Start with apps you have not opened in months. You can also clear the cache (temporary files) for individual apps through Settings, which frees up space without deleting the app itself.

If you delete an app and your TV still feels slow, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This clears your TV's memory and often improves performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete pre-installed apps like Netflix or YouTube?

No, pre-installed apps cannot be deleted on Samsung Smart TVs. You can only hide them from your home screen. If you want to use them again, you can unhide them through Settings. Downloaded apps, however, can be deleted completely.

Will deleting an app remove my saved data or passwords?

Yes, deleting an app removes all data associated with it, including saved passwords, watch history, and preferences. When you read the app again, you will need to log back in and set it up from scratch.

How do I know if an app is pre-installed or downloaded?

Pre-installed apps usually came with your TV and include Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and Samsung's own apps. Downloaded apps are ones you added yourself through the App Store. If you are unsure, try to delete it — if the Delete option does not appear, it is pre-installed.

What should I do if the Delete option does not appear?

If Delete does not show up when you press and hold Select, the app is likely pre-installed and cannot be deleted. Try hiding it instead, or use the Settings menu to see if an Uninstall option is available there. If neither works, the app is built into your TV.

Does deleting apps make my Samsung TV faster?

Deleting unused apps frees up storage space, which can help your TV run more smoothly. However, the main benefit is preventing storage-full errors. If your TV is running slowly, restarting it usually helps more than deleting apps.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.