How to Delete Apps From Your Samsung Smart TV

The quickest 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 (or the center button on your remote), then choose Delete or Remove from the menu that appears. The app will be uninstalled within seconds. The exact wording and button names vary slightly depending on your TV model and the year it was made, but the press-and-hold method works on nearly all Samsung Smart TVs made in the last five years.

If the press-and-hold method does not work on your remote, you can also go through the TV's Settings menu to uninstall apps, though this takes a few more steps. Both methods are permanent — the app will be gone from your TV until you reinstall it later.

Key Takeaways

Press and hold the Select button on your remote while highlighting an app to bring up a delete option in most cases.
Deleting an app from your TV does not affect the same app on your phone, tablet, or other devices.
You can reinstall a deleted app later from the Samsung App Store without paying again if it was free.
Some pre-installed apps that came with your TV cannot be deleted, only hidden or disabled.

Using the press-and-hold method on your remote

This is the fastest way to delete most apps. Start by pressing the Home button on your Samsung remote to open the home screen. Use the arrow buttons to highlight the app you want to remove — move left, right, up, or down until the app is selected and usually shows a highlight or border around it.

Once the app is highlighted, press and hold the Select button (the center button on most Samsung remotes) for two to three seconds. A small menu should pop up with options like Delete, Remove, or Uninstall. Press Select again to choose Delete. The TV will ask you to confirm — select Yes or OK to finish. The app will disappear from your home screen when ready.

If nothing happens when you press and hold, your remote may not support this feature, or your TV model may use a different method. Move on to the Settings menu approach instead.

Deleting apps through the Settings menu

If the remote method does not work, you can remove apps by going through your TV's Settings. Press Home on your remote, then navigate to and select Settings (usually a gear icon). Look for an option called Apps, Applications, or Manage Apps — the exact name depends on your TV's software version.

Once you are in the Apps section, you will see a list of installed apps. Highlight the app you want to delete and select it. A details screen will appear with information about the app. Look for a button or option labeled Uninstall, Delete, or Remove and select it. Confirm the action when prompted. The app will be removed from your TV.

This method works on all Samsung Smart TV models, even older ones, though it takes longer than the remote press-and-hold method.

Apps you cannot delete and how to handle them

Samsung pre-installs certain apps on every TV — things like Netflix, Prime Video, or the Samsung TV Plus service. Some of these cannot be deleted, only hidden or disabled. If you try to delete an app and no delete option appears, it is a protected app that Samsung does not allow removal of.

To hide an app you cannot delete, press and hold it on the home screen (using the same method as deletion) and look for an option like Hide, Disable, or Remove from Home. This will take the app off your home screen so you do not see it, but it will still be installed on the TV. If you ever want to use it again, you can unhide it through the same menu or reinstall it from the Samsung App Store.

What happens after you delete an app

Once an app is deleted, it is completely removed from your TV's storage. Any data the app stored on your TV — like login information, watch history, or settings — will also be erased. If you reinstall the app later, you will need to log in again.

Deleting an app from your TV does not affect the same app on your phone, tablet, computer, or any other device. Your accounts and data on those devices remain unchanged. You can also reinstall the app on your TV at any time by going to the Samsung App Store (usually found on the home screen) and searching for it by name.

Freeing up storage space on your TV

If your Samsung TV is running slowly or you are getting storage warnings, deleting unused apps can help. Samsung Smart TVs typically have between 4 and 16 gigabytes of storage depending on the model, and apps take up space even when you are not using them. Removing apps you never watch or use can speed up your TV's performance and free up room for new apps or system updates.

To see how much storage space each app is using, go to Settings, then Apps or Manage Apps, and look for a Storage or Size column. Apps that show large file sizes are good candidates for deletion if you do not use them regularly. After deleting several apps, your TV may run noticeably faster, especially when switching between apps or loading the home screen.

Troubleshooting if an app will not delete

If you try to delete an app and it will not go away, the most common reason is that it is a protected system app that Samsung does not allow removal of. Try hiding it instead, which removes it from your home screen view. If hiding is also not an option, the app is locked by Samsung and cannot be removed.

Another reason deletion might fail is if your TV is low on storage space. In rare cases, Samsung TVs will not allow you to delete apps if the system storage is nearly full. Try deleting other apps first to free up space, then try again. If an app still will not delete after you have freed up storage, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and trying once more. If the problem continues, the app may be corrupted, and you may need to contact Samsung support for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete Netflix, Prime Video, or other streaming apps?

Yes, you can delete most streaming apps including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and others. These are not protected by Samsung. straightforward press and hold the app and select Delete. You can reinstall them later from the Samsung App Store if you want to use them again.

Will deleting an app delete my account or login information?

Yes. When you delete an app from your TV, any saved login information, preferences, or data stored on that TV will be erased. Your account itself remains active on the streaming service or company's servers. When you reinstall the app, you will need to log in again, but your account and watch history on that service will still be there.

What is the difference between hiding and deleting an app?

Deleting removes the app completely from your TV's storage. Hiding removes it from your home screen view but keeps it installed on the TV. Use hiding for apps you might want to use occasionally but do not want to see every day. Use deletion for apps you no longer want at all.

Can I delete apps that came pre-installed on my Samsung TV?

Most pre-installed apps can be deleted, but some cannot. If you try to delete an app and no delete option appears, it is protected by Samsung. You can hide these apps instead to remove them from your home screen. Protected apps vary by TV model and region.

How do I reinstall an app I deleted?

Go to the home screen, find and open the Samsung App Store (or Apps Store), search for the app by name, and select Install. The app will read and install within a few minutes. If the app was free, you will not be charged to reinstall it.

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.