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 (the center circle on your remote), then choose Delete from the menu that appears. The app will be removed from your TV within seconds.
The exact steps depend slightly on your TV's model year and software version, but this method works on most Samsung Smart TVs made in the last five years. If your remote does not have a dedicated Home button, look for a button with a house icon or try the Menu button instead.
Key Takeaways
- Press Home on your remote, find the app, hold Select (the center button), and choose Delete from the menu.
- Deleting an app removes it from your home screen but does not erase your account or login information if you reinstall it later.
- Some pre-installed Samsung apps cannot be deleted, only hidden or disabled through your TV's settings.
- If the Delete option does not appear, your TV model may require you to uninstall the app through the Apps or Settings menu instead.
Step-by-step deletion from the home screen
Start by pressing the Home button on your Samsung remote. This takes you to your TV's main screen where all your apps are displayed as tiles or icons. Scroll left or right using the arrow buttons on your remote until you find the app you want to remove.
Once you have located the app, press and hold the Select button (the round button in the center of the directional pad) for about two seconds. A small menu will pop up with options including Delete, Move, or View Details. Press Select again to highlight Delete, then press Select one more time to confirm. The app will disappear from your home screen when ready.
If you accidentally delete an app, you can reinstall it later through the Samsung App Store or your TV's Apps section without losing any saved settings or login information.
What happens when you delete an app
Deleting an app removes it from your home screen and frees up storage space on your TV. However, your account information for that app is usually preserved. If you reinstall the app later, you may be able to log back in without re-entering your password, depending on how the app stores that data.
Your viewing history, saved preferences, and watch lists within that app are typically stored on the app's own servers (like Netflix or YouTube), not on your TV itself. This means reinstalling the app will restore your personal data once you log back in.
Apps you cannot delete and how to hide them
Samsung pre-installs certain apps on every TV, such as Samsung TV Plus, SmartThings, or the Samsung Health app. These system apps cannot be deleted using the standard Delete method. If you do not use them, you have two options: hide them from your home screen or disable them through Settings.
To hide an app without deleting it, press Home, find the app, hold Select, and look for a Hide option instead of Delete. This removes it from your view without taking up any additional storage. To disable a pre-installed app entirely, go to Settings > Apps > System Apps, find the app, and select Disable. Disabled apps will not run in the background and will not send notifications.
Deleting apps through the Settings menu
If the Delete option does not appear when you hold Select on an app, your TV model may require a different method. Press the Home button, then navigate to Settings (usually a gear icon). Look for Apps or Applications in the menu.
Once you are in the Apps section, you will see a list of all installed applications. Scroll to find the app you want to remove, select it, and look for an Uninstall button. Press Select to confirm. This method works the same way as the home screen deletion but is useful if your remote's Select button is not responding or if your TV's interface has changed.
Troubleshooting when an app will not delete
If an app refuses to delete, it is likely a system app that Samsung has locked. Try the hiding method described above instead. If you see an error message like "Cannot uninstall system app," this confirms the app is protected and cannot be removed.
If a third-party app (one you downloaded yourself) will not delete, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Once it has restarted, try deleting the app again. If it still will not delete, check your TV's storage to make sure you have enough free space. Go to Settings > Storage to see how much space is available. If your TV is nearly full, delete other apps or clear the cache before trying again.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
To get an app back after deleting it, press Home and look for an Apps or App Store tile on your home screen. Select it to open the Samsung App Store. Use the search function to find the app by name, select it, and choose Install. The app will read and install within a few minutes depending on its size and your internet speed.
Some apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify are available directly from the Samsung App Store. Others may only be available through the Google Play Store if your TV supports it. Check which store your TV uses by looking at the app tiles on your home screen — you will see either the Samsung logo or the Google Play logo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting an app erase my saved passwords and login information?
No. Your login information is usually stored on the app company's servers, not on your TV. When you reinstall the app, you can often log back in without re-entering your password. However, some apps may require you to log in again for security reasons.
Can I delete multiple apps at once?
Most Samsung TVs require you to delete apps one at a time using the hold-Select method. There is no built-in bulk delete feature. If you want to remove many apps, you will need to repeat the process for each one.
What should I do if the Home button on my remote is not working?
Try using the Menu button instead, which often takes you to a similar home screen. If neither button works, your remote may need new batteries or a replacement. You can also use the Samsung SmartThings app on your phone to control your TV and delete apps remotely.
Does deleting an app free up storage space on my TV?
Yes. Removing an app frees up the storage space it was using. If your TV is running slowly or you are getting storage-full warnings, deleting unused apps can help improve performance.
Why do some apps have a Hide option instead of Delete?
Those are system apps that Samsung has locked to prevent accidental removal. Hiding them removes them from your view without deleting the underlying software. This protects your TV's core functions while keeping your home screen clean.