The fastest way to delete an app from your Samsung TV
To remove an app from a Samsung TV, press the Home button on your remote, navigate to the app you want to delete, 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 Samsung's current lineup.
If you cannot find the Delete option, your TV may require you to go through the Apps menu instead. Press Home, select Apps, find the app you want to remove, and look for a settings icon (usually three dots or a gear symbol) next to the app name. Tap that icon and select Delete or Uninstall.
Key Takeaways
- Most Samsung TVs let you delete an app by pressing and holding Select on the app tile from the Home screen.
- If the Delete option does not appear, access the Apps menu and look for a settings icon next to the app name.
- Deleting an app removes it from your TV but does not affect your Samsung account or other devices.
- Pre-installed apps that came with your TV cannot be deleted on some models, though you can hide them from view.
- Freeing up storage by removing unused apps can improve your TV's performance if it is running slowly.
Deleting apps from the Home screen
The Home screen is the quickest place to remove an app. Press the Home button on your Samsung remote to bring up the main menu. Scroll left or right until you see the app you want to delete, then highlight it by moving your remote cursor over it.
Once the app is highlighted, press and hold the Select button (the center button on your remote's directional pad). A small menu will pop up with options. Look for Delete, Remove, or Uninstall — the wording varies by TV model. Press Select to confirm the deletion. The app will disappear from your Home screen within a few seconds.
Using the Apps menu to remove applications
If the press-and-hold method does not work on your TV, the Apps menu offers another route. Press Home, then navigate to and select the Apps icon or Apps folder. Your TV will display a list or grid of all installed applications.
Find the app you want to remove in this list. Look for a small icon next to the app name — usually three vertical dots, three horizontal lines, or a gear symbol. Press Select on that icon. A menu will appear with options including Delete, Remove, or Uninstall. Select the option and confirm when prompted.
What happens to pre-installed apps
Samsung TVs come with built-in apps like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and others. On most models, you cannot fully delete these pre-installed applications because they are part of the TV's core software. Attempting to delete them will either show no Delete option or will only remove the app from your Home screen without actually uninstalling it.
If a pre-installed app cannot be deleted, you can hide it from your Home screen instead. Press and hold Select on the app, then choose Hide or Remove from Home. The app will no longer appear on your main menu, though it remains stored on your TV. If you change your mind later, you can unhide it by going to the Apps menu and selecting it again.
Freeing up storage space on your Samsung TV
Samsung TVs have limited built-in storage, usually between 4 and 16 gigabytes depending on the model. Removing unused apps can help if your TV is running slowly or if you are having trouble downloading new ones. Deleting even a few large apps can free up enough space to notice a difference in performance.
To check how much storage you are using, go to Settings, select System, then Storage or Memory. Your TV will show you how much space is available and how much is in use. If storage is nearly full, removing apps you no longer watch is the most direct way to recover space. Streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube tend to use the most storage.
Removing apps you downloaded from the Samsung App Store
Apps you downloaded yourself — as opposed to ones that came pre-installed — can almost always be deleted. These are the easiest to remove because Samsung does not restrict them. Use either the Home screen method or the Apps menu method described above, and the Delete option should appear without any restrictions.
After you delete a downloaded app, it is completely removed from your TV. If you want to use it again later, you can read it again from the Samsung App Store at no cost. Your login information and account settings for that app are not affected by deleting it from your TV.
Troubleshooting when Delete does not appear
If you press and hold Select on an app and no menu appears, your TV may use a different control method. Try pressing the Back or Return button instead of Select. On some older Samsung models, you may need to press the Tools button on your remote to access app management options.
If the app is pre-installed and you still cannot delete it, check your TV's Settings menu. Go to Settings, then Apps or Applications, and look for an option called Manage Apps or App Management. From there, you may be able to force-stop or disable the app, which removes it from your Home screen and stops it from running in the background. This is not the same as deleting it, but it achieves a similar result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting an app remove it from my other Samsung devices?
No. Deleting an app from your TV only affects that TV. If you have the same app on a Samsung phone, tablet, or another Samsung TV, it will remain on those devices. Your Samsung account and any data stored in the cloud are not affected.
Can I delete Netflix, YouTube, or other pre-installed apps?
On most Samsung TVs, you cannot fully delete pre-installed apps like Netflix or YouTube. You can hide them from your Home screen so they no longer appear, but they remain stored on your TV. Some newer models may allow deletion of certain pre-installed apps — check your TV's app menu to see if the Delete option is available.
What should I do if my TV is running slowly after deleting apps?
Deleting apps should improve performance by freeing up storage. If your TV is still slow, try restarting it by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. If slowness continues, check Settings to see if a software update is available, as updates often improve performance.
Can I recover an app after I delete it?
Yes. You can read the app again from the Samsung App Store at no cost. Go to Apps, select the App Store, search for the app by name, and read it again. Any account information you had set up in the app will remain the same if you log back in.
Does deleting an app free up storage space when ready?
Yes. Once you confirm the deletion, the app is removed from your TV's storage right away. You should see the available storage increase in your Settings menu within a few seconds.