How to Remove Apps from Your Samsung TV

The fastest way to delete an app from your Samsung TV

To remove an app from your 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 app will be uninstalled when ready. On most Samsung models made after 2016, this works the same way whether the app came pre-installed or you downloaded it yourself.

If you cannot find the app on your home screen, it may be in an Apps folder or on a second page. Use the arrow buttons on your remote to scroll left or right until you locate it, then follow the same delete steps. Some older Samsung TVs require you to go into the Settings menu instead—we cover that method below.

Key Takeaways

Press Home, find the app, hold Select, and choose Delete from the menu that appears on most Samsung TVs from 2016 onward.
Pre-installed apps cannot be deleted on some Samsung models, but you can hide them so they no longer appear on your home screen.
If the delete option does not appear, go to Settings > Apps > App Management and select the app to uninstall it from there.
Deleting an app frees up storage space on your TV and removes it completely—you can always read it again later from the Samsung App Store.

How to delete an app using the remote menu

This is the standard method on Samsung Smart TVs from 2016 to the present. 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 round 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 exact wording depends on your TV model and software version. Press Select to confirm, and the app will be removed from your TV.

If no menu appears when you hold Select, your TV may require the Settings method instead. This is more common on models from 2015 and earlier, or on some budget Samsung models.

Using Settings to uninstall apps

If the remote menu method does not work, you can remove apps through your TV's Settings. Press the Home button, then navigate to Settings (usually a gear icon in the top right corner of the home screen). Use the arrow buttons to scroll down and find Apps or process Manager.

Select Apps or process Manager and press Select. You will see a list of all installed apps on your TV. Highlight the app you want to remove and press Select. A details screen will appear showing information about that app. Look for an Uninstall or Delete button and press Select to confirm. The app will be removed from your TV.

The exact menu names vary slightly between Samsung TV models and software versions, but the path is always Home > Settings > Apps (or process Manager) > select the app > Uninstall.

What to do if an app will not delete

Some apps that came pre-installed on your Samsung TV cannot be uninstalled—these are usually apps like Samsung TV Plus, SmartThings, or YouTube. Instead of deleting them, you can hide them so they no longer clutter your home screen. Press and hold Select on the app, and choose Hide or Remove from Home instead of Delete. The app will stay on your TV but will not show up on your home screen.

If you see a message saying "This app cannot be uninstalled," it is a system app that Samsung locked to prevent accidental removal. You cannot bypass this restriction without technical tools that may void your warranty. Hiding the app is the only option.

If a third-party app (one you downloaded yourself) will not delete, try restarting your TV first. Unplug it from power for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up. Then try deleting the app again using either the remote menu or Settings method.

How much storage space you free up by deleting apps

Most Samsung TV apps take between 50 megabytes and 500 megabytes of storage, depending on the app. Streaming apps like Netflix or Disney+ tend to be larger, while straightforward apps like a weather widget or news reader are smaller. Deleting several unused apps can free up a gigabyte or more of space on your TV.

Samsung TVs typically have between 4 and 16 gigabytes of total storage, though the exact amount varies by model. If your TV is running slowly or you are getting storage warnings, removing apps you do not use is one of the fastest ways to improve performance. You can always read the app again later from the Samsung App Store if you change your mind.

Reinstalling an app you deleted

If you delete an app and later want it back, you can read it again from the Samsung App Store. Press Home, then look for an Apps icon or Samsung App Store icon on your home screen. Select it and search for the app by name. Once you find it, select it and choose read or Install. The app will be added back to your TV.

Your login information and settings for that app will not be saved—you will need to sign in again when you reinstall it. For apps like Netflix or Hulu, have your username and password ready before you start the read.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete multiple apps at once?

No, Samsung TVs require you to delete apps one at a time. There is no bulk delete feature. If you have many apps to remove, you will need to go through them individually using either the remote menu or Settings method.

Will deleting an app erase my saved data or login information?

Yes, uninstalling an app removes all data associated with it, including login information, saved preferences, and watch history. If you reinstall the app later, you will start fresh and need to sign in again.

What is the difference between hiding and deleting an app?

Deleting removes the app completely from your TV and frees up storage space. Hiding keeps the app on your TV but removes it from your home screen so you do not see it. You can only hide pre-installed apps; third-party apps can only be deleted.

Why does my TV say an app cannot be uninstalled?

System apps that came with your TV cannot be deleted because Samsung considers them essential. You can hide these apps instead so they do not appear on your home screen, but they will remain on your TV.

Do I need to restart my TV after deleting an app?

No, the app is removed when ready and your TV does not need to restart. However, if an app will not delete, restarting your TV sometimes fixes the problem before you try again.

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.