The fastest way to delete an app from your Samsung TV
To remove an app from your Samsung Smart 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 pad), then choose Delete or Remove from the menu that appears. The app will be gone in seconds. On newer Samsung models, you may see an Uninstall option instead of Delete — both do the same thing.
The exact wording and menu location depend on your TV's model year and software version, but the press-and-hold method works on nearly all Samsung Smart TVs made in the last five years. If your remote does not have a Select button or the menu does not appear, your TV likely uses a different interface, and the alternative methods below will work.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the Select button on your remote while highlighting an app to open a delete menu on most Samsung TVs.
- Apps you remove from your TV can be reinstalled later from the Samsung App Store at no cost.
- Removing an app does not erase any saved data or login information — that stays on your TV unless you manually clear it.
- If the press-and-hold method does not work, your TV's Settings menu contains an Apps section where you can uninstall from a list.
- Pre-installed apps that came with your TV cannot be deleted, only hidden from your home screen.
Using the Apps menu in Settings
If pressing and holding the Select button does not open a delete menu, you can remove apps through your TV's Settings. Press the Home button, then navigate to Settings (usually a gear icon). Scroll down and select Apps or Applications, depending on your model year.
Once you are in the Apps section, you will see a list of all installed apps. Highlight the app you want to remove and press Select. A menu will appear with options including Uninstall, Delete, or Remove. Select that option and confirm when the TV asks you to verify. The app will be deleted from your TV.
This method works on all Samsung Smart TV models, even older ones where the home screen press-and-hold does not function. It takes slightly longer than the remote method, but it is more reliable if you are unsure whether your remote supports the quick delete feature.
What happens to your data when you remove an app
Deleting an app from your Samsung TV removes only the app itself, not the information stored inside it. If you had logged into Netflix, Hulu, or another streaming service on that app, your login details remain saved on your TV. When you reinstall the app later, you will be logged back in automatically without re-entering your password.
If you want to erase your login information along with the app, you can clear the app's data before deleting it. Go to Settings, select Apps, highlight the app, and look for a Clear Data or Clear Cache option. Select that, confirm, then delete the app. This removes both the app and any stored passwords or preferences.
Be aware that clearing data is permanent — you cannot undo it. Only do this if you are certain you want to remove all traces of that app from your TV.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
Any app you remove can be put back on your TV at any time. Press the Home button, then navigate to the Samsung App Store or Apps Store (the name varies by model). Search for the app by name, select it, and choose Install or read. The app will be restored to your TV in a few minutes, and you will be logged back in if you did not clear the data.
Reinstalling is free — Samsung does not charge for apps or for downloading them again. You can remove and reinstall the same app as many times as you want without any cost or penalty.
Apps you cannot delete from your Samsung TV
Samsung pre-installs certain apps on every TV — apps like Samsung TV Plus, SmartThings, or the built-in web browser. These system apps cannot be deleted, only hidden from your home screen. If you try to delete one, you will see a message saying the app is protected or cannot be uninstalled.
To hide a pre-installed app instead of deleting it, press and hold it on your home screen and select Hide or Remove from Home Screen. The app will no longer appear on your main menu, but it will still be on your TV and will take up storage space. If you change your mind, you can unhide it by going to Settings, selecting Apps, finding the hidden app, and choosing Show or Unhide.
Freeing up storage space on your TV
Removing apps is the main way to free up storage on a Samsung Smart TV. Each app takes up between 50 megabytes and several gigabytes of space, depending on the app. If your TV is running slowly or you are getting messages that storage is full, deleting apps you do not use will help.
Check which apps are taking the most space by going to Settings, selecting Apps, and looking for a Storage or Size column. Apps like games, video editors, or large streaming services often use the most room. Delete the ones you do not watch or use regularly. After you delete several apps, your TV should run faster and respond more quickly to remote commands.
If you delete many apps and your TV still runs slowly, the problem may not be storage — it could be that your TV needs a restart. Unplug your TV from the wall outlet for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears the TV's temporary memory and often fixes sluggish performance.
Troubleshooting when an app will not delete
If you try to delete an app and nothing happens, or the delete option does not appear, the app may be a system app that Samsung protects. Try the Settings method instead of the remote method — sometimes one works when the other does not. If the Settings method also fails, the app is likely protected and cannot be removed, only hidden.
Another reason an app might not delete is if your TV is running an older software version. Samsung releases updates that change how apps work and what you can delete. Check for a software update by going to Settings, selecting Support or About This TV, and looking for a Software Update option. If an update is available, install it and try deleting the app again.
If you have tried both methods and the app still will not delete, and you are certain it is not a system app, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds. Sometimes a temporary glitch prevents deletion, and a restart fixes it. After the restart, try deleting the app one more time using the Settings method.
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 or select-multiple option. If you want to remove many apps, you will need to go through each one individually using either the press-and-hold method or the Settings menu.
Will deleting an app free up enough space to make my TV faster?
Deleting apps will free up storage space, which can help if your TV is running out of room. However, if your TV is slow and you have plenty of free storage, the problem is likely something else — a restart usually fixes slowness better than deleting apps. Try unplugging your TV for 30 seconds first before removing apps.
What if I delete an app by accident?
You can reinstall it when ready from the Samsung App Store at no cost. Go to the App Store, search for the app by name, and select Install. Your login information will still be there unless you cleared the app's data before deleting it.
Do I need to delete apps to save money on my Samsung TV bill?
No. Deleting apps does not lower your cable or internet bill. It only frees up storage space on your TV. If you are paying for a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu, deleting the app from your TV does not cancel your subscription — you will still be charged unless you cancel the service itself through the company's website.
Can I hide apps instead of deleting them?
Yes, you can hide any app from your home screen by pressing and holding it and selecting Hide or Remove from Home Screen. The app stays on your TV and takes up storage, but you will not see it on your main menu. This is the only option for system apps that cannot be deleted.