How to delete apps from your Samsung TV

You can remove apps from your Samsung TV directly from the home screen or the app menu in a few taps. The exact steps depend on whether you're using an older Samsung TV with Tizen or a newer model, but both methods take less than a minute per app. You don't need a remote app or special tools — just your TV remote.

Removing apps frees up storage space on your TV and cleans up your home screen so you see only the services you actually use. Unlike uninstalling from a phone, deleting an app from your Samsung TV doesn't affect your account or subscriptions — you can reinstall it later from the Samsung App Store without losing your login information.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Samsung TVs let you delete apps by highlighting the app icon, pressing and holding the select button, and choosing delete or remove from the menu that appears.
  • Pre-installed apps that came with your TV (like Samsung TV Plus or SmartThings) often cannot be deleted, though you can hide them from your home screen.
  • Deleting an app does not cancel any subscription or account tied to that app — you can reinstall it later and log back in.
  • If you cannot find a delete option, your TV model may only allow you to hide apps rather than remove them permanently.

Deleting apps from the home screen

The fastest way to remove an app is directly from your home screen. Navigate to the app you want to delete using your remote's arrow buttons, then press and hold the select button (the center button on your remote's directional pad) for two to three seconds. A menu will pop up with options including Delete, Remove, or Uninstall — the exact wording varies by TV model and which version of Tizen your TV runs.

Once you see the menu, use the arrow buttons to highlight Delete or Remove, then press select to confirm. The app will disappear from your home screen when ready. If a confirmation message appears asking "Are you sure?", press select again to complete the removal. The app is now gone from your TV's storage.

Removing apps from the app menu

If you prefer to manage all your apps in one place, you can delete them from the full app menu instead. Press the Apps button on your remote (or navigate to the Apps tile on your home screen and select it). This opens a grid or list of every app installed on your TV, including pre-installed ones.

Find the app you want to remove, highlight it, and press and hold the select button just as you would on the home screen. The same delete menu will appear. Select Delete or Remove and confirm. This method is useful if you want to review all installed apps at once before deciding what to keep.

Apps you cannot delete (and how to hide them)

Samsung TVs come with built-in apps like Samsung TV Plus, SmartThings, and the Samsung Health widget that cannot be deleted. These are part of the TV's core system and are locked to prevent accidental removal. If you press and hold the select button on one of these apps, you'll see options like Hide or Remove from Home instead of Delete.

Choosing Hide removes the app from your home screen so you don't see it, but it remains installed on your TV. If you ever want to use it again, you can unhide it by going to the Apps menu, finding a Hidden Apps or All Apps section, and selecting the app to restore it to your home screen. This is a good middle ground if an app takes up space visually but you might need it later.

What happens to your accounts and subscriptions

Deleting an app from your TV does not cancel your account or subscription with that service. If you had Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu installed and you delete the app, your subscription continues to charge your payment method — the app is straightforward no longer on your TV. You can reinstall the app later from the Samsung App Store and log back in with the same account.

This is different from canceling a subscription, which you must do through the service's website or app on another device. If you want to stop paying for a service, cancel the subscription first through the company's website, then delete the app from your TV. If you delete the app by mistake and want to use the service again, reinstall it and your account will still be there.

Reinstalling an app you deleted

If you delete an app and later change your mind, you can reinstall it in seconds. Press the Apps button on your remote and look for a search icon or a Samsung App Store tile. Select it to open the store, then search for the app by name. When you find it, select Install and wait for the read to finish — most apps take under a minute on a standard internet connection.

Once installed, the app will appear on your home screen or in your Apps menu. Log in with your account if prompted. Your viewing history, saved preferences, and watchlist are usually still there because they're stored on the service's servers, not on your TV.

Freeing up storage space on your TV

Samsung TVs have limited built-in storage, and installing too many apps can slow down your TV's performance or prevent new apps from installing. Removing apps you don't use regularly is the simplest way to free up space. You can also clear the cache (temporary files) for individual apps without deleting them, though this is less common on TVs than on phones.

If your TV is running slowly or you see a message that storage is full, start by deleting apps you haven't opened in months. Streaming apps like Netflix and Disney+ take up the most space. After you delete a few apps, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in — this can also help improve performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete pre-installed Samsung apps?

No. Apps like Samsung TV Plus, SmartThings, and the Samsung Health widget are locked and cannot be deleted. You can hide them from your home screen so they don't appear, but they will remain on your TV. If you need to use one later, you can unhide it from the hidden apps section.

Will deleting an app cancel my Netflix or Disney+ subscription?

No. Your subscription continues whether the app is installed or not. Deleting the app only removes it from your TV. To stop paying, you must cancel the subscription through the service's website or app on another device. You can reinstall the app later and log back in with the same account.

How do I know if an app is taking up a lot of storage?

Samsung TVs don't show individual app sizes the way phones do. If your TV is running slowly or won't install new apps, storage is likely full. Delete apps you haven't used in a while, starting with streaming services, then restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

What if the delete option doesn't appear when I hold the select button?

Some older Samsung TV models only allow you to hide apps, not delete them. If you see Hide or Remove from Home instead of Delete, your TV model doesn't support permanent removal. Hiding the app removes it from your home screen, which achieves the same visual result.

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-all option. If you want to clean up your TV, go through your home screen or Apps menu and delete each app individually by pressing and holding select.