How to Remove Apps from Your Samsung Smart TV

The quickest way to uninstall an app on 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 button on your remote's directional pad), and choose Delete from the menu that appears. The app will be removed from your TV within seconds.

This method works on most Samsung Smart TVs made in the last five years. The exact button names and menu wording vary slightly depending on your TV model and the year it was made, but the process is nearly identical across all current Samsung models.

If your remote does not have a dedicated Home button, look for a button labeled with a house icon or press the Menu button instead. Both will take you to the home screen where your apps are displayed.

Key Takeaways

Press Home, find the app, hold Select, and choose Delete — the app disappears when ready and frees up storage space on your TV.
Uninstalling an app does not affect your Samsung account or any other apps on your TV.
You can reinstall any app you delete later by visiting the Samsung App Store, as long as it is still available.
If an app will not delete or you cannot find the Delete option, the app may be a system app that Samsung does not allow users to remove.

Step-by-step instructions for different Samsung TV models

The process is nearly the same on all Samsung Smart TVs, but the exact steps depend on whether your TV runs Tizen (Samsung's operating system) or an older interface. Most TVs made after 2016 use Tizen.

For Tizen-based Samsung TVs (2016 and newer): Press Home on your remote. Use the arrow buttons to highlight the app you want to remove. Press and hold the Select button (the center button) until a menu appears. Choose Delete or Remove. Confirm the deletion if prompted.

For older Samsung Smart TVs: Press Home or Menu. Navigate to Apps. Find the app you want to delete. Press and hold Select. Choose Delete from the options. Some older models may ask you to press a specific button like Tools or Red instead of holding Select — check your remote or TV manual if the hold-and-select method does not work.

If you are unsure which system your TV uses, check the model number on the back of your TV or in the Settings menu under About This TV. Samsung's support website can tell you which operating system that model runs.

What happens when you uninstall an app

When you delete an app, it is completely removed from your TV's storage. You will no longer see it on your home screen or in your apps list. The app no longer runs in the background and will not send notifications.

Uninstalling an app does not delete any account information tied to that app. If you reinstall the app later, you can usually log back in with the same username and password you used before. Your viewing history, saved preferences, and login credentials are often stored on the app company's servers, not on your TV.

Removing apps also frees up storage space on your TV, which can help if your TV is running slowly or if you are having trouble installing new apps. Samsung Smart TVs typically have between 4 and 8 gigabytes of usable storage, and deleting unused apps can make a noticeable difference if your TV is nearly full.

Apps you cannot delete from your Samsung TV

Some apps come built into your Samsung TV and cannot be uninstalled. These system apps include the Samsung App Store, Settings, and sometimes Samsung's own apps like Samsung TV Plus or SmartThings. If you press and hold Select on one of these apps and no Delete option appears, it is a system app that Samsung does not allow you to remove.

You can usually hide system apps you do not use by moving them to a folder or to the end of your apps list, even if you cannot delete them. This keeps your home screen clean without removing the app entirely.

If an app you installed yourself will not delete, try restarting your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If the Delete option still does not appear after a restart, the app may have become corrupted — contact Samsung support or the app developer for help.

How to reinstall an app you deleted

To put an app back on your TV after you have deleted it, press Home and navigate to the Samsung App Store (or Apps, depending on your TV model). Search for the app by name or browse by category. Select the app and choose Install. The app will read and install within a few minutes.

Not every app that was once available in the Samsung App Store is still there. Developers sometimes remove apps, and some apps are only available in certain countries or regions. If you cannot find an app you previously used, it may no longer be offered by Samsung or the developer.

If you deleted an app by mistake and want it back when ready, you do not have to wait for a full reinstall — most apps are small enough that installation takes less than two minutes on a standard internet connection.

Troubleshooting when an app will not delete

If the Delete option does not appear when you hold Select, first check whether the app is a system app (see the section above). If it is not a system app, try these steps: restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, press Home and try deleting the app again, or check whether your TV needs a software update by going to Settings > Support > Software Update.

If the app still will not delete after a restart and software update, the app data may be corrupted. Go to Settings > Apps > App Management, find the app, and choose Clear Cache or Clear Data. Then try deleting it again. Clearing data will erase any saved information for that app, but it often fixes deletion problems.

If none of these steps work, contact Samsung support through their website or by phone. Provide your TV model number and a description of what happens when you try to delete the app — whether you see an error message, whether the Delete option is missing, or whether the deletion starts but does not complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does uninstalling an app free up storage space on my Samsung TV?

Yes. Deleting an app removes it from your TV's storage, which frees up space for other apps or content. If your TV is running slowly or you cannot install new apps because storage is full, removing unused apps can help.

Will I lose my login information if I delete an app?

Usually not. Most apps store your login credentials on the app company's servers, not on your TV. When you reinstall the app, you can log back in with the same username and password. Some apps may ask you to log in again, but your account information remains intact.

Can I delete the Samsung App Store or Settings app?

No. These are system apps that Samsung does not allow you to remove. If you do not use them, you can hide them by moving them to a separate folder or to the end of your apps list, but you cannot uninstall them.

What if I accidentally delete an app I need?

You can reinstall it from the Samsung App Store at any time. Press Home, go to the App Store, search for the app by name, and choose Install. The reinstall usually takes a few minutes.

Why does my TV say "Delete" for some apps but not others?

Apps that came with your TV or are required for it to function properly cannot be deleted — the Delete option straightforward does not appear for them. These are system apps. Any app you downloaded yourself should have a Delete option when you hold Select.

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.