How to Uninstall an App on Your Samsung Smart TV

The fastest way to remove an app from your Samsung TV

To uninstall an app on a Samsung Smart TV, press the Home button on your remote, find the app you want to remove, press and hold the select button (the center circle on your remote), and choose "Delete" or "Uninstall" from the menu that appears. The app will be removed from your TV within seconds. The exact wording and menu location depends on your TV model and the year it was made, but this method works on nearly all Samsung Smart TVs from the last five years.

If the app does not respond to the hold-and-delete method, you can also go through your TV's Settings menu to uninstall it. This backup route takes a few more steps but works when the quick method fails.

Key Takeaways

Press Home on your remote, find the app, hold down the select button, and choose Delete from the menu that appears.
Built-in Samsung apps like SmartThings or Samsung TV Plus usually cannot be uninstalled, only hidden or disabled.
If the hold-and-delete method does not work, go to Settings > Apps > App Management to uninstall from there instead.
Uninstalling an app frees up storage space on your TV and removes it from your home screen permanently.

Step-by-step uninstall using your remote

Start by pressing the Home button on your Samsung remote. This takes you to your TV's main home screen where all your apps are displayed as tiles or in a grid.

Navigate to the app you want to remove using the arrow buttons on your remote. Highlight it so it is selected (you will see it highlighted or outlined on screen). Do not press select yet — just move to it and stop.

Press and hold the select button (the center circle button on your remote) for two to three seconds. A small menu will pop up with options. Look for "Delete," "Uninstall," or "Remove" — the exact word varies by TV model. Press select on that option. The app will disappear from your home screen when ready.

Uninstalling through the Settings menu

If holding the select button does not bring up a delete menu, your TV model may require you to uninstall through Settings instead. Press Home, then navigate to and select Settings (usually a gear icon in the top right corner of the home screen).

Go to Apps or Applications (the exact name depends on your TV model year). You should see a list of all installed apps. Find the one you want to remove and select it. Look for an "Uninstall" or "Remove" button on the app's information page and press it. Confirm the removal when prompted.

This method also works if you want to see exactly how much storage space an app is using before you decide to remove it. The app information page usually shows the storage size.

Apps you cannot uninstall (and what to do instead)

Samsung Smart TVs come with built-in apps like SmartThings, Samsung TV Plus, and the Samsung Health app. These cannot be uninstalled because they are part of the TV's core system. If you try to delete them, the delete option will not appear in the menu.

Instead, you can hide these apps from your home screen. Press Home, highlight the app you want to hide, hold select, and choose "Hide" instead of Delete. The app will no longer show on your home screen, though it remains installed on your TV. If you ever want to use it again, go to Settings > Apps > Show Hidden Apps to unhide it.

You can also disable some built-in apps through Settings > Apps > App Management > System Apps, though this is less common on Samsung TVs than on phones.

Freeing up storage space after uninstalling

Uninstalling apps removes them from your TV's internal storage, which can help if your TV is running slowly or you are having trouble downloading new apps. However, most Samsung Smart TVs have enough built-in storage that a few apps will not cause problems.

If you uninstall many apps and still have storage issues, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This clears temporary files and cache that apps leave behind, which often frees up more space than uninstalling does.

You can check how much storage your TV is using by going to Settings > Support > About This TV (or Device Information on older models). Look for "Storage" or "Memory" to see how much space is available.

What happens when you uninstall an app

When you uninstall an app, it is completely removed from your TV. The app no longer appears on your home screen, and you cannot use it until you read it again from the Samsung App Store.

If the app had a login (like Netflix or Hulu), you will need to log in again after reinstalling it. Your viewing history and preferences within that app are usually erased when you uninstall, though some apps save this information to your account rather than your TV.

Uninstalling does not affect any other apps or settings on your TV. Your other apps, channels, and picture settings remain exactly as they were.

Reinstalling an app you removed

To get an app back after uninstalling it, press Home and look for an "Apps" or "App Store" tile on your home screen (usually labeled Samsung App Store or LG App Store depending on your TV brand). Select it and search for the app by name. Select it and choose "read" or "Install." The app will be added back to your home screen within a minute or two.

If you cannot find the app in the store, it may not be available for your specific TV model. Some apps require a certain TV size, resolution, or software version to run. Check the app's description in the store to see what requirements it lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I uninstall multiple apps at once?

No, Samsung Smart TVs require you to uninstall apps one at a time. There is no bulk delete option. If you want to remove several apps, you will need to repeat the hold-and-delete process for each one.

Will uninstalling an app delete my saved data or logins?

Yes, uninstalling removes the app and any data stored on your TV. However, if the app saves your login information to your account (like Netflix or YouTube), you will be able to log back in when ready after reinstalling it without re-entering your password.

What if the delete option does not appear when I hold the select button?

This usually means the app is a built-in system app that cannot be deleted. Try the Settings > Apps > App Management route instead. If that also shows no uninstall option, the app is part of your TV's core system and can only be hidden, not removed.

Does uninstalling apps make my Samsung TV faster?

Uninstalling apps frees up storage space, which can help slightly if your TV is very full. However, most speed issues on Samsung TVs come from temporary cache files, not installed apps. Restarting your TV usually makes a bigger difference than uninstalling.

Can I uninstall the Samsung App Store itself?

No, the Samsung App Store is a built-in system app and cannot be uninstalled. You can hide it from your home screen if you prefer not to see it.

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.