The quickest way to uninstall an app on 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), and choose Delete from the menu that appears. The app will be removed from your TV within seconds. You do not need to restart the TV or do anything else after that.

This method works on all recent Samsung Smart TVs, including models with Tizen operating system (which is what Samsung has used since around 2015). The exact wording in the menu might say "Remove" instead of "Delete" depending on your TV model year, but the process is identical.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Home, find the app, hold Select, and choose Delete—the app is gone when ready without restarting.
  • Uninstalling an app frees up storage space on your TV, which can help if apps are running slowly or crashing.
  • You can reinstall the same app later from the Samsung App Store at no cost if you change your mind.
  • Built-in Samsung apps (like Settings or SmartThings) cannot be deleted, only hidden or disabled.

Where to find the app you want to remove

Apps on Samsung TVs live in the Apps section of the home screen. Press Home on your remote and look for a row or grid labeled "Apps" or "My Apps." Scroll left or right until you see the app you want to delete. If you have many apps installed, you may need to scroll through multiple pages to find it.

If you cannot find the app on the main apps screen, it may be in a folder. Some Samsung TVs organize apps into categories like "Entertainment" or "Streaming." Open the folder and look inside. Once you locate the app, the deletion process is the same: hold Select and choose Delete.

What happens to your data when you uninstall

When you delete an app, any data stored inside that app—such as login information, watch history, or saved preferences—is also removed. For example, if you uninstall Netflix and later reinstall it, you will need to log in again with your username and password.

This is why some people prefer to straightforward hide an app instead of deleting it, especially if they use it occasionally. However, hiding does not free up storage space the way deletion does. If your TV is running slowly or you are getting storage warnings, uninstalling unused apps is the better choice.

How to reinstall an app you deleted

To get an app back, press Home, navigate to Apps, and look for an icon labeled App Store or Samsung App Store. Open it and search for the app by name. Select it and choose Install. The app will read and install automatically, usually within a minute or two depending on your internet speed.

You do not pay anything to reinstall an app you previously deleted. The Samsung App Store is free, and all apps available there are either free or the same price they were before. Your TV will remember your internet connection and other settings, so installation is faster the second time around.

Apps you cannot delete from your Samsung TV

Samsung TVs come with built-in system apps that cannot be uninstalled, such as Settings, SmartThings, Samsung Health, and the TV's main menu system. If you try to hold Select on one of these apps, the Delete option will not appear. These apps are part of the TV's core operating system and must stay installed for the TV to function.

If you do not want to see these apps on your home screen, you can hide them instead. Press and hold Select on the app and choose Hide (if that option is available on your model). The app will disappear from your apps list but will still be installed on the TV and will continue to receive updates.

Freeing up storage space on your Samsung TV

Samsung TVs have limited built-in storage—usually between 4 and 16 gigabytes depending on the model. If you install many apps, you may eventually run out of space, which can cause apps to crash or the TV to slow down. Uninstalling apps you no longer use is the most direct way to recover that space.

To see how much storage you have left, go to Settings > Support > Device Care or Storage (the exact path varies by model year). This screen will show you how much space is used and how much is free. If you are below 1 gigabyte of free space, consider deleting apps you have not used in the past month.

Troubleshooting if Delete does not appear

If you press and hold Select on an app and the Delete option does not show up, the app is likely a system app that Samsung has locked from deletion. Try a different app to confirm your remote is working correctly. If the Select button is not responding, try replacing the batteries in your remote or using the Samsung SmartThings app on your phone as a remote control instead.

If Delete appears for some apps but not others, you are probably trying to delete a built-in app. These cannot be removed, but you can hide them as described above. If you are certain an app should be deletable and the option still does not appear, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and trying again.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Deleting an app removes all of its files from your TV's storage, which frees up space when ready. If your TV has been running slowly or showing storage warnings, uninstalling unused apps is one of the fastest ways to improve performance.

Can I hide an app instead of deleting it?

Yes, most Samsung TVs allow you to hide apps by pressing and holding Select and choosing Hide. The app stays installed and will still receive updates, but it will not appear on your apps screen. Hiding does not free up storage space, so it is best for apps you use occasionally.

What if I accidentally delete an app I need?

You can reinstall it at no cost from the Samsung App Store. Open the App Store, search for the app by name, and select Install. Your login information will be gone, so you will need to sign in again, but the app itself is free to reinstall.

Why can't I delete some apps on my Samsung TV?

Built-in system apps like Settings and SmartThings are locked by Samsung and cannot be deleted because the TV needs them to operate. You can hide these apps from your home screen if you do not want to see them, but they will remain installed.

How do I know if my TV is running out of storage?

Go to Settings > Support > Device Care or Storage to see how much space is used and available. If you have less than 1 gigabyte free, uninstall apps you are not using regularly. Your TV may also display a storage warning notification on the home screen.