The fastest way to delete an app from your Samsung TV

To remove an app from a Samsung Smart TV, press the Home button on your remote, find the app you want to delete, press and hold the select button (or the center button) on the remote until a menu appears, then choose Delete or Remove. The app disappears from your home screen within seconds. The process is the same whether you're using a 2020 model or a current one — Samsung has kept this method consistent across its TV lineup.

If you cannot find the app on your home screen, it may be in a folder or on a different page. Swipe left or right to check other pages, or look inside any folders you see. Some apps come pre-installed and cannot be deleted, though you can hide them from view.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Home, find the app, hold the select button until a menu appears, then choose Delete or Remove.
  • Pre-installed apps that came with your TV often cannot be deleted, but you can hide them so they do not appear on your home screen.
  • Deleting an app removes it from your TV but does not affect your Samsung account or other devices.
  • If an app will not delete, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and try again.

Step-by-step removal for different remote types

Samsung makes several remote models, and the button you press varies slightly. On the standard Samsung remote with a circular pad in the center, hold down the center button (also called the select or OK button) until the delete menu appears. On the Samsung SmartThings remote, which has a touch pad at the top, tap the app once to select it, then press and hold until the menu shows up.

On older Samsung remotes with a traditional button layout, highlight the app and press the Menu button, then look for a Delete or Remove option in the list that appears. If you are unsure which remote you have, look at the shape: circular pad remotes are newer, button-grid remotes are older. Both work the same way — you select the app and hold until a menu appears.

What happens when you delete an app

Deleting an app removes it completely from your TV's storage. The app no longer appears on your home screen or in your apps list. If you want to use that app again later, you can read it again from the Samsung TV App Store at no cost, and your login information will still be saved if you had created an account within the app.

Deleting an app from your TV does not affect the same app on your phone, tablet, or other Samsung devices. Each device stores its own copy. Your Samsung account and any purchases you made through that app remain tied to your account, so you will not lose access to paid content if you reinstall the app later.

How to hide apps you cannot delete

Some apps come built into Samsung TVs and cannot be removed — these are system apps that Samsung includes for core functionality. Instead of deleting them, you can hide them from your home screen so you do not see them. Press Home, find the app you want to hide, hold the select button until the menu appears, and choose Hide instead of Delete. The app will no longer show on your home screen, but it remains on your TV in the background.

If you change your mind later, you can unhide the app. Go to your TV's Settings menu, select Apps, then look for a Hidden Apps or Manage Apps section. You should see a list of hidden apps with an option to show them again. Select the app and choose Unhide or Show.

Troubleshooting when an app will not delete

If you hold the select button and no menu appears, your TV may need a restart. Unplug the TV from the wall outlet, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears temporary files that sometimes block the delete function. Once the TV restarts, try deleting the app again using the same method.

If the menu appears but the Delete option is grayed out or missing, the app is a system app that Samsung does not allow users to remove. In this case, use the Hide option instead. If you see an error message like "Cannot delete this app," the TV's software may be out of date. Go to Settings, select Support, then choose Software Update to check for and install any available updates. After updating, try deleting the app again.

Freeing up storage space on your Samsung TV

Deleting unused apps is one way to free up storage, but Samsung TVs have limited built-in storage — usually between 4 GB and 16 GB depending on the model. Streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ take up the most space. If your TV is running slowly or apps are crashing, deleting apps you do not use regularly can help.

To see how much storage you are using, go to Settings, select Apps, then choose Storage or Memory. You will see a breakdown of how much space each app is taking. Delete the largest apps you do not need. Keep in mind that even after deleting an app, some leftover files may remain; a TV restart usually clears these out completely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete Netflix, YouTube, or other streaming apps?

Yes, you can delete any app you downloaded from the Samsung TV App Store. These apps are not system apps, so the Delete option will appear when you hold the select button. You can read them again later at no cost if you want to use them again.

Will deleting an app delete my saved passwords and login information?

Deleting the app removes it from your TV, but your account information stays with your Samsung account. When you read the app again, you will usually be able to log back in with the same username and password. Some apps save login details separately, so you may need to enter your password again the first time you open the reinstalled app.

What if I accidentally deleted an app I need?

You can read it again from the Samsung TV App Store. Press Home, select Apps, then search for the app by name. Select it and choose read. The app will install within a few minutes, and you can use it right away.

Do I need to restart my TV after deleting an app?

No, you do not need to restart after deleting an app. The app disappears from your home screen when ready. However, if you are deleting multiple apps or freeing up a lot of storage, restarting your TV afterward can help it run more smoothly.