How to Remove Apps From Your Samsung TV

The quickest way to delete an app from your Samsung TV

To remove an app from a 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), then choose Delete or Remove from the menu that appears. The app disappears from your home screen when ready, though the TV keeps a record you can restore later if you change your mind.

The exact menu wording and button names vary slightly depending on your TV model and the year it was made, but the press-and-hold method works on all recent Samsung TVs. If your remote does not have a visible Select button, the center circle of the directional pad serves the same purpose.

Key Takeaways

Press Home, find the app, hold Select (the center button), and choose Delete from the menu.
Deleting an app removes it from your home screen but does not erase it completely from the TV's storage.
You can restore a deleted app by searching for it in the app store and reinstalling it at no cost.
Some pre-installed Samsung apps cannot be deleted, only hidden or disabled through Settings.
If the menu does not appear when you hold Select, try pressing the Options or Menu button instead.

Step-by-step deletion for the most common Samsung TV models

On Samsung TVs made from 2019 onward, the process is nearly identical across all models. Press the Home button on your remote to open the home screen. Use the arrow buttons to highlight the app you want to remove. Press and hold the Select button (the center circle) for two to three seconds until a small menu appears below or beside the app icon.

From that menu, select Delete, Remove, or Uninstall — the wording depends on your model. Press Select to confirm. The app vanishes from your home screen within seconds. If you see a warning that says the app is pre-installed and cannot be removed, you can only hide it; scroll down to find a Hide or Disable option instead.

On older Samsung TVs (2018 and earlier), the same method usually works, but some models require you to press the Menu or Options button instead of holding Select. If nothing happens when you hold Select, try pressing Menu, finding an option labeled Remove or Delete, and selecting the app from a list.

What happens to your data and settings when you delete an app

Deleting an app from your Samsung TV removes it from the home screen and frees up a small amount of storage space. However, the TV does not automatically erase your login information, watch history, or saved preferences for that app. If you reinstall the app later, you may find your account is still logged in or your settings are still there.

If you want to completely clear an app's data before deleting it, go to Settings, select Apps, find the app in the list, and choose Clear Data or Clear Cache. Then delete the app from the home screen. This step is optional and matters most if you are selling the TV or sharing it with someone else.

How to restore an app you deleted by mistake

If you delete an app and want it back, you do not need to buy it again. Open the app store on your Samsung TV (usually called Samsung TV Plus, Galaxy Store, or just Apps depending on your model). Search for the app by name. Select it and choose Install or read. The app reappears on your home screen within a few minutes.

If you cannot find the app in the store, it may have been removed by the developer or may not be available in your region. Try searching by the developer's name instead, or check whether a newer version of the app exists under a different name.

Built-in Samsung apps you cannot delete

Samsung pre-installs certain apps on every TV — typically Settings, Samsung TV Plus, SmartThings, and a few others — and these cannot be deleted through the normal method. When you try to delete them, you will see a message saying the app is pre-installed or system-critical.

You can hide these apps from your home screen instead. Press and hold Select on the app, then choose Hide, Disable, or Remove from Home Screen (wording varies by model). The app stays on your TV but no longer appears on the home screen. If you need it later, you can unhide it by going to Settings, selecting Apps, finding the hidden app, and choosing Unhide or Enable.

Freeing up storage space by removing apps you do not use

Samsung TVs have limited built-in storage, usually between 4 and 16 gigabytes depending on the model. Apps take up space, and over time a TV loaded with unused apps can slow down or run out of room for system updates. Deleting apps you no longer watch is one of the fastest ways to recover space.

To see how much space each app uses, go to Settings, select Apps, and look for a Storage or Size column. Apps that stream video (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+) typically use very little storage because they stream rather than read. Apps that read content, like some games or offline video services, use much more. Delete the largest unused apps first if you are running low on space.

Troubleshooting when the delete option does not appear

If you press and hold Select and no menu appears, try these steps in order. First, make sure you are holding Select for at least two seconds — a quick press will not trigger the menu. Second, try pressing the Menu or Options button on your remote instead; some older models use this button rather than a long press. Third, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

If the menu still does not appear, the app may be a system app that cannot be deleted. Try hiding it instead by going to Settings, Apps, selecting the app, and choosing Hide or Disable. If you are still stuck, check your TV's model number (usually on a sticker on the back) and search the Samsung support website for your specific model's instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, deleting an app removes it from your TV's storage and frees up space. The amount varies — streaming apps like Netflix use very little space, while games or offline video apps can use hundreds of megabytes. If your TV is running slowly or running out of room for updates, deleting unused apps helps.

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

Yes, you can delete any third-party app, including Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and others. If you delete one by mistake, you can reinstall it from the app store at no cost. Your login information may still be saved on the TV, so you may not need to sign in again.

What is the difference between deleting and hiding an app?

Deleting removes the app from your home screen and frees up storage space. Hiding removes it from the home screen but keeps it on your TV — you can unhide it later without reinstalling. System apps like Settings cannot be deleted, only hidden.

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

Samsung pre-installs certain apps that are considered essential to the TV's operation, such as Settings and SmartThings. These cannot be deleted for safety reasons. You can hide them from your home screen instead so they do not clutter your view.

Will deleting an app erase my saved passwords and watch history?

Deleting the app from your home screen does not automatically erase your login data or watch history. If you want to completely clear this information before deleting, go to Settings, Apps, select the app, and choose Clear Data. Then delete the app normally.

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.