Deleting apps from Apple TV takes less than a minute once you know where to look
To delete an app from your Apple TV, highlight it on the home screen, press and hold the touchpad or remote button until a menu appears, then select "Remove" or the trash icon. The app disappears when ready. You can reinstall it later from the App Store at no cost if you change your mind.
The process works the same way on all Apple TV models running tvOS 11 or later. You do not need to go into settings or use your iPhone — everything happens right on your TV screen.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the touchpad or select button on your remote while an app is highlighted to bring up the delete menu.
- Deleting an app removes it from your home screen but does not erase your login information or saved data permanently.
- You can reinstall any app you delete by going to the App Store and searching for it by name.
- Built-in apps like TV, Music, and Podcasts cannot be deleted, though you can hide them from your home screen.
Step-by-step: Deleting an app from the home screen
Start on your Apple TV home screen. Use your remote to highlight the app you want to remove — the app will show a highlight or glow around it when selected.
Press and hold the touchpad (on Siri Remote) or press and hold the select button (on older remotes) for about two to three seconds. A menu will pop up with options. Look for "Remove" or a trash can icon and select it. The app will disappear from your home screen within a second or two.
If you accidentally delete an app, you have not lost it permanently. Go to the App Store, search for the app by name, and reinstall it. Any paid apps you bought will not charge you again.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
Deleting an app from your home screen does not automatically erase your login information or saved data. Many apps store this information in a separate location on your Apple TV. When you reinstall the app, you may be able to log back in without re-entering your password.
However, some apps do clear their data when uninstalled, and others keep it. If you want to make sure all traces of an app are removed — including login details and viewing history — you can clear the app's data through Settings. Go to Settings > Apps, select the app, and choose "Clear" if that option appears.
If you are selling or giving away your Apple TV, you should reset the entire device to factory settings rather than just deleting individual apps. This removes all personal data, logins, and settings.
Hiding apps instead of deleting them
If you want an app off your home screen but do not want to delete it, you can hide it instead. This keeps the app on your Apple TV and makes it faster to reinstall later, since it does not have to read again.
To hide an app, highlight it and press and hold the touchpad or select button just like you would to delete it. Instead of selecting "Remove," look for "Hide" or an eye icon with a slash through it. The app will disappear from your home screen but remains installed on your device.
You can see all your hidden apps by going to Settings > Apps and scrolling to the bottom. From there, you can unhide any app by selecting it and choosing "Show."
Apps you cannot delete
Apple TV comes with built-in apps that cannot be removed: TV, Music, Podcasts, Fitness, and a few others depending on your tvOS version. These are core to how Apple TV works, so the delete option will not appear for them.
If you do not use these apps, hide them instead. Hiding them removes them from your home screen and keeps your interface clean without affecting the system. You can unhide them anytime from Settings > Apps if you change your mind.
Troubleshooting: App will not delete
If you press and hold but no menu appears, make sure you are holding long enough — aim for three to four seconds. Some remotes are slower to respond than others. If the menu appears but "Remove" is grayed out or missing, the app is likely a built-in app that cannot be deleted. Try hiding it instead.
If your remote is not responding at all, try restarting your Apple TV. Go to Settings > System > Restart. Wait for it to boot back up, then try deleting the app again. If the problem continues, your remote may need new batteries or to be re-paired with your Apple TV.
In rare cases, an app may fail to delete if your Apple TV is running out of storage space. Check Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Storage to see how much space is available. If you are very low on storage, delete other apps or clear cached data before trying again.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
To get an app back, open the App Store on your Apple TV home screen. Use the search function to find the app by name. Select it and choose "Get" or the read icon. The app will read and install automatically.
If you bought the app before, you will not be charged again — the App Store recognizes your purchase history. Free apps also reinstall at no cost. Once the read finishes, the app will appear on your home screen or in your app library, ready to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete multiple apps at once?
No, Apple TV does not have a multi-select feature for deleting apps. You must delete them one at a time by highlighting each app and pressing and holding. If you want to clean up your home screen quickly, consider hiding apps instead of deleting them — hiding is just as fast and easier to undo.
Will deleting an app delete my saved games or watch history?
Not always. Some apps store this data separately and will restore it when you reinstall. Others delete everything when uninstalled. If you want to be safe, check the app's settings before deleting to see if there is an option to back up or export your data. For streaming apps like Netflix or Disney+, your watch history is tied to your account, not your device, so it will be there when you log back in.
What if I delete an app by accident?
You can reinstall it when ready from the App Store. Search for the app by name, select it, and choose "Get." If you paid for the app, you will not be charged again. The entire process takes about one to two minutes depending on your internet speed.
Can I delete the TV app or other built-in apps?
No, built-in apps like TV, Music, Podcasts, and Fitness cannot be deleted. The delete option will not appear when you press and hold them. You can hide them from your home screen instead, which removes them from view without affecting your system.
Does deleting an app free up storage space?
Yes, deleting an app removes its files from your Apple TV and frees up storage space. If your Apple TV is running slowly or you are getting storage warnings, deleting unused apps can help. Check Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Storage to see how much space each app is using before you delete it.