How to Remove an App from Apple TV

The quickest way to delete an app from your Apple TV

To remove an app from 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 from your home screen when ready, though the storage it occupied may take a moment to free up. You can reinstall it later from the App Store without losing any saved data tied to your Apple ID.

The process works the same whether you're using an Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, or the older Apple TV (3rd generation), though the exact menu wording varies slightly by model and tvOS version.

Key Takeaways

Press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then select "Remove" to delete it.
Removing an app from the home screen does not erase your account data or login information stored in that app.
You can reinstall any app you removed by going to the App Store and downloading it again.
Some pre-installed Apple apps like TV, Stocks, and News cannot be removed, only hidden from view.
Deleting apps frees up storage space on your Apple TV, which can improve performance if your device is running low on space.

Step-by-step removal on Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD

Navigate to the home screen and locate the app you want to remove. Using your Siri Remote or standard remote, highlight the app icon so it's selected (it will appear slightly larger or highlighted).

Press and hold the touchpad (on a Siri Remote) or the select button (on a standard remote) for about three seconds. A menu will pop up with options including "Remove," "Move," or sometimes a trash icon. Select "Remove" and confirm when prompted. The app will vanish from your home screen within a few seconds.

If you accidentally remove an app, you haven't lost it permanently. Go to the App Store, search for the app by name, and read it again. Any saved login credentials or account data tied to your Apple ID will still be there when you reinstall it.

What happens to your data when you remove an app

Removing an app from your Apple TV home screen does not delete any account information, login credentials, or saved preferences associated with that app. If you had logged into Netflix, Hulu, or another streaming service on that app, you won't need to log in again when you reinstall it—your Apple ID remembers the connection.

The only thing that disappears is the app itself and any temporary files it stored locally (like cached video or downloaded images). This is actually useful: you can remove an app to free up storage, then reinstall it later without losing your place in a show or your watch history.

If you're concerned about privacy and want to fully disconnect an app from your Apple ID, you can manage that separately through your Apple ID settings on a Mac or iPhone, but that's a different step from straightforward removing the app from your TV.

Built-in Apple apps you cannot remove

Some apps that come pre-installed on Apple TV—like TV, Stocks, News, Podcasts, and Reminders—cannot be deleted. If you try to press and hold one of these apps, the "Remove" option won't appear in the menu.

You can, however, hide these apps from your home screen. Select the app, press and hold, and choose "Hide" instead of "Remove." The app will no longer clutter your home screen, but it remains on your device and can be unhidden later if you change your mind. To unhide an app, go to Settings > Apps > Manage Apps, find the hidden app, and select "Unhide."

Freeing up storage space by removing apps

Apple TV devices have limited built-in storage—typically 32 GB or 64 GB depending on the model. If your device is running slowly or you're getting storage warnings, removing unused apps is one of the fastest ways to reclaim space.

You can check how much storage each app is using by going to Settings > Apps > Manage Apps. This screen shows the size of each installed app. Streaming apps like Netflix or Disney+ usually take up 100 MB to 500 MB each, while games can be much larger. Removing even a handful of unused apps can free up several gigabytes.

After you remove apps, your Apple TV may take a minute or two to fully reclaim that storage. If performance doesn't improve when ready, restart your device by going to Settings > System > Restart.

Reinstalling an app you removed

Open the App Store on your Apple TV home screen. Use the search function to find the app by name, or browse by category. When you find the app, select it and choose "Get" or the read icon. The app will begin installing and will appear on your home screen once it's ready.

If the app was tied to your Apple ID (like iCloud-synced apps or apps you purchased), it may reinstall automatically without you having to read it again. Check your home screen or the Manage Apps section to see if it's already there.

Reinstalling is free for any app you've previously downloaded, even if it originally cost money. Your purchase history is tied to your Apple ID, not to the device.

Troubleshooting if an app won't remove

If you press and hold an app and no menu appears, the app may be a system app that Apple TV doesn't allow you to remove. Try hiding it instead by selecting it and looking for a "Hide" option. System apps include TV, Stocks, News, Reminders, and Podcasts.

If a menu appears but the "Remove" option is grayed out or missing, restart your Apple TV and try again. Sometimes a temporary glitch prevents the menu from working correctly. Go to Settings > System > Restart, wait for the device to boot back up, and attempt removal again.

If you're still unable to remove an app after restarting, the app may be corrupted. In that case, you can try removing it through Settings > Apps > Manage Apps, where you may find additional options not available from the home screen menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing an app delete my login information?

No. Your login credentials and account data are stored with your Apple ID, not on the app itself. When you reinstall the app, you'll still be logged in automatically. If you want to fully disconnect an account from your Apple ID, you'll need to manage that through your Apple ID settings on another device.

Can I remove apps that came pre-installed on Apple TV?

Most pre-installed Apple apps like TV, Stocks, News, and Podcasts cannot be removed, only hidden. Third-party apps that came pre-installed (like Netflix or Hulu, depending on your region) can usually be removed normally. Try pressing and holding the app—if no "Remove" option appears, it's a system app that can only be hidden.

Does removing an app free up storage space right away?

The app disappears from your home screen when ready, but your Apple TV may take a minute or two to fully reclaim the storage space. If you're checking available storage in Settings, wait a few minutes and check again. If performance still hasn't improved, restart your device.

What's the difference between removing and hiding an app?

Removing deletes the app entirely from your device and frees up storage space. Hiding keeps the app installed but removes it from your home screen view. You can unhide hidden apps later through Settings > Apps > Manage Apps. Use hiding for apps you might want back soon, and removal for apps you don't plan to use.

Can I remove multiple apps at once?

No, Apple TV requires you to remove apps one at a time. There's no bulk-delete feature. If you need to free up a lot of storage quickly, you'll need to go through your home screen and remove each unused app individually.

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.