The fastest way to remove an app from your Fire Stick

To delete an app on your Fire Stick, go to Your Apps & Channels in the home menu, find the app you want to remove, press the menu button (three horizontal lines) on your remote, and select Remove. The app disappears from your device when ready. You can reinstall it later from the Amazon Appstore at no cost if you change your mind.

Deleting apps frees up storage space on your Fire Stick, which can help if your device is running slowly or if you have downloaded many apps over time. Fire Sticks have limited built-in storage — typically between 8 GB and 16 GB depending on the model — so removing apps you no longer use is a practical way to keep your device running smoothly.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Your Apps & Channels from the home screen, highlight the app you want to delete, and press the menu button on your remote to find the remove option.
  • Deleting an app takes a few seconds and frees up storage space on your Fire Stick without affecting your Amazon account or purchase history.
  • You can reinstall any app you delete later by searching for it in the Amazon Appstore, and you will not be charged again for apps you previously purchased.
  • Pre-installed Amazon apps like Alexa, Prime Video, and Amazon Music cannot be deleted, though you can hide them from your home screen if you prefer.

Step-by-step instructions for removing an app

Start from your Fire Stick home screen. Use your remote to navigate to Your Apps & Channels, which appears in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Highlight it and press the select button (the center circle on your remote).

Once you are in Your Apps & Channels, you will see a list of all the apps installed on your device. Scroll through the list until you find the app you want to delete. Highlight it by moving your remote cursor over the app icon or name.

With the app highlighted, press the menu button on your remote — this is the button with three horizontal lines, usually located near the top of the remote. A small menu will pop up with several options. Select Remove or Delete (the exact wording depends on your Fire Stick model). Confirm the action if prompted, and the app will be deleted from your device within seconds.

What happens when you delete an app

Deleting an app removes it from your Fire Stick's storage but does not erase your account information or purchase history. If you paid for an app through the Amazon Appstore, you own a license to that app. You can reinstall it later without paying again — Amazon remembers your purchase.

Your viewing history, saved passwords, and login information for streaming services are stored separately from the apps themselves. Removing an app does not affect your Netflix account, your Prime Video watch list, or any other account data. The app straightforward stops taking up space on your device.

If you delete an app by mistake, you can read it again when ready from the Amazon Appstore. Search for the app by name, select it, and choose read or Install. The read usually takes less than a minute depending on the app size and your internet speed.

Apps you cannot delete from your Fire Stick

Amazon pre-installs certain apps on every Fire Stick, and these cannot be removed. These include Alexa, Prime Video, Amazon Music, Amazon Photos, Amazon Silk (the web browser), and the Amazon Appstore itself. These apps are core to how the Fire Stick operates, so Amazon does not allow deletion.

If you do not use one of these pre-installed apps, you have two options. You can hide it from your home screen by going to Your Apps & Channels, highlighting the app, pressing the menu button, and selecting Hide. The app stays on your device but no longer appears in your home menu. Alternatively, you can straightforward ignore it and focus on the apps you do use.

Freeing up storage space on your Fire Stick

Fire Sticks typically have between 8 GB and 16 GB of total storage, but not all of that space is available for apps. The operating system and pre-installed apps take up roughly 3 to 5 GB, leaving you with 3 to 11 GB for apps you read. If your Fire Stick is running slowly or refusing to read new apps, storage is usually the problem.

Check how much storage you have left by going to Settings on your home screen, selecting Device, and then Storage. You will see how much space is used and how much is free. If you are below 1 GB of free space, your Fire Stick may struggle. Delete apps you no longer use, starting with large ones like games or video editing tools.

Streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ typically use 50 MB to 200 MB each, while games can use 500 MB to 2 GB or more. If you have several games installed, removing even one or two can free up significant space and improve your device's speed.

Reinstalling an app you deleted

To reinstall an app, press the home button on your remote to return to the main screen. Navigate to Search at the top of the menu and select it. Type the name of the app you want to reinstall using the on-screen keyboard or by speaking into your remote if it has a microphone.

When the app appears in the search results, select it to open the app's store page. You will see a read or Install button. Select it, and the app will begin downloading to your Fire Stick. Most apps read and install within one to three minutes. Once the read is complete, the button will change to Open, and you can start using the app when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete apps that came pre-installed on my Fire Stick?

No, Amazon's core apps like Prime Video, Alexa, and Amazon Music cannot be deleted. You can hide them from your home screen instead by highlighting the app, pressing the menu button, and selecting Hide. They will remain on your device but will not appear in your main menu.

Will deleting an app erase my login information or saved data?

Deleting an app removes the app itself but not your account data. When you reinstall the app later, you will usually be able to log back in with your existing username and password. Some apps store data in the cloud, so your saved progress or preferences may still be there.

How much storage space will I free up by deleting an app?

It depends on the app. Streaming apps like Netflix use 50 to 200 MB, while games can use 500 MB to 2 GB or more. Check your storage in Settings > Device > Storage before and after deleting to see the exact amount freed.

What if I accidentally delete an app I need?

You can reinstall it when ready from the Amazon Appstore. Search for the app by name, select it, and choose read. If you paid for the app before, you will not be charged again — Amazon keeps a record of your purchases.

Does deleting apps make my Fire Stick faster?

Yes, if your device is running low on storage space. When your Fire Stick has less than 1 GB free, it slows down noticeably. Deleting unused apps frees up space and can improve performance. However, if you have plenty of free space, deleting apps will not make a noticeable difference in speed.