The fastest way to remove an app from your Fire Stick
To delete an app from your Fire Stick, go to Your Apps & Channels on the home screen, find the app you want to remove, press and hold the select button on your remote, and choose Remove from the menu that appears. The app disappears when ready—you are not uninstalling it from a phone, so there is no confirmation screen or waiting time.
This method works for almost every app you have installed. The only apps you cannot remove this way are the ones Amazon pre-installed on your device, like Alexa, Settings, and the Appstore itself. If you want those off your home screen, you can hide them instead.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the select button (the center circle on your remote) while an app is highlighted to open the removal menu.
- Deleted apps can be reinstalled later from the Appstore at no cost if you change your mind.
- Amazon's built-in apps like Alexa and Settings cannot be deleted, but you can hide them from your home screen.
- Removing apps does not free up much storage on most Fire Sticks, but it does clean up your menu and remove unused subscriptions.
Step-by-step: Deleting an app from the home screen
Start from your Fire Stick home screen. Use the remote to navigate to the app you want to delete. Highlight it so it is selected (the app tile will appear larger or have a border around it).
Press and hold the select button on your remote—this is the round button in the center of the directional pad. Hold it for about two seconds. A small menu will pop up with options including Remove, Move, and sometimes Uninstall (depending on your Fire Stick model and when it was made).
Use the down arrow on your remote to highlight Remove, then press the select button again. The app is now gone from your home screen and your device. The whole process takes about 10 seconds.
Deleting apps from Your Apps & Channels instead
If you prefer not to hunt through your home screen, you can delete apps from a central list. Go to the home screen, scroll left to the menu, and select Your Apps & Channels. This shows every app you have installed in one place, organized by category or by the order you installed them.
Scroll to the app you want to remove, highlight it, and press and hold the select button. The same menu appears. Choose Remove. This method is faster if you have many apps and want to delete several at once, because you do not have to navigate back to the home screen between each one.
Some Fire Stick models also show a small trash icon or an X button next to each app in this view. If you see one, you can tap it directly instead of using the press-and-hold method. Check your remote's instructions if you are not sure which button is select.
What happens to your data when you delete an app
When you delete an app from your Fire Stick, the app itself is removed, but any account information you saved inside it usually stays on your device. For example, if you delete Netflix, your login credentials may remain stored. When you reinstall Netflix later, you often do not have to sign in again.
Some apps, like games, may store save files separately. Deleting the app does not always delete your progress. However, this varies by app—some games do erase your saves when you remove them. If you are worried about losing progress in a game, take a screenshot of your save file or write down any important information before you delete.
Subscriptions tied to apps (like a paid streaming service) are not cancelled when you delete the app. You will still be charged for them. To stop a subscription, you need to cancel it through your Amazon account settings or the service's own website, not just by deleting the app.
How to hide apps instead of deleting them
If you want an app off your home screen but might use it later, you can hide it instead of removing it. Press and hold the select button on the app and choose Move. This lets you move the app to a different row or section of your home screen, pushing it out of sight.
Alternatively, some Fire Stick models let you hide apps entirely. In Settings, go to Display & Sounds or Home Screen, then look for an option called Customize Home Screen or Manage Channels. From there, you can toggle apps on and off without deleting them. They stay on your device and can be unhidden anytime.
This is useful for apps you do not use often but do not want to lose. Hiding is also the only option for Amazon's built-in apps, since they cannot be deleted.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
If you delete an app and later decide you want it back, go to the Appstore on your Fire Stick home screen. Search for the app by name using the search function (press the microphone button on your remote and say the app name, or use the on-screen keyboard). Select the app and choose read or Install. The app reinstalls in a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on its size and your internet speed.
You are not charged again for apps you have already installed, even if you delete and reinstall them multiple times. Your purchase history is tied to your Amazon account, not to the device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting apps free up storage space on my Fire Stick?
Deleting apps does remove some storage, but the amount is usually small unless you delete very large apps like games. Most Fire Sticks have enough storage that you will not notice a difference unless you have dozens of apps installed. If your Fire Stick is running slowly, deleting unused apps may help a little, but restarting the device is often more effective.
Can I delete the Amazon Appstore or Alexa?
No. Amazon's built-in apps, including the Appstore, Alexa, Settings, and Home, cannot be deleted. You can hide them from your home screen using the customize home screen option in Settings, but they will remain on your device. This is by design—Amazon keeps these apps so your Fire Stick stays functional.
What if the Remove option does not appear when I press and hold?
Make sure you are pressing the select button (the center circle on the remote), not another button. Hold it for at least two seconds. If the menu still does not appear, try restarting your Fire Stick by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If the problem continues, the app may be one of Amazon's built-in apps, which cannot be deleted.
Will deleting an app cancel my subscription to that service?
No. Deleting the app does not cancel any subscriptions. You will continue to be charged for services like Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+ even after you delete their apps. To stop the charges, you must cancel the subscription through your Amazon account or the service's website directly.
Can I delete multiple apps at once?
You have to delete apps one at a time—there is no bulk delete option. However, using Your Apps & Channels is faster than deleting from the home screen if you want to remove several apps, because you do not have to navigate back between each deletion.