How to Remove YouTube From Your Samsung TV

Delete YouTube by Uninstalling the App

The fastest way to remove YouTube from your Samsung TV is to uninstall the app through your TV's app menu. This removes the app entirely and frees up storage space on your device. The steps differ slightly depending on whether your TV runs Tizen (Samsung's operating system) or an older model, but both methods take less than a minute.

On most Samsung TVs made after 2016, press the Home button on your remote to open the main menu. Navigate to Apps and find YouTube in your list of installed applications. Highlight YouTube, press and hold the Select button (the center button on your remote), and choose Delete or Uninstall from the menu that appears. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

If your TV is older or uses a different interface, you may see Settings instead of a dedicated Apps menu. Go to Settings > Apps > YouTube and look for a Delete, Uninstall, or Remove button. The exact wording depends on your model year.

Key Takeaways

You can uninstall YouTube through your TV's Apps menu by highlighting the app, pressing and holding Select, and choosing Delete.
Uninstalling removes the app completely and recovers the storage space it was using on your TV.
Some Samsung TVs have YouTube pre-installed and may not allow full deletion, but you can hide it from your home screen instead.
If you change your mind later, you can reinstall YouTube for free from the Samsung App Store at any time.
Restarting your TV after deletion ensures the change takes effect properly.

Hide YouTube If You Cannot Uninstall It

Older Samsung TV models and some newer ones come with YouTube pre-installed as a system app. These cannot be fully uninstalled, but you can hide them from your home screen so you do not see the icon. This accomplishes the same goal for most people — the app is out of sight and you will not accidentally open it.

Go to Home > Apps, find YouTube, and press and hold Select. Instead of a Delete option, you should see Hide or Remove from Home. Choose that option. The app remains on your TV but no longer appears in your app list or on your home screen.

If you do not see a Hide option, try right-clicking the YouTube icon with your remote's directional pad. Some Samsung models use a context menu instead of a hold-and-select action. The menu should offer a similar hide or remove option.

Clear YouTube Data and Cache

Even after uninstalling YouTube, cached data and login information may remain on your TV. Clearing this data ensures a clean removal and protects your privacy if someone else uses the TV. This step is optional but recommended, especially if you are selling or giving away your TV.

Go to Settings > Apps > YouTube and look for Storage or Manage Storage. You should see options to Clear Cache and Clear Data. Select both. This removes temporary files and any saved login credentials associated with YouTube.

If YouTube no longer appears in your Apps list because you uninstalled it, you can skip this step — uninstalling removes the data automatically. This step is mainly useful if you hid the app instead of deleting it.

Restart Your TV After Deletion

After uninstalling or hiding YouTube, restart your TV to may support the change takes effect properly. A restart clears your TV's memory and refreshes the home screen display.

Press the Home button, go to Settings > General > Restart, and confirm. Your TV will turn off and back on. This usually takes 30 to 60 seconds. Once it restarts, YouTube should no longer appear in your Apps menu or on your home screen.

If you do not see a Restart option in Settings, you can also unplug your TV from the wall for 30 seconds and plug it back in. This performs a hard restart and achieves the same result.

Reinstall YouTube Later If You Change Your Mind

If you decide you want YouTube back on your TV, reinstalling it is free and takes just a few minutes. You do not need to pay anything or sign up for a new account.

Press Home and go to Apps. Look for the Samsung App Store, LG App Store, or Google Play Store depending on your TV model. Search for YouTube, select it, and choose Install. The app will read and install automatically. Once it finishes, you can open YouTube and sign in with your Google account if you want to resume watching your saved videos and subscriptions.

What to Do If YouTube Will Not Delete

If you try to uninstall YouTube and the Delete button is grayed out or missing, your TV likely has YouTube installed as a system app that cannot be removed. This is common on Samsung TVs and does not mean something is wrong with your TV.

Your best option is to hide the app instead, which removes it from your home screen and app list. Follow the steps in the "Hide YouTube If You Cannot Uninstall It" section above. If hiding does not work either, try restarting your TV and attempting the process again. Sometimes a restart clears temporary locks that prevent deletion.

If the problem persists, check your TV's user manual or contact Samsung support with your TV model number. They can tell you whether YouTube is a system app on your specific model and what removal options are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting YouTube affect other apps on my TV?

No. Uninstalling YouTube only removes that single app and does not affect any other apps, settings, or features on your TV. Your other apps will continue to work normally, and your TV's performance may even improve slightly because you have freed up storage space.

Can I delete YouTube from my Samsung TV if I do not have the remote?

You will need the remote to navigate your TV's menu and confirm the deletion. If you have lost your remote, you can purchase a replacement Samsung remote online or at an electronics store. Some newer Samsung TVs support the SmartThings app on your phone, which can act as a remote, but most older models require a physical remote.

Does uninstalling YouTube delete my watch history and subscriptions?

Uninstalling the app from your TV does not delete your YouTube account or your watch history. Your account information is stored on Google's servers, not on your TV. When you reinstall YouTube or sign in on another device, your subscriptions and history will still be there.

What is the difference between hiding and deleting YouTube?

Deleting uninstalls the app completely and removes all its files from your TV, freeing up storage space. Hiding keeps the app on your TV but removes it from your home screen and app list so you cannot see or easily access it. If your TV will not let you delete YouTube, hiding is the next best option.

How much storage space will I free up by deleting YouTube?

YouTube typically uses 50 to 200 megabytes of storage on your TV, depending on how much cached data it accumulated. This is usually not a large amount, but removing it can help if your TV is running low on storage. You will free up more space by clearing the cache and data before uninstalling.

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.