Delete an app by going to the home screen, finding the app you want to remove, and selecting the delete option from its menu
Most Samsung Smart TVs let you remove apps the same way you'd remove them from a phone. You find the app on your home screen, open a menu, and choose delete. The exact steps depend on which Samsung TV model you have and which year it was made, but the process is straightforward once you know where to look.
Deleting an app frees up storage space on your TV and cleans up your home screen so you see only the apps you actually use. You can always reinstall the app later from the Samsung App Store if you change your mind.
Key Takeaways
- Most Samsung TVs let you delete apps by highlighting the app, pressing the menu button on your remote, and selecting delete or remove.
- Some Samsung TVs require you to hold down the select button on the remote for a few seconds to bring up the delete option.
- Pre-installed apps that came with your TV often cannot be deleted, only hidden or disabled.
- Deleting an app does not affect your account or any shows you've watched — you can reinstall it anytime.
Delete an app on Samsung Tizen TVs (most models from 2015 onward)
If your Samsung TV runs Tizen (the operating system most Samsung Smart TVs use), follow these steps. First, press the Home button on your remote to go to the home screen. Look for the app you want to delete.
Highlight the app by moving the cursor to it with your remote. Once it's highlighted, press and hold the Select button (the center button) on your remote for about two to three seconds. A menu should pop up with options including Delete or Remove. Select Delete. The app will disappear from your home screen immediately.
If holding Select doesn't work, try pressing the Menu or Tools button on your remote while the app is highlighted. Look for a Delete, Remove, or Uninstall option in that menu. Different remote models label this button differently, but it's usually near the top of the remote.
Delete an app on Samsung Roku TVs
Some Samsung TVs run Roku instead of Tizen. To delete an app on a Roku-based Samsung TV, go to the home screen and find the app. Highlight it with your remote.
Press the Options button on your Roku remote (it looks like a star or has an asterisk symbol). A menu will appear. Select Remove Channel or Delete. The app will be removed from your home screen. On Roku, you can also go to Settings, then Apps, then Manage Installed Apps to see all your apps and delete them from there.
What happens to pre-installed apps
Samsung TVs come with some built-in apps like Samsung TV Plus, SmartThings, or the Samsung App Store itself. These pre-installed apps usually cannot be fully deleted — your TV won't let you remove them because the system needs them to function properly.
Instead of deleting them, you can hide them from your home screen. Highlight the app, press and hold Select, and look for an option that says Hide, Disable, or Remove from Home. This takes the app off your home screen so you don't see it, but it stays on your TV in the background. If you ever want to see it again, you can unhide it through your TV's settings.
Free up storage space without deleting apps
If you're running low on storage but don't want to delete apps, try clearing the cache. Go to Settings on your TV, then Apps, then select the app you want to clear. Look for Storage or Cache and select Clear Cache. This removes temporary files the app has stored without deleting the app itself.
You can also remove apps you haven't used in a while and reinstall them later if you need them. Reinstalling takes just a few minutes — go to the Samsung App Store, search for the app, and select Install. Your account information and watch history stay the same when you reinstall.
Reinstall an app you deleted
If you delete an app and later want it back, open the Samsung App Store on your TV. Search for the app by name using your remote's keyboard. When you find it, select Install. The app will download and install automatically, usually within a minute or two depending on your internet speed.
Your account login and any saved preferences in that app will still be there when you reinstall it. For example, if you delete Netflix and reinstall it later, you'll still be logged in to your account and your watch list will be intact.
Troubleshooting when delete won't work
If the delete option doesn't appear when you highlight an app, the app is probably pre-installed and your TV won't let you remove it. Try hiding it instead by pressing and holding Select and looking for Hide or Remove from Home.
If your remote isn't responding, make sure the batteries are fresh and you're pointing it at the TV. Try pressing the Home button to make sure you're on the home screen, then highlight the app again and try the delete steps. If you're still stuck, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete apps that came with my Samsung TV?
Pre-installed apps like Samsung TV Plus or SmartThings usually cannot be deleted. You can hide them from your home screen instead by highlighting them, pressing and holding Select, and choosing Hide or Remove from Home. This keeps them off your screen without taking up extra space.
Will deleting an app erase my account or watch history?
No. Deleting an app only removes it from your TV. Your account information, passwords, and watch history stay on the app's servers. When you reinstall the app, you'll log back in and everything will be there.
How do I know if my Samsung TV uses Tizen or Roku?
Go to Settings on your TV and look for About or System Information. It will tell you which operating system your TV runs. Most Samsung TVs made after 2015 use Tizen. Some newer budget models use Roku instead.
What should I do if I accidentally deleted an important app?
Open the Samsung App Store, search for the app by name, and select Install. It will download and reinstall in a few minutes. You'll be logged back into your account automatically when you open it.
Does deleting apps make my TV faster?
Deleting apps frees up storage space, which can help if your TV is running very low on memory. Clearing app cache is usually more effective for improving performance than deleting the apps themselves.