Delete an app by finding it on your home screen

To remove an app from your Roku, navigate to it on your home screen, press the Options button (the star icon) on your remote, and select "Remove channel" from the menu that appears. The app disappears immediately. This is the fastest way and works on all Roku models.

The Options button is located on the left side of your Roku remote, below the directional pad. If you cannot find the app on your home screen because you have many installed, use the search function instead: press the Home button, select Search Channels, type the app name, and when it appears in results, highlight it and press Options to remove it.

Key Takeaways

  • Press the Options button (star icon) on your remote while highlighting an app, then select "Remove channel" to delete it permanently.
  • Deleted apps can be reinstalled later from the Roku Channel Store at no cost — removing an app does not erase your account or login information.
  • Removing apps frees up storage space on your Roku device, which can improve performance if you have many channels installed.
  • The process takes five seconds and works the same way on Roku TVs, Roku sticks, and Roku boxes.

What happens to your account when you delete an app

Deleting an app does not log you out or erase your account with that service. If you reinstall the app later, you can usually log back in with the same username and password. Your watch history, preferences, and saved content remain on the service's servers, not on your Roku device.

Some apps store login information locally on your Roku. When you remove the app, that cached login data is deleted along with it. You will need to enter your password again when you reinstall, but your account itself is unaffected.

Freeing up storage space on your Roku

Roku devices have limited built-in storage. If your device is running slowly or you see a message that storage is full, removing unused apps can help. Each app takes up between 50 megabytes and 500 megabytes depending on the service — streaming apps like Netflix or YouTube tend to be larger than smaller utility apps.

To see how much storage you are using, go to Settings, select System, then Storage. This screen shows your total available space and how much is in use. If you are above 80 percent full, removing a few large apps will noticeably improve performance.

Reinstalling an app you deleted

If you change your mind, you can reinstall any app you removed. Press the Home button on your remote, select Search Channels or the Roku Channel Store, find the app by name, and select it. The installation begins immediately and usually finishes within a minute.

You do not need to pay for apps again — Roku does not charge for most channels. If an app required a subscription (like a streaming service), you still need an active subscription to use it, but reinstalling the app itself costs nothing.

Removing apps from a Roku TV

Roku TVs use the same process as Roku sticks and boxes. Highlight the app on your home screen, press the Options button on your remote, and select "Remove channel." The only difference is that Roku TVs may have a few pre-installed apps that cannot be removed — these are typically Roku's own services like the Roku Channel or Roku Search.

If you see an app you want to remove but the "Remove channel" option is grayed out or missing, that app is built into your TV model and cannot be deleted. You can hide it instead by pressing Options and selecting "Hide channel," which removes it from your home screen view without actually uninstalling it.

Troubleshooting if an app will not delete

If you press Options and do not see a "Remove channel" choice, the app may be a system app that your Roku model does not allow you to delete. Try hiding it instead — press Options and look for "Hide channel." This removes it from your home screen without uninstalling it.

If the Options button does not respond, restart your Roku device. Press Home, go to Settings, select System, then Power, and choose "Restart." Wait 30 seconds for the device to reboot, then try removing the app again. If it still does not work, the app may be corrupted — unplug your Roku for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and try once more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete multiple apps at once?

No, Roku requires you to remove apps one at a time. There is no bulk delete option. If you want to remove many apps, you will need to highlight each one, press Options, and select "Remove channel" for each.

Will deleting an app remove my login information?

Deleting the app removes the cached login data stored on your Roku device, but your account with the service remains active. When you reinstall the app, you can log back in with your username and password as usual.

Does removing an app free up enough space to matter?

Yes, if your Roku is running slowly or showing storage warnings. Large streaming apps can take up 300 to 500 megabytes each. Removing three or four apps can free up a gigabyte or more, which often noticeably improves performance.

What if I accidentally delete an app I need?

You can reinstall it immediately from the Roku Channel Store. Press Home, select Search Channels, find the app by name, and select it. Installation takes about a minute and costs nothing.

Are there apps I cannot delete from my Roku?

Yes, some Roku models have pre-installed system apps that cannot be removed, usually Roku's own services. If "Remove channel" is not available, try "Hide channel" instead to remove it from your home screen view.