The fastest way to remove an app
The quickest method is to press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap "Remove app" or "Uninstall". This works on most Android phones running Android 9 or newer. The app disappears from your home screen immediately, though the full app files may still be on your phone until you confirm the uninstall.
If you don't see a "Remove app" option, your phone may be using an older Android version. In that case, drag the app icon to a trash or remove icon that appears at the top of the screen, or use the Settings method described below.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold an app icon on your home screen to see the remove option on Android 9 and newer phones.
- Go to Settings > Apps (or Application Manager) to uninstall any app, including ones you can't remove from the home screen.
- Some apps that came with your phone cannot be fully deleted, but you can disable them to stop them from running and appearing in your app list.
- Uninstalling an app removes it from your phone but does not delete your account or data stored in the cloud with that service.
Uninstalling through Settings on any Android phone
If the home screen method doesn't work, or if you want to uninstall an app that isn't on your home screen, use your phone's Settings app. Open Settings, then look for "Apps", "Applications", "App Manager", or "Manage Applications" — the exact name varies by phone maker and Android version.
Tap the app you want to remove from the list. You'll see an "Uninstall" button near the top of the screen. Tap it, then confirm when your phone asks if you're sure. The app will be removed from your phone.
If the "Uninstall" button is grayed out or missing, that app came with your phone and cannot be fully deleted. You can still disable it instead — see the section below on system apps.
What happens when you uninstall an app
Uninstalling removes the app program from your phone, but it does not delete your account with that service or any data stored on the company's servers. For example, uninstalling Gmail removes the app but keeps your Google account and all your emails intact. You can reinstall the app later and log back in with the same account.
Data stored only on your phone — like photos you took in a camera app, or notes you wrote in a notes app — may be deleted when you uninstall, depending on how the app was designed. If you want to keep that data, back it up before you uninstall. Most apps will warn you about this when you tap uninstall.
Disabling apps that came with your phone
Some apps are built into Android or installed by your phone's manufacturer and cannot be fully uninstalled. These often include apps like Google Maps, Google Photos, Samsung Health (on Samsung phones), or your carrier's apps. Instead of uninstalling, you can disable them.
Open Settings > Apps, find the app, and tap "Disable" instead of "Uninstall". A disabled app will not run in the background, will not send you notifications, and will not appear in your app drawer. You can re-enable it later if you change your mind by tapping "Enable".
Disabling a system app does not free up much storage space, since the app files remain on your phone. If your goal is to save space, focus on uninstalling large apps you actually use but no longer need.
Freeing up storage space by removing large apps
If your phone is running low on storage, uninstalling apps is one way to make room. To see which apps are taking up the most space, go to Settings > Storage (or Storage and USB on some phones). Tap "Apps" or "App storage" to see a list sorted by size.
Apps that use the most space are usually games, video streaming apps, and social media apps. Uninstalling one large app can free up several gigabytes. After you uninstall, your phone may take a few seconds to update the storage count.
Keep in mind that uninstalling an app only frees space if you remove the entire app. Clearing an app's cache (temporary files) frees a small amount of space but keeps the app installed. If you want to keep an app but save space, clearing the cache is a gentler option than uninstalling.
Removing apps from your app drawer
Some Android phones let you hide apps from your app drawer without uninstalling them. This is different from uninstalling — the app stays on your phone and still runs in the background, but you won't see it in your list of apps.
To hide an app, open your app drawer (the grid icon that shows all your apps), press and hold the app, and look for "Hide", "Remove from app drawer", or similar. The exact option depends on your phone maker. If you don't see this option, your phone doesn't support hiding apps, and you'll need to uninstall instead if you want it out of sight.
Reinstalling an app you deleted
If you uninstall an app and later want it back, you can reinstall it from the Google Play Store. Open the Play Store app, search for the app by name, and tap "Install". The app will download and install on your phone. If you had an account with that service, you can log back in and your data will be there.
Some apps that came with your phone cannot be reinstalled from the Play Store because they're not public apps. If you disabled a system app and want to turn it back on, go to Settings > Apps, find it in the list, and tap "Enable".
Frequently Asked Questions
Will uninstalling an app delete my account or data?
No. Uninstalling the app removes the program from your phone, but your account and any data stored on the company's servers stays there. If you reinstall the app and log back in, everything will be the same. Data stored only on your phone, like photos or notes, may be deleted depending on the app.
Can I uninstall apps that came with my phone?
Most system apps cannot be fully uninstalled, but you can disable them so they don't run or appear in your app list. A few apps like Google Maps or Gmail can be uninstalled on some phones. If the uninstall button is grayed out, the app cannot be removed.
How much storage space will I free up by uninstalling apps?
It depends on the app. Large games or video apps can use several gigabytes, while small utility apps might use only tens of megabytes. Check Settings > Storage > Apps to see which apps are largest on your phone.
What's the difference between uninstalling and disabling an app?
Uninstalling removes the app files from your phone entirely. Disabling keeps the app on your phone but stops it from running, showing notifications, or appearing in your app list. You can only disable apps that came with your phone; user-installed apps can only be uninstalled.
Can I hide an app without uninstalling it?
Some Android phones let you hide apps from your app drawer while keeping them installed. Press and hold the app in your app drawer and look for a "Hide" option. Not all phones support this — if you don't see it, you'll need to uninstall the app instead.