Delete an app in three steps

To remove an app from your Roku TV, press the Home button on your remote, highlight the app you want to delete, press the Options button (the star icon), and select "Remove channel" from the menu. The app disappears immediately — you can reinstall it later from the Roku Channel Store if you change your mind.

The whole process takes about 30 seconds. You do not need to restart your TV or sign into anything. The app's data stays on Roku's servers, so if you reinstall it later, your login information and settings will still be there.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Home, find the app, press the star button (Options), and select "Remove channel" — the app is gone immediately.
  • Deleting an app does not erase your account or login information for that service; reinstalling it will restore your settings.
  • You cannot delete the Roku system apps like Home, Settings, or Search, but you can hide them from your home screen.
  • If you delete an app by mistake, you can reinstall it from the Roku Channel Store at any time.

Step-by-step: removing an app from your home screen

Step 1: Go to your home screen. Press the Home button on your Roku remote. You will see all your installed apps arranged in rows.

Step 2: Highlight the app you want to remove. Use the arrow buttons on your remote to move the cursor over the app icon. The app will highlight when you select it.

Step 3: Open the Options menu. Press the star button (Options) on your remote. A small menu will pop up with several choices.

Step 4: Select "Remove channel." Use the arrow buttons to highlight "Remove channel" and press OK. The app will disappear from your home screen within a few seconds.

What happens when you delete an app

Deleting an app removes it from your home screen and from your TV's storage, but it does not delete your account with that service. If you use Netflix, Disney+, or any other streaming service, your account remains active with those companies. You are only removing the Roku app that lets you access them.

When you reinstall the app later, you can log back in with the same username and password. Your watch history, saved shows, and preferences will still be there. The only thing that changes is that the app is no longer on your TV.

Apps you cannot delete

Roku does not let you delete its system apps — Home, Settings, Search, and a few others that come built into every Roku TV. These apps are required for your TV to work properly, so Roku locks them to prevent accidental removal.

If you do not want to see these apps on your home screen, you can hide them instead. Highlight the app, press Options, and select "Hide channel." The app will disappear from your home screen but will still be on your TV and will still work if you search for it.

Reinstalling an app you deleted

Open the Roku Channel Store by pressing the Home button and selecting "Streaming Channels" or "Search Channels" (the exact name depends on your Roku model). Use the search function to find the app you want to reinstall, select it, and press OK. Roku will download and install it in about 30 seconds.

You do not need to pay again for apps you have already purchased. Roku remembers which apps you own, and reinstalling them is free. If the app requires a login, you can use the same account you used before.

Freeing up storage space on your Roku

Roku TVs have limited built-in storage, and installing too many apps can slow down your TV or cause it to freeze. If your TV is running slowly, deleting apps you do not use regularly is one of the fastest ways to improve performance.

You can check how much storage you are using by going to Settings, selecting System, and then Storage. This screen shows you the total storage available and how much is in use. If you are over 80 percent full, deleting a few unused apps will usually make your TV noticeably faster.

Troubleshooting: the app will not delete

If you press Options and "Remove channel" does not appear, the app is probably a system app that Roku does not let you delete. Try hiding it instead by selecting "Hide channel" from the Options menu.

If the Options button does not work at all, your remote may not be paired correctly with your TV. Point the remote directly at your TV (not at the screen), hold down the pairing button on the back of the remote for three seconds, and try again. If that does not work, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting an app delete my account with that service?

No. Deleting the Roku app only removes it from your TV. Your account with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, or any other service remains active. When you reinstall the app, you can log back in with the same username and password, and all your settings will be there.

Can I delete multiple apps at once?

No, you have to delete apps one at a time. There is no bulk delete option on Roku. However, the process is fast — each app takes about 30 seconds to remove.

What if I delete an app by mistake?

You can reinstall it immediately from the Roku Channel Store. Open Streaming Channels, search for the app by name, and select it. Roku will download and install it in about 30 seconds. Your login information and settings will still be there.

Does deleting apps make my Roku TV faster?

Yes, if your TV is running slowly. Roku TVs have limited storage, and too many installed apps can cause freezing or lag. Deleting apps you do not use regularly will free up space and usually improve performance noticeably.

Why can't I delete the Home app or Settings?

These are system apps that your Roku TV needs to function. Roku locks them to prevent accidental deletion. You can hide them from your home screen instead by pressing Options and selecting "Hide channel."