The quickest way to remove an app from your Samsung TV
To delete an app on a Samsung Smart TV, press the Home button on your remote, navigate to the app you want to remove, press and hold the select button (the center circle), and choose Delete from the menu that appears. The app will be removed from your TV immediately. The process takes about 30 seconds and works the same way on most Samsung models from the last five years.
If you don't see a Delete option, the app is likely a system app that Samsung pre-installed and locked to your TV. You can hide these apps instead of deleting them — they'll stop showing up in your app list, but they'll still exist on the TV's storage. The hiding process uses the same menu.
Key Takeaways
- Press Home on your remote, find the app, hold down the select button, and tap Delete from the menu that appears.
- Pre-installed Samsung apps cannot be deleted but can be hidden so they no longer appear in your app list.
- Deleting an app frees up storage space on your TV, which can improve performance if your TV is running slowly.
- You can reinstall deleted apps later from the Samsung App Store at no cost if you change your mind.
Step-by-step instructions for different Samsung TV models
The delete process is nearly identical across Samsung Smart TVs, but the exact menu names vary slightly depending on your TV's age and software version. On newer models (2020 and later), you'll see "Apps" or "My Apps" in the Home menu. On older models, look for "Smart Hub" instead.
Once you're in the apps section, scroll to find the app you want to remove. Highlight it with your remote's arrow buttons, then press and hold the select button (the round button in the center of the directional pad) for two to three seconds. A small menu will pop up with options including Delete, Hide, or View Details. Select Delete. The TV will ask you to confirm — select Yes, and the app is gone.
If you're using a Samsung TV from 2018 or earlier, the menu structure is slightly different. Press Home, go to Smart Hub, select Apps, find your app, and press the red button on your remote (the colored button on the far left). This opens a context menu where you can choose Delete.
What happens to your storage when you delete an app
Deleting an app removes it from your TV's internal storage, which is usually between 4 GB and 16 GB depending on the model. Most apps take up between 50 MB and 500 MB, so removing even a few apps can free up noticeable space. If your TV has been running slowly or apps have been crashing, clearing storage often helps.
You can check how much storage your TV is using by going to Settings > Apps > Storage or Settings > Device Care > Storage, depending on your model. This shows you which apps are taking up the most space. Streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube typically use less storage than games, which can range from 200 MB to over 1 GB.
The difference between deleting and hiding apps
Deleting an app removes it completely from your TV's storage. Hiding an app keeps it on your TV but removes it from your app list, so you won't see it when you browse. Hidden apps still take up storage space and still receive updates, but they're out of your way.
You should hide rather than delete if the app is one you might use occasionally but don't want cluttering your home screen. You should delete if you're certain you won't use it again and want to free up space. The main advantage of hiding is that you can unhide an app instantly without downloading it again — unhiding just makes it visible again.
To hide an app instead of deleting it, follow the same steps (Home > Apps > hold select on the app) but choose Hide instead of Delete. The app disappears from your list immediately. To unhide it later, go to Settings > Apps > Show Hidden Apps, find it in the list, and select Unhide.
How to reinstall an app you've deleted
If you delete an app and later want it back, you can reinstall it for free from the Samsung App Store. Press Home, go to Apps, and select the Samsung App Store icon (usually a shopping bag or grid icon). Search for the app by name, select it, and choose Install. The TV will download and install it, which usually takes one to five minutes depending on the app size and your internet speed.
Your TV needs an internet connection to reinstall apps. If your TV isn't connected to WiFi, go to Settings > Network > WiFi Settings and connect to your network first. Once the app is reinstalled, you'll need to sign in again if it requires an account — the TV won't remember your login information.
Apps you cannot delete from your Samsung TV
Samsung pre-installs certain system apps that cannot be deleted, including Samsung TV Plus, SmartThings, and the Samsung App Store itself. These apps are locked by Samsung and are essential to how your TV operates. When you try to delete them, the Delete option simply won't appear in the menu.
You can hide these apps so they don't show up in your app list, which achieves the same practical result — they'll be out of your way. The only downside is they still take up storage space. If you really need that space back, your only option is a factory reset, which erases everything on your TV and reinstalls all system apps fresh. This is rarely worth it just to free up a few hundred megabytes.
Troubleshooting if the delete option doesn't appear
If you press and hold select on an app and no menu appears, your remote may not be responding properly. Try pressing and holding for a full three seconds — some TVs require a longer press. If nothing happens, try a different app to see if the problem is specific to that app or affects all apps.
If the menu appears but Delete is grayed out or missing, the app is a system app that Samsung has locked. Your only option is to hide it. If you're certain the app should be deletable and the menu still won't appear, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot. This sometimes fixes menu responsiveness issues.
If you're using a third-party remote (not the original Samsung remote), some functions may not work. The original Samsung remote's select button is essential for this process. If you've lost your original remote, you can use the SmartThings app on your phone as a replacement remote — it has the same functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting an app free up enough storage to make my TV faster?
It depends on how full your TV is. If you're using more than 80% of your storage, deleting apps can noticeably improve performance. If you're using less than 50%, you probably won't see a difference. Check Settings > Device Care > Storage to see your current usage. Deleting a few large games or streaming apps is more effective than deleting small utility apps.
Can I delete multiple apps at once?
No, Samsung TVs require you to delete apps one at a time. There's no bulk delete feature. If you want to clean up several apps, you'll need to repeat the process for each one, which takes about 30 seconds per app.
What happens to my saved data if I delete an app?
Saved data, login information, and settings are usually deleted along with the app. When you reinstall the app later, you'll start fresh. Some apps store data in the cloud (like Netflix or YouTube), so your watch history and preferences will still be there when you sign back in.
Can I delete the Samsung App Store itself?
No, the Samsung App Store is a system app and cannot be deleted. You can hide it if you don't use it, but it will remain on your TV. This is the only way to install new apps on your Samsung TV, so Samsung locks it to prevent accidental removal.
Do I need to unplug my TV after deleting an app?
No, you don't need to restart your TV after deleting an app. The deletion happens immediately and the app is gone from your list right away. You only need to restart your TV if you're experiencing menu problems or the TV is running slowly.