Deleting an app from Roku takes about 30 seconds

To remove an app from your Roku device, go to the home screen, highlight the app you want to delete, press the Options button (marked with a star) on your remote, and select "Remove channel" from the menu that appears. The app disappears immediately and frees up storage space on your device.

The process is the same whether you're using a Roku TV, a Roku streaming stick, or a Roku box. You don't need to restart the device or sign into anything — the deletion happens right away and you can reinstall the app later from the Roku Channel Store if you change your mind.

Key Takeaways

  • Press the Options button (star icon) while an app is highlighted on your home screen to see the removal option.
  • Deleting an app does not affect your account or login information — you can reinstall it anytime and your saved preferences will still be there.
  • Removing apps frees up storage on your Roku device, which can help if the device is running slowly or running out of space.
  • You cannot delete the Roku home screen itself or the Roku Channel Store, but you can hide apps you don't use by moving them to the end of your home screen.

Step-by-step removal process

Start by pressing the Home button on your Roku remote to make sure you're on the home screen. Scroll left or right until the app you want to remove is visible and highlighted with a colored border around it.

Once the app is highlighted, press the Options button on your remote — it's the button with a star icon, usually located near the center of the remote below the directional pad. A small menu will pop up with several choices. Select "Remove channel" using the directional pad and press OK. The app will disappear from your home screen within a second or two.

What happens to your data when you delete an app

Deleting an app from Roku removes it from your device but does not erase your account information or login credentials for that service. If you reinstall the app later, you can often log back in with the same username and password, and your watch history or saved preferences may still be there — this depends on whether the app stores that information on its own servers.

Some apps, like Netflix or Disney+, remember your profile and viewing history because they're tied to your account with that service, not to your Roku device. Other apps may reset their settings if you uninstall and reinstall them. There's no way to know for certain without testing, but your account itself is never affected by removing an app from your Roku.

Freeing up storage space on your Roku

Roku devices have limited built-in storage, and installing many apps can slow down your device or cause it to freeze occasionally. Removing apps you no longer use is one of the fastest ways to improve performance. Deleting even three or four unused apps can sometimes make a noticeable difference if your Roku is running slowly.

If you're not sure which apps are taking up the most space, you can check your storage usage by going to Settings > System > About. This screen shows how much storage is available and how much is in use, but it doesn't break down individual app sizes. The best approach is to remove apps you haven't opened in several months — those are usually the ones you won't miss.

Hiding apps instead of deleting them

If you want to keep an app but don't want it cluttering your home screen, you can move it to the end of your home screen instead of deleting it. Highlight the app, press Options, and select "Move channel." Use the directional pad to move it to the far right of your home screen, where it will be out of the way but still installed on your device.

This approach is useful for apps you use occasionally but not regularly — you can still find them quickly without deleting and reinstalling them later. You can also rearrange your home screen to put your most-used apps at the beginning, making them easier to find.

Apps you cannot delete from Roku

Roku does not allow you to delete certain built-in apps, including the Roku home screen itself, the Roku Channel Store, and sometimes the Roku remote app. If you highlight one of these apps and press Options, the "Remove channel" choice will not appear in the menu — only other options like "Move channel" will be available.

You can move these apps to the end of your home screen if you don't want to see them, but you cannot remove them completely. This is by design to ensure your Roku device always has access to the channel store and its core functions.

Reinstalling an app you deleted

To put an app back on your Roku after deleting it, go to the Roku Channel Store (the shopping bag icon on your home screen), search for the app by name, and select "Add channel." The app will download and install automatically, usually within a minute or two depending on your internet speed.

You don't need to pay again for apps you've already purchased — Roku remembers your purchase history tied to your Roku account. Free apps also reinstall without any additional steps. Once the app is installed, you can log back in with your account information for that service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting an app remove my saved passwords or watch history?

No. Your account information for that service (like Netflix or Hulu) is stored on their servers, not on your Roku device. When you reinstall the app and log in again, your history and preferences will still be there. The only data that might be lost is settings specific to the Roku app itself, like video quality preferences.

Can I delete multiple apps at once?

No, you have to delete apps one at a time. Highlight each app, press Options, select "Remove channel," and repeat for the next app. There is no bulk delete feature on Roku devices.

What should I do if the Options button doesn't work?

Make sure your remote has fresh batteries and that you're pressing the correct button — the star icon, not the back arrow or home button. If the button still doesn't respond, try pointing the remote directly at the Roku device and pressing it again. If the app still won't delete, restart your Roku by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.

Does deleting apps make my Roku faster?

Yes, removing unused apps can improve performance, especially if your Roku was running slowly or freezing. Each app takes up storage space and uses a small amount of memory even when closed. Deleting several apps can free up enough resources to make a noticeable difference.

Can I delete the Roku Channel Store?

No, the Roku Channel Store is a built-in app that cannot be removed. You can move it to the end of your home screen if you don't want to see it, but it will always be installed on your device.