Delete an app by pressing and holding on it

To remove an app from your Apple TV, find it on the home screen, press and hold the touchpad or remote button on that app for about three seconds, then select Remove from the menu that appears. The app disappears from your home screen immediately. This is the fastest way to clean up apps you no longer use.

The app itself is still stored on your Apple TV — you are only removing it from view. If you want to use it again later, you can reinstall it from the App Store without losing any saved data or settings tied to that app.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold any app on your home screen for three seconds, then tap Remove to delete it from view.
  • Deleting an app from the home screen does not erase it completely — you can reinstall it anytime from the App Store.
  • You cannot delete built-in Apple apps like TV, Music, or Podcasts, but you can hide them by moving them to a folder.
  • If an app is stuck or frozen, force-closing it often works better than deleting and reinstalling it.

What happens when you remove an app

When you select Remove, the app tile vanishes from your home screen, but the app files remain on your Apple TV's storage. Your saved games, login information, and preferences stay on the device. If you reinstall the app later from the App Store, all that data comes back automatically.

This is different from a phone or tablet, where deleting an app usually removes all its files. On Apple TV, the distinction matters less because storage is rarely a problem — most people delete apps simply to declutter the home screen, not to free up space.

Apps you cannot delete

Apple's built-in apps — TV, Music, Podcasts, Fitness, and a few others — cannot be removed. If you try to press and hold one of these apps, the Remove option will not appear. These apps are part of the system and stay on your device.

If a built-in app is cluttering your home screen, you can hide it by moving it into a folder with other apps. Press and hold the app, select Move, then drag it onto another app to create a folder. The app still exists on your Apple TV but stays out of sight.

Reinstalling an app you deleted

Open the App Store on your Apple TV and search for the app by name. When you find it, select it and press the download button (usually shown as a cloud icon with a down arrow). The app reinstalls to your home screen in a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the app's size and your internet speed.

Your saved data and login information return with the app. You do not have to set up the app again from scratch unless you deleted it more than a year ago — in that case, the app's servers may have cleared your account data.

When to delete versus force-close an app

If an app is frozen, crashing, or running slowly, try force-closing it first before deleting it. Hold the play button on your Apple TV remote for about six seconds until the app closes, then open it again. This fixes most problems without losing the app or its data.

Delete an app only if force-closing does not work, or if you genuinely do not use it anymore. Reinstalling takes just a few seconds, so there is no harm in trying the quicker fix first.

Organizing your home screen after deleting apps

After you delete several apps, your home screen may look sparse or disorganized. You can rearrange the remaining apps by pressing and holding one, selecting Move, and dragging it to a new position. You can also create folders to group similar apps together — for example, a Games folder or a Streaming folder.

Apple TV remembers your layout, so the next time you turn on your device, your apps appear in the same order. There is no limit to how many apps you can have on your home screen or how many folders you can create.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting an app free up storage space on my Apple TV?

Deleting an app from the home screen does not remove the app files, so it does not free up storage. If you want to actually erase the app and its files to reclaim space, you need to go to Settings > Apps, find the app, and select Delete App Data. This is rarely necessary unless your Apple TV is running low on storage.

Can I delete an app and then reinstall it without losing my progress?

Yes. Deleting an app from the home screen keeps all your saved data, login information, and game progress on the device. When you reinstall the app, everything comes back. The only exception is if the app's developer deletes your account on their servers, which is uncommon.

What if I accidentally deleted an app I need?

Open the App Store, search for the app by name, and select it. Press the download button to reinstall it. The entire process takes less than a minute, and your data returns automatically once the app is installed.

Why is the Remove option not showing up when I press and hold an app?

You are probably trying to delete a built-in Apple app like TV or Music, which cannot be removed. These apps are permanent on Apple TV. If it is a third-party app and Remove still does not appear, try pressing and holding for a full three seconds — sometimes a shorter press just selects the app instead of opening the menu.