Give permission to add and remove apps in Slack
In Slack, you control who can install new apps and remove existing ones by adjusting workspace permissions. By default, workspace owners and admins can add or remove apps, but you can expand or restrict this to other members. The process takes about two minutes and happens in your workspace settings, not in individual app pages.
The person making these changes must be a workspace owner or admin. If you are not sure whether you have admin access, check your workspace name in the top left — if you see a down arrow next to it, click it and look for "Workspace settings" or "Manage workspace". If that option does not appear, you do not have admin access yet.
Key Takeaways
- Only workspace owners and admins can change app permission settings for the entire workspace.
- You can let all members add apps, restrict it to admins only, or choose a middle ground by allowing specific members to manage apps.
- Removing someone's app management permission does not uninstall apps they previously added.
- Apps installed in private channels can only be managed by people with access to that channel, regardless of workspace-wide settings.
How to let all members add and remove apps
Open Slack and click your workspace name in the top left corner. Select "Workspace settings" from the menu that appears. On the left sidebar, click "Permissions" or "App management" (the exact name varies by Slack plan).
Look for the section labeled "App installation and management" or similar. You will see options for who can install apps and who can remove apps. Click the dropdown next to "Who can install apps" and select "All members". Do the same for "Who can remove apps". Click "Save" at the bottom of the page.
Once saved, any member of your workspace can now add apps from the Slack App Directory and remove apps they have installed. They will see an "Add to Slack" button when browsing apps, and they can remove apps from their own sidebar by right-clicking the app name and selecting "Remove from sidebar" or "Uninstall".
How to restrict app management to admins only
Follow the same path: workspace name, "Workspace settings", then "Permissions" or "App management". In the "App installation and management" section, click the dropdown next to "Who can install apps" and select "Workspace owners and admins only". Do the same for "Who can remove apps". Click "Save".
This is the most restrictive setting. Now only people with admin or owner status can add new apps to the workspace or remove existing ones. Regular members will not see the "Add to Slack" button when browsing the App Directory, and they cannot uninstall apps from their own sidebar.
If a member needs a specific app, they can request it from an admin. The admin can then install it and make it available to the whole workspace or to specific channels.
How to let specific members manage apps
Some Slack plans (typically Pro and above) allow you to grant app management permission to individual members without making them full admins. Go to "Workspace settings", then "Permissions" or "App management". Look for an option that says "Specific members" or "Custom permissions".
Click that option and a list of workspace members will appear. Check the box next to each person you want to allow to install and remove apps. These members will gain app management rights without becoming workspace admins, so they cannot change other settings like billing or member roles.
If you do not see a "Specific members" option, your Slack plan may not support it. In that case, you can only choose between "All members" or "Admins only". Contact Slack support to check which permission options your plan includes.
What happens when you change app permissions
Changes take effect immediately. If you switch from "All members" to "Admins only", members who previously installed apps can still use those apps — the permission change only affects who can install or remove apps going forward. The apps themselves stay in the workspace.
If a member installed an app in a private channel they created, they keep the ability to remove it from that channel even if you restrict workspace-wide app management. Channel-level permissions override workspace settings for apps installed in private channels.
Troubleshooting app permission problems
If a member says they cannot add an app but you set permissions to "All members", ask them to refresh their Slack window by pressing Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac). Sometimes the permission change does not show up until they reload.
If you are trying to change permissions but the dropdown options are grayed out or missing, you may not have owner-level access. Only workspace owners can change these settings on most Slack plans. If you are an admin, ask a workspace owner to make the change, or contact Slack support to confirm your plan's permission options.
If an app was installed by someone who no longer works at your company, you can still remove it from workspace settings even if you did not install it. Go to "Workspace settings", then "Installed apps" or "Manage apps", find the app in the list, and click "Remove" or the trash icon next to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I let someone add apps but not remove them?
Most Slack plans do not separate these permissions — if someone can install apps, they can usually remove them too. However, you can always remove an app yourself from workspace settings even if a member installed it. Some enterprise plans may offer more granular controls; check with your Slack administrator or contact Slack support.
What if I remove an app but someone keeps trying to use it?
Once you remove an app from workspace settings, no one can use it, and it will not appear in anyone's sidebar. If someone says they can still see it, ask them to refresh their Slack window. If it still appears after a refresh, the app may have been installed in a private channel they are part of — you would need to remove it from that channel specifically.
Do I need to be an owner to change app permissions?
Yes, only workspace owners can change workspace-wide app permissions. Admins cannot modify these settings. If you are an admin and need to change app permissions, ask a workspace owner to do it, or check whether your workspace has owner-level access you can request.
If I let all members add apps, can they add anything?
Members can add any app from the official Slack App Directory. They cannot add custom apps or bots unless you have specifically allowed that in your workspace settings. If you want to restrict which apps members can add, you would need to use Slack's app approval workflow, which is available on Enterprise Grid plans.
What happens to apps when someone leaves the workspace?
Apps they installed stay in the workspace and continue to work. Removing a member does not automatically uninstall their apps. If you want to remove an app they installed, you can do that from workspace settings under "Installed apps" or "Manage apps", regardless of whether they still work at your company.