How to Remove Apps From Your Samsung Smart TV

The quickest way to delete an app from your Samsung TV

To delete an app from a Samsung Smart TV, press the Home button on your remote, find the app you want to remove, press and hold the select button (the center circle) until a menu appears, then choose Delete or Remove. The app disappears from your home screen within seconds. The process is the same whether you're using a 2020 model or a current one, though the exact menu wording varies slightly by year.

If you cannot find the app on your home screen, it may be in an app folder or on a different page. Swipe left or right to see other pages, or look for a folder labeled "My Apps" or "All Apps" where less-used programs are grouped together.

Key Takeaways

Press Home, find the app, hold the select button, and choose Delete from the menu that appears.
Deleting an app removes it from your home screen but does not erase your account data or login information if you reinstall it later.
Some pre-installed Samsung apps cannot be deleted, only hidden or disabled through Settings.
If an app does not respond to the hold-and-delete method, go to Settings > Apps and use the uninstall option there instead.

Finding the app you want to delete

The app you want to remove may not be on your main home screen. Samsung TVs organize apps across multiple pages, and frequently used apps appear first. If you do not see the app when ready, swipe left or right using the arrow buttons on your remote to move between pages.

Some Samsung models also group apps into folders. Look for a folder icon labeled "My Apps," "All Apps," or "Downloaded Apps." Press select to open it and browse the full list. Apps you have not used recently often end up here, making them harder to spot at first glance.

What happens when you delete an app

Deleting an app removes it from your TV's home screen and frees up storage space. However, your login information and account data for that app are usually saved on Samsung's servers or the app developer's servers. If you reinstall the same app later, you can often log back in without re-entering your password or resetting your preferences.

This is different from a factory reset, which erases everything. Deleting individual apps is a safe way to clean up your home screen without affecting other programs or your TV's settings.

Apps you cannot delete and how to hide them

Samsung pre-installs certain apps like Samsung TV Plus, SmartThings, or Bixby that cannot be deleted through the standard delete menu. When you press and hold these apps, the Delete option either does not appear or is grayed out. Instead, you can hide them from your home screen or disable them through Settings.

To hide a pre-installed app, go to Settings > Apps > System Apps, find the app, and select Disable or Hide. This removes it from your home screen without uninstalling it completely. If you change your mind later, you can re-enable it the same way. Some users prefer this approach because it keeps the TV's core functions intact while cleaning up the visual clutter.

Using Settings to uninstall apps that won't delete

If an app does not respond to the hold-and-delete method, or if you want more control over the uninstall process, use your TV's Settings menu instead. Press Home, go to Settings, select Apps, then find the app you want to remove. Choose Uninstall or Remove, and confirm when prompted.

This method works for most downloaded apps and gives you a second path if the home screen delete option fails. It also shows you how much storage space each app uses, which is helpful if your TV is running slowly or running out of room for new apps.

Freeing up storage space on your Samsung TV

Deleting unused apps is one of the fastest ways to improve your TV's performance if it has been slowing down. Each app takes up storage space, and too many apps running in the background can make your TV sluggish when switching between channels or opening menus.

After deleting apps, you can also clear the cache for remaining apps through Settings > Apps > Storage. This removes temporary files that apps create while running, which can recover several gigabytes of space without affecting your saved data or settings. If your TV still feels slow after clearing cache and deleting apps, a restart (Settings > General > Restart) often helps.

Reinstalling an app you deleted

If you delete an app and later want it back, go to the Samsung App Store (usually accessible from your home screen or through Settings > Apps > App Store). Search for the app by name, select it, and choose Install. The app downloads and installs within a few minutes depending on your internet connection speed.

When you reinstall, you will usually be able to log back into your account without re-entering your password, since the app developer's servers remember your login. However, any personal settings or preferences you had in the app before deleting it may not return — that depends on whether the app saves those details to your account or only to your TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete Netflix, YouTube, or other streaming apps?

Yes, you can delete any app you downloaded from the Samsung App Store, including Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and others. Press and hold the app, select Delete, and it is removed. You can reinstall it anytime from the App Store if you change your mind.

Will deleting an app delete my saved passwords and watch history?

No. Your account data, passwords, and watch history are stored on the app developer's servers, not on your TV. When you reinstall the app and log in, your history and preferences return. Deleting the app only removes the program itself from your TV's storage.

What if the delete option does not appear when I hold the app?

That app is likely pre-installed by Samsung and cannot be deleted. You can hide it from your home screen by going to Settings > Apps > System Apps, finding the app, and selecting Disable or Hide. This removes it from view without uninstalling it.

Does deleting apps make my Samsung TV faster?

Deleting unused apps frees up storage space, which can help if your TV is running low on memory. However, the main speed improvement comes from clearing the cache (Settings > Apps > Storage) and restarting your TV. Too many apps running in the background can also slow performance, so removing ones you do not use helps.

How do I delete multiple apps at once?

Samsung TVs do not have a bulk delete feature. You must delete apps one at a time by pressing and holding each one and selecting Delete. If you want to clean up quickly, focus on the largest apps first, which you can see in Settings > Apps > Storage.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.