How to Delete Apps From Your Samsung Smart TV

The quickest way to remove an app

To delete an app from your 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. You do not need to restart the TV or sign into anything.

The exact wording on your screen may say "Delete", "Remove", or "Uninstall" depending on your TV model and the app itself. All three mean the same thing — the app is gone from your TV. Some apps that came pre-installed on your TV (like Samsung TV Plus or SmartThings) may only offer "Hide" instead of "Delete", which removes them from view but keeps them on the device.

If the menu does not appear when you press and hold, try pressing the menu or options button on your remote instead. Samsung remotes vary by model year, so the exact button may differ, but one of these approaches will work on any Samsung Smart TV made in the last five years.

Key Takeaways

Press Home, find the app, press and hold the select button, then choose Delete from the menu that appears.
Pre-installed Samsung apps may only offer Hide instead of Delete, which removes them from your home screen but does not free up storage.
Deleting an app does not affect your account or sign-in information — you can reinstall it later and log back in when ready.
If you cannot find the Delete option, check your TV's settings menu under Apps or Applications for a full list of installed programs.

Where to find the app if it is not on your home screen

If the app you want to delete is not visible on your home screen, it may be on another page or in your app library. Scroll left or right on your home screen to see other pages, or look for an Apps or Applications button (usually a grid icon) that shows all installed programs in one place.

Once you find the app in the full list, the delete process is the same: press and hold the select button and choose Delete. Some Samsung TVs also let you press the menu button while an app is highlighted to bring up options without holding the select button — try both if one does not work.

What happens to your account when you delete an app

Deleting an app does not sign you out of your account or erase your login information. When you reinstall the app later, you can usually log back in with the same username and password you used before. Your viewing history, preferences, and saved shows remain on the app's servers, not on your TV.

The only exception is if the app stores data locally on your TV (like downloaded videos or cached information). Deleting the app removes that local data, but your account itself is unaffected. You will not lose access to anything you paid for or subscribed to.

Freeing up storage space by removing apps

Samsung Smart TVs have limited built-in storage, usually between 4 and 8 gigabytes depending on the model. Deleting apps you no longer use is one of the fastest ways to free up space if your TV is running slowly or if you cannot install new apps because storage is full.

To see how much storage each app uses, go to Settings, then Apps or Applications, then select Storage or Memory. This screen shows the total storage used and often breaks down which apps are taking the most space. Streaming apps like Netflix or YouTube typically use less than 100 megabytes, but some games or apps with offline content can use several gigabytes.

After you delete an app, the freed space becomes available when ready — you do not need to restart your TV. If your TV is still running slowly after deleting apps, the issue may be a weak internet connection or too many apps running at once rather than storage space.

Reinstalling an app you deleted

If you delete an app by mistake or want to use it again later, you can reinstall it from the Samsung App Store. Press Home, look for an Apps or Get Apps button, search for the app by name, and select Install. The app downloads and installs within a few minutes depending on its size and your internet speed.

You will need to be signed into your Samsung account to install apps, but you do not need to pay again for apps you already own. Paid apps and subscriptions you purchased on your TV remain tied to your account, so reinstalling them is free.

Difference between hiding and deleting pre-installed apps

Samsung comes with several built-in apps like Samsung TV Plus, SmartThings, and Samsung Health that cannot be fully deleted — they only offer a Hide option. Hiding removes the app from your home screen so you do not see it, but the app still takes up storage space on your TV.

If you want to completely remove a pre-installed app and free up its storage, check your TV's Settings menu under Apps or Applications. Some models let you uninstall pre-installed apps from this menu even if the home screen only offers Hide. If the Settings menu also only shows Hide, that app cannot be removed from your specific TV model, and hiding it is the only option available.

Troubleshooting when the delete option does not appear

If you press and hold the select button and no menu appears, the app may be a system app that cannot be deleted. Try pressing the menu or options button on your remote instead — different Samsung remote models use different buttons to bring up app menus.

If you still see no delete option, go to Settings, then Apps or Applications, find the app in the full list, and look for an Uninstall or Remove button there. This method works on almost all Samsung TVs and often shows options that the home screen menu does not. If the Settings menu also has no delete option, that app is protected by Samsung and cannot be removed from your TV model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting an app free up storage space?

Yes, deleting an app removes it from your TV's storage when ready. The freed space becomes available right away. Pre-installed apps that only offer Hide instead of Delete do not free up space — they remain on your TV even when hidden.

Will I lose my account information if I delete an app?

No. Your account and login information stay on the app's servers, not on your TV. When you reinstall the app, you can log back in with the same username and password. Your viewing history and preferences usually return automatically.

Can I delete apps that came with my Samsung TV?

Most pre-installed Samsung apps like Samsung TV Plus and SmartThings only offer Hide, not Delete. Some newer models let you uninstall them through the Settings menu under Apps. If neither option works, that app cannot be removed from your TV model.

What if I accidentally delete an app I need?

You can reinstall any app from the Samsung App Store by pressing Home, selecting Apps or Get Apps, searching for the app by name, and choosing Install. Reinstalling takes a few minutes and is free for any app you previously owned.

Why is my TV running slowly after deleting apps?

Slow performance usually comes from a weak internet connection or too many apps running at once, not storage space. If your TV is still slow after deleting apps, restart it by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. If that does not help, check your internet speed or close apps running in the background.

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.