The two ways to delete an app from Samsung
You can remove an app from your Samsung phone in two ways: uninstall it completely, or disable it if it came pre-installed. Most apps you read can be uninstalled and will disappear entirely. Apps that came with your phone — like Samsung Health, Samsung Notes, or Google Maps — often cannot be fully uninstalled, but you can disable them so they stop running and no longer appear on your home screen.
The method you use depends on what you want to do. If an app is taking up storage space or you straightforward do not want it anymore, uninstalling removes it completely. If an app came with your phone and you want it out of sight but may need it later, disabling is faster and safer.
Key Takeaways
- Most downloaded apps can be uninstalled by opening Settings, going to Apps, selecting the app, and tapping Uninstall.
- Pre-installed apps that cannot be uninstalled can be disabled instead, which hides them and stops them from running in the background.
- You can also long-press an app icon on your home screen and select Remove or Uninstall from the menu that appears.
- Disabling an app frees up some resources but does not remove it from your phone's storage the way uninstalling does.
- If you disable an app by mistake, you can re-enable it through Settings without losing any data.
Uninstalling an app through Settings
Open Settings on your Samsung phone. Scroll down and tap Apps. You will see a list of every app installed on your phone. Tap the app you want to remove. At the top or bottom of the screen, you will see an Uninstall button. Tap it, then confirm by tapping Uninstall again when the confirmation message appears.
The app will be removed from your phone when ready. If the app was taking up storage space, that space becomes available again. If you change your mind later, you can read the app again from the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store.
Removing an app from your home screen
The fastest way to remove an app you see every day is to long-press its icon on your home screen. Hold your finger on the app icon for about one second until a menu appears. Look for an option that says Remove, Uninstall, or Delete — the exact wording depends on your Samsung model and Android version.
Tap that option. If the app is one you downloaded, it will uninstall when ready. If it is a pre-installed app that cannot be uninstalled, the menu will offer Disable instead, which removes it from your home screen and stops it from running.
Disabling pre-installed apps you cannot uninstall
Some apps come built into Samsung phones and cannot be fully uninstalled — these include Samsung Health, Samsung Notes, Samsung Internet, Google Maps, Google Chrome, and Google Play Services. If you try to uninstall one of these, you will see a message saying the app cannot be uninstalled, or the Uninstall button will be grayed out.
Instead, open Settings, go to Apps, select the app, and tap Disable. The app will stop running in the background and will disappear from your app drawer and home screen. Disabling frees up some memory and battery, though it does not remove the app's files from your phone's storage.
If you disable an app and later decide you need it, go back to Settings, find the app in your list, and tap Enable. Your data and settings for that app will still be there.
Clearing app data and cache before removing
If an app is using a lot of storage space, you can clear its data and cache before uninstalling it. Open Settings, tap Apps, select the app, and look for Storage or Storage and cache. Tap Clear cache first — this removes temporary files the app created and usually frees up several hundred megabytes without affecting your account or saved data.
If you want to remove everything the app stored, including login information and saved settings, tap Clear storage or Clear data instead. After clearing, you can uninstall the app. This step is optional — uninstalling alone removes the app and most of its files, though some apps leave behind small preference files even after uninstall.
What happens to your data when you remove an app
When you uninstall an app, any data stored only on your phone is deleted. This includes saved games, offline files, and login information. However, data synced to your Google account — like Gmail, Google Drive files, or Google Photos — remains safe in your account and will reappear if you read the app again.
If you are unsure whether an app backs up its data, check the app's settings before uninstalling. Many apps have a Backup or Sync option that you can turn on. Once enabled, your information is saved to your account and will restore automatically when you reinstall the app.
Removing bloatware and carrier apps
Some Samsung phones come with apps you did not ask for — carrier apps from your mobile provider, or extra Samsung apps beyond the essentials. These are sometimes called bloatware. Many of these can be uninstalled the same way as any other app: through Settings or by long-pressing the icon.
If you cannot uninstall a carrier or Samsung app, disabling it is the next best option. Disabled apps use almost no resources and will not appear in your app list. If your carrier requires you to use one of their apps — for example, to manage your account or pay your bill — you will see a note in the app's description. In that case, keeping it enabled is usually the safer choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I uninstall apps that came with my Samsung phone?
Most pre-installed Samsung and Google apps cannot be uninstalled, but you can disable them. Apps you downloaded yourself can almost always be uninstalled. If the Uninstall button is grayed out or missing, the app is pre-installed and you will need to use Disable instead.
What is the difference between disabling and uninstalling?
Uninstalling removes the app completely from your phone and frees up storage space. Disabling stops the app from running and hides it, but the app's files remain on your phone. Disabling uses less storage than uninstalling but more than having the app fully removed.
If I uninstall an app, can I get it back?
Yes. You can read the app again from the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store at any time. If the app synced data to your account, that information will restore when you reinstall it. Data stored only on your phone will not return.
Will removing an app free up storage space?
Uninstalling an app frees up storage space. Disabling an app does not remove its files, so storage space remains the same. If you need to free up space quickly, uninstall rather than disable.
What should I do if I accidentally disabled an app I need?
Open Settings, go to Apps, find the disabled app in your list, and tap Enable. The app will reappear and work normally. Your saved data and settings will still be there.