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To delete a removable app on a Samsung Galaxy, open the Apps screen, touch and hold the app, tap Uninstall, and confirm if prompted. If Uninstall is not available, check Settings > Apps: depending on the app and device, you may be able to disable it or hide its icon instead.
Choose the right action: uninstall, disable, or hide
| Action | What it does | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Uninstall | Removes a removable app from the device. Its in-app data may also be deleted. | You no longer want the app and have checked whether you need its data. |
| Disable | Stops a supported preloaded app and removes it from the Apps screen, but leaves it installed. You can enable it again in Settings. | The app cannot be uninstalled, but you want its functions stopped. |
| Hide | Removes the app icon from the Home and Apps screens. The app remains installed and usable. | You want a less cluttered screen without changing the app’s installed state. |
How to uninstall an app on a Samsung Galaxy
- Open the Apps screen by swiping up or down from a Home screen.
- Touch and hold the app you want to remove.
- Tap Uninstall, then confirm if prompted.
- If the app menu does not show Uninstall, open Settings > Apps, select the app, and check which actions are available.
Samsung’s Galaxy app-management instructions describe the Apps-screen route. The exact controls can differ by model, carrier, and software version.
What to do when a preloaded app cannot be removed
Preloaded apps do not all have the same restrictions. Samsung says some can be uninstalled, some can only be disabled, and some essential apps may not offer either option. Its UK guidance names Phone, Messages, Contacts, Gallery, and My Files as examples of essential apps, but that list should not be treated as universal for every Galaxy model or market.
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In Settings > Apps, select the app and tap Disable if the button is offered. Disabling stops the app’s functions and removes it from the Apps screen while it remains on the device. To restore it, find it in Settings > Apps and tap Enable. Not every preloaded app can be disabled.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Hide the icon if you only want to tidy the screen
Use the device’s Home screen settings to hide an app when that control is available. Hiding removes its icon from the Home and Apps screens; it does not uninstall or disable the app. Samsung’s UK guidance on pre-installed apps explains this distinction and notes that menus can vary by location, model, and app version.
Check app data before uninstalling
Uninstalling may delete data stored inside the app. Samsung Japan gives game scores as an example and advises checking with the app provider about data management. Before removing an app whose local data matters, check whether it is backed up or synced and follow the app provider’s guidance. This does not establish that online account data is automatically deleted.
Rank #2
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
If you reinstall an app later through the Play Store or Galaxy Store, you may need to sign in again or reconfigure its settings. Reinstalling does not necessarily restore the previous session or configuration automatically.
Why the steps may look different on your device
Samsung notes that screens and settings can vary by wireless provider, software version, and model. The instructions apply to Samsung Galaxy support contexts, but no single menu sequence is guaranteed across every Galaxy phone or tablet. If the app’s shortcut does not offer the expected action, look it up under Settings > Apps and use only the controls shown there.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
For additional official details, see Samsung’s Canada guide to managing Galaxy apps, its Japan instructions on uninstalling apps and app data, and the US guide to app management.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
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