Manage apps on your Galaxy phone or tablet

My apps screen on Galaxy S21 Ultra

Galaxy phones and tablets are app machines! They let you browse and download all kinds of apps to fit your needs. You can also uninstall or disable apps you really don't need or use. Once you learn how to manage apps, you'll be able to maximize your device's potential.

Note: Available screens and settings may vary by wireless service provider, software version, and model.

Download apps

There are two app stores available on Galaxy phones or tablets: the Google Play Store and the Galaxy Store.

The Google Play Store can be found on the Apps screen or inside the Google folder. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Store can be found in the Samsung folder or on the Apps screen.

Pick an app store, and browse through the available apps by using the sort and search options. When you find the app you want to download, tap it, and then tap Install.

Google folder, Play Store, Galaxy Store, and Samsung folder displayed on a Galaxy phone

Note: Only apps that are compatible with your device are available for download.

Uninstall apps

If you don't need an app anymore, just get rid of it.

From the Home screen, swipe up or down to access your Apps screen. Touch and hold the app you want to uninstall, and then tap Uninstall.

Note: Some preloaded apps cannot be uninstalled.

Popup menu over app with Uninstall highlighted on a Galaxy phone

Disable preloaded apps

Do you have preloaded apps that you don't really use? You can't completely uninstall some preloaded apps, but you can disable them.

From the Home screen, swipe up or down to access your Apps screen. Touch and hold the app you want to disable, and then tap Disable.

Note: Not all preinstalled apps can be disabled.

Popup menu over app with Disable highlighted on a Galaxy phone

See which apps you've used recently

You can tap the Recents icon on the Navigation bar to see your most recently used apps and any apps that are currently running in the background. But, what if you want to know how long it's been since you've even opened an app?

  1. Open the Play Store, and tap your profile picture.

  2. Tap Manage apps & device, and then tap Manage.

  3. Make sure you are on the Installed tab at the top of the screen, and then tap the Sort by icon next to Apps & games; depending on the filter you last used, the Sort by icon may have a different name (i.e. Recently updated, Size, etc.).

  4. Tap Most used to see the apps you use the most often, or tap Least used to see the apps you use least often.

Last used selected in the sort by icon in Play Store

Reinstall paid apps and themes

If you've already purchased an app or a theme, you don't have to purchase it again. Simply reinstall it using the same account you purchased it with.

Reinstall Play Store apps

  1. If you made a purchase using the Play Store, open the Play Store, and tap your profile picture.

  2. Tap Manage apps & device, and then tap Manage.

  3. Tap the Installed drop-down menu and select Not installed. Then, select the app you want, and then tap the Install icon (the down arrow) at the top.

Not installed tab highlighted in a list of apps on a Galaxy phone

Reinstall Galaxy Store apps

  1. If you originally installed the app using the Galaxy Store, open the Galaxy Store, and then tap Menu (the three horizontal lines).

  2. Tap My apps; from the Apps tab, find the missing app and tap the Download icon.

    Download icon highlighted in the Galaxy Store

  3. If you want to reinstall a purchased theme, tap the Themes tab at the top, and then tap the Download icon.

Note: Galaxy Themes is not available on Galaxy tablets, only phones.

Hide and unhide apps

If there’s an app you don’t want to see on your Apps screen, you can hide it. This won’t remove the app from your device, but it will remove the icon so you don’t accidentally select it. You can also unhide apps if you change your mind later.

Hide an app

  1. To hide an app, touch and hold an empty spot on a Home screen, and then tap Settings.

  2. Swipe to and tap Hide apps on Home and Apps screens, and then select the app you want to hide. You can select more than one app if desired. The app will appear at the top of the screen, under Hidden apps.

    Hide apps highlighted on a Galaxy phone

  3. Once you've selected all the apps you want hidden, tap Done.

    4. Unhide an app

  1. Touch and hold an empty spot on a Home screen, and then tap Settings.

  2. Tap Hide apps on Home and Apps screens, and then deselect the app under Hidden apps by tapping the red minus icon.

  3. Tap Done. Now, your app will appear in the Apps screen again.

Manage app permissions

To use certain features, an app may ask your permission to access some of your information. For example, Email may ask for permission to see your Contacts, so it can import your friends' contact info. If you've allowed a permission by accident, you can always change the settings.

Navigate to and open Settings, and then tap Apps. Tap the desired app, and then tap Permissions.

Under Allowed or Not allowed, you can select your permission preferences. For example, you can select Allow only while using the app, Ask every time, or Don’t allow. Keep in mind that some apps may have additional options to choose from.

Note: Android will reset permissions for any unused apps and then notify you. You can grant permissions again when opening the app.

List of Permissions for AR Zone on a Galaxy phone

Change the default apps

Some options are always performed by the same app. For example, if you open a link, the Internet app will automatically open if it's set as the default browser. If you'd like, you can change certain default apps.

Navigate to and open Settings. Tap Apps, and then tap Choose default apps. From here, you can choose the category you want to adjust (i.e. Browser app), and then select the app you want to make the default.

A list of Default apps on a Galaxy phone

Check for app updates

Keeping your apps updated will ensure they run smoothly. You can update your apps using the Play Store or Galaxy Store.

Update from the Play Store

  1. Navigate to and open the Play Store, and then tap your profile picture.

  2. Tap Manage apps & device, and then tap Updates available.

  3. Next, tap Update next to your desired app. You can also tap Update all in the top right corner.

Manage apps & device tab highlighted for check for app updates on Galaxy Phone

Update from the Galaxy Store

  1. Navigate to and open the Galaxy Store, and then tap Menu (the three horizontal lines).

  2. Tap Updates, and then tap the Update icon next to your desired app. You can also tap Update all in the top right corner.

Move apps to a microSD card

If all of your apps are taking up a lot of room on your phone or tablet, but you don't want to delete any of them, you can try moving them to a microSD card.

You'll still be able to use the app, but it won't be taking up any more of your precious storage space.

App Storage options with Change highlighted on a Galaxy phone

Other answers that might help

Contact
samsung logo action minus
Contact us
We're here for you.
samsung logo action minus
Call or Text Us Give us a call
How can we help you?
1-800-SAMSUNG 1-800-SAMSUNG
1-800-726-7864 1-800-726-7864
  • Mobile 8 AM - 12 AM EST 7 days a week
  • Home Electronics & Appliance 8 AM - 12 AM EST 7 days a week
  • IT/Computing 8 AM - 9 PM EST 7 days a week
  • Text Support 24 hours a day 7 Days a Week
Was this content helpful?
We're here for you

Contact Samsung Support

Contact us online through chat and get support from an expert on your computer, mobile device or tablet. Support is also available on your mobile device through the Samsung Members App.
Get support
Previous Next
Table of contents