Manage apps on your Galaxy phone or tablet

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.
Hand holding a Galaxy phone with the screen displaying various app icons and a popup menu for the Solitaire app, offering options like 'Select', 'Add to Home', and 'Uninstall' Hand holding a Galaxy phone with the screen displaying various app icons and a popup menu for the Solitaire app, offering options like 'Select', 'Add to Home', and 'Uninstall'
Hand holding a Galaxy phone with the screen displaying various app icons and a popup menu for the Solitaire app, offering options like 'Select', 'Add to Home', and 'Uninstall' Hand holding a Galaxy phone with the screen displaying various app icons and a popup menu for the Solitaire app, offering options like 'Select', 'Add to Home', and 'Uninstall'

Manage apps on your Galaxy phone or tablet

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 and tablets: the Google Play Store and the Galaxy Store.

Galaxy phone screen showing a highlighted Play Store icon among other app icons on the dock

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.

 

Choose 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.

 

If you’re having trouble downloading apps on your device, you can check out our app installation guide for assistance.

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

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

 

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

Galaxy phone screen displaying a popup menu for the Solitaire app with options to 'Select', 'Add to Home', or 'Uninstall'

Note
Some preloaded apps cannot be uninstalled.
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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 a Home screen, swipe up or down to access your Apps screen. Touch and hold the app you want to disable, and then tap Disable.
Disable button highlighted

Note
Not all pre-installed apps can be disabled.
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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 icon.
  2. Tap Manage apps & device, and then tap the Manage tab.
  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 (such as 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.
    Least used highlighted in the Play Store
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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 icon.
  2. Tap Manage apps & device, and then tap the Manage tab.
  3. Tap the Installed drop-down menu and select Not installed. Then, select the app you want, and then tap Install.
    Not installed menu highlighted in the Play Store

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
  3. If you want to reinstall a purchased theme, tap the Themes tab at the top, then select the theme, and then tap Download.
Note
Galaxy Themes is not available on Galaxy tablets, only phones.
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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.
    Galaxy phone screen displaying settings with the option 'Hide apps on Home and Apps screens' highlighted
  3. Once you've selected all the apps you want hidden, tap Done.

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.
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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.

  1. Navigate to and open Settings, and then tap Apps. Tap the desired app, and then tap Permissions.
  2. 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.
    Galaxy phone screen displaying app permission settings with 'Camera', 'Microphone', and 'Photos and videos' allowed, and 'Location' not allowed
  3. 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.
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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, then tap Apps, and then tap Choose default apps. From here, you can choose the category you want to adjust (such as the Browser app), and then select the app you want to make the default.

List of Default apps

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

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

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.
    Screen of a Samsung Galaxy phone showing the Galaxy Store interface with highlighted 'Updates' button among other options including 'My apps', 'Downloading', and 'Wish list'.
  3. You can also tap Update all in the top right corner.
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Move apps to a microSD card

Change button highlighted in the Storage screen of an app 

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.

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