Android TV · Apps

Install, update, uninstall, and manage installed apps

Settings → Apps lists every installed app along with options to force stop, clear cache, clear data, uninstall, or move an app to the home screen. The Google Play Store handles installs and updates, and can be set to auto-update apps in the background.

What you should know

  • System apps that came pre-installed generally can't be fully uninstalled, only disabled, on most Android TV devices.
  • Clearing an app's cache frees storage without losing sign-in status, while clearing data resets the app entirely, including logins.
  • Auto-update settings for apps are controlled from within the Google Play Store app, not the system Apps settings menu.

Why it matters

A crashing or frozen streaming app is often fixed faster by clearing its cache or force-stopping it from Settings → Apps than by restarting the whole TV.

Best practices

  • Force stop and clear the cache of an app before uninstalling and reinstalling it — that alone resolves most freezing or crashing issues.
  • Periodically uninstall apps you no longer use to free up storage for updates to the ones you do.

Common problems and fixes

An app won't open or crashes immediately
Go to Settings → Apps → [app name] → Clear cache first; if it still fails, try Clear data, which will require signing back in.
Play Store shows an app as installed but it's not on the home screen
Open the app list under Settings → Apps, select the app, and choose "Add to Home screen" or a similar pin option.

Tips and tricks

  • Settings → Apps → See all apps often has a hidden filter to show system apps as well as user-installed ones, useful for tracking down what's using storage.

Frequently asked questions

Does uninstalling an app delete my account or watch history?

No — your account and history are tied to your login with that service, not stored only on the TV, so reinstalling and signing back in restores them.