How Do You Remove Apps on Roku? A Streaming Guru’s Guide

Removing channels (what Roku calls apps) from your Roku device is a straightforward process, thankfully. You can easily uninstall channels directly from your Roku’s home screen in a few quick steps. Here’s the definitive guide:

1. Navigate to the Channel: Using your Roku remote, navigate to the channel you wish to remove on your Roku home screen.
2. Press the Options Button: Highlight the channel icon and press the “*” (star) button on your Roku remote. This will open an options menu.
3. Select “Remove channel”: From the options menu that appears, select “Remove channel”.
4. Confirm Removal: A confirmation message will appear. Select “Remove” again to confirm your decision.
5. Channel Removal Complete: The channel will be uninstalled from your Roku. The channel icon will disappear from your home screen after a short delay, or after you refresh the screen.

That’s it! In just a few steps, you’ve successfully removed a channel from your Roku device. But let’s dive deeper and address some common questions that arise during this process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Removing Roku Channels

Roku channel management is a topic that often generates questions. To help you optimize your streaming experience, I’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions, along with the expert answers.

What Happens When I Remove a Channel on Roku?

When you remove a channel from your Roku, you are essentially uninstalling the application. This means the channel icon will disappear from your home screen, and the channel’s content will no longer be accessible on your device until you reinstall it. In most cases, your login information and any settings preferences will be deleted, however, this isn’t always the case as some channels store your data on their own servers. Any subscriptions that you pay for through Roku will still be active until cancelled.

Will Removing a Channel Cancel My Subscription?

No, removing a channel from your Roku device does not automatically cancel any associated subscriptions. If you subscribe to a channel (like Netflix or Hulu) through Roku’s billing system, you must separately cancel the subscription through your Roku account or directly through the channel’s website. To cancel a Roku subscription:

1. Sign in to your account at my.roku.com
2. Go to “Manage your subscriptions”.
3. Find the subscription you want to cancel.
4. Select “Cancel subscription”.
5. Confirm your cancellation.

Important Note: It is crucial to cancel any subscriptions before removing the channel to avoid being charged even when you are not using it.

Can I Reinstall a Removed Channel?

Absolutely! You can reinstall any removed channel from the Roku Channel Store. Simply navigate to the Channel Store from your Roku home screen, search for the channel by name, and select “Add channel”. The channel will then be reinstalled on your device. If you previously logged into the app, you will likely need to log back in.

Why Can’t I Remove Some Channels on Roku?

Certain channels, often referred to as “system channels” or “Roku-owned channels”, are pre-installed and cannot be removed. These channels are essential for the basic functionality of your Roku device. Examples might include The Roku Channel, Roku Search, and Roku Store. These system channels don’t take up too much space and are best left alone.

How Do I Reorganize Channels on My Roku Home Screen?

You can easily reorganize your channels by highlighting the channel you want to move, pressing the “*” (star) button on your remote, and selecting “Move channel”. Then, use the directional buttons on your remote to move the channel to your desired position on the home screen. This allows you to prioritize your favorite channels for easy access. This doesn’t remove any apps, it simply rearranges the order that they appear on your screen.

What’s the Difference Between Removing a Channel and Hiding a Channel?

There is no official “hide” feature on Roku. The only way to remove a channel from your home screen is to uninstall it completely, as described earlier. There are no options to hide any apps on the screen.

Does Removing a Channel Free Up Storage Space on My Roku?

Yes, removing a channel will free up storage space on your Roku device. While most channels are relatively small, some can be larger and consume significant storage space. Removing unused channels can help optimize your Roku’s performance, especially if you have an older device with limited storage.

My Roku is Frozen, and I Can’t Remove a Channel. What Do I Do?

If your Roku is frozen, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Restart Your Roku: Press and hold the Home button on your remote for about 5 seconds. Your Roku should restart automatically.
2. Power Cycle Your Roku: Unplug the Roku device from the power outlet for a few minutes, then plug it back in.
3. Factory Reset (Last Resort): If the above steps don’t work, you can perform a factory reset. Note: A factory reset will erase all your settings and channel installations. To do this, press and hold the reset button on the back or bottom of your Roku device (if it has one) for about 20 seconds. Or navigate to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset.

How Do I Add a Channel to My Roku?

Adding a channel to your Roku is easy:

1. Navigate to the Roku Channel Store: From your Roku home screen, select “Streaming Channels” or “Channel Store”.
2. Search for the Channel: Use the search function or browse categories to find the channel you want to add.
3. Add the Channel: Select the channel and then select “Add channel”. The channel will be installed and added to your home screen.

Can I Remove Channels Using the Roku Mobile App?

Yes, you can remove channels using the Roku mobile app:

1. Open the Roku mobile app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Tap on the “Devices” icon.
3. Select your Roku device from the list.
4. Tap on the “Remote” icon.
5. Use the remote within the app to follow the standard steps for removing a channel (highlight the channel on the Roku home screen, press the “*” button, and select “Remove channel”).

Why Is a Channel Still Appearing After I Removed It?

Sometimes, a channel might still appear on your home screen even after you’ve removed it. This can be due to caching issues. To resolve this:

1. Restart Your Roku: A simple restart often clears the cache and removes the lingering channel icon.
2. Check for Updates: Go to Settings > System > System update > Check now. An update might clear the cache and resolve the issue.
3. Wait: Sometimes, it just takes time for the system to fully refresh.

Can I Remove Multiple Channels at Once?

Unfortunately, Roku does not offer a feature to remove multiple channels simultaneously. You must remove each channel individually using the steps described above. This process might take a bit of time if you need to remove several channels, but it ensures you’re only removing the channels you intend to.