Deleting an app from your Chromebook takes about 30 seconds

Removing an app from a Chromebook is simpler than on a phone or Windows computer. You right-click the app icon in your shelf or app drawer, select "Remove from Chrome," and it is gone. The app no longer takes up storage space on your device. If you change your mind later, you can reinstall it from the Google Play Store or Chrome Web Store in the same way you installed it the first time.

The process is the same whether the app is a web app (something that runs in your browser), an Android app (from Google Play), or a Chrome extension. Chromebooks do not have a separate "uninstall" menu like Windows does — deletion happens right where you see the app.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any app icon in your shelf or app drawer and select "Remove from Chrome" to delete it when ready.
  • Deleting an app does not erase any files you created with it — those stay in your Google Drive or local storage unless you remove them separately.
  • You can reinstall any app you delete later by opening the Google Play Store or Chrome Web Store and searching for it again.
  • If an app is pinned to your shelf, removing it from the shelf does not delete the app itself — you must right-click and choose "Remove from Chrome" to fully delete it.

How to delete an app from your shelf

Your shelf is the row of icons at the bottom of your screen. To remove an app from it, right-click the icon and look for "Remove from Chrome" in the menu that appears. Click that option and the app is deleted.

If you only see "Remove from shelf" instead, that option only unpins the app from the shelf — it does not delete it. The app will still be in your app drawer. To fully remove it, you need to right-click again and choose "Remove from Chrome."

How to delete an app from your app drawer

Your app drawer is the grid of all your apps, usually opened by clicking the circle of dots in the bottom left corner of your screen. Scroll through to find the app you want to remove, right-click it, and select "Remove from Chrome."

The app disappears from the drawer when ready. If it was also pinned to your shelf, it will no longer appear there either.

What happens to your files when you delete an app

Deleting an app does not delete the files you made with it. If you used Google Docs to write a document, that document stays in your Google Drive even after you remove the Google Docs app. If you used a photo editor to create an image and saved it to your Downloads folder, the image file remains in Downloads.

The only thing that disappears is the app itself and any temporary data it stored — like login information or app settings. Your actual work is safe. If you want to remove those files too, you will need to delete them separately from Google Drive, your Downloads folder, or wherever you saved them.

How to reinstall an app you deleted

Open the Google Play Store (for Android apps) or the Chrome Web Store (for web apps and extensions) by clicking the app drawer and searching for "Google Play Store" or "Chrome Web Store." Search for the app by name, click it, and select the button to install it. The app returns to your device with the same name and icon.

Your files do not come back automatically — they are still where you left them. But the app itself is ready to use again. You may need to log back in if the app requires an account.

Freeing up storage space by removing apps

Chromebooks have limited storage compared to laptops, so removing apps you do not use regularly can help. When you delete an app, you free up the space it occupied. The amount varies — a small web app might use almost nothing, while a large Android app could use several hundred megabytes.

If your Chromebook is running low on storage, check your storage settings by clicking the time in the bottom right, selecting "Settings," then "Device" and "Storage management." This shows you which apps are taking the most space. You can delete the largest ones you no longer need.

Removing Chrome extensions you no longer use

Chrome extensions are small tools that add features to your browser — like ad blockers, password managers, or grammar checkers. To remove one, right-click its icon in the top right corner of your browser and select "Remove from Chrome." The extension is deleted when ready.

If you do not see the extension icon, it may be hidden. Click the puzzle piece icon in the top right corner of your browser, find the extension in the list, and click the trash icon next to it. The extension is removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo deleting an app?

No, deletion is permanent. But you can reinstall the app from the Google Play Store or Chrome Web Store at any time. Your files created with that app remain on your device unless you deleted them separately.

What if I delete an app by mistake?

Open the Google Play Store or Chrome Web Store, search for the app by name, and install it again. The process takes less than a minute. You will need to log back in if the app requires an account.

Does deleting an app free up storage on my Chromebook?

Yes. Removing an app removes the space it used. If you are running low on storage, deleting large apps you do not use regularly is one way to make room for new files or apps.

Will deleting an app erase my documents or photos?

No. Files you created with an app stay on your device or in Google Drive. Only the app itself is removed. You can still open those files with a different app or reinstall the original app later.

How do I delete an app that is pinned to my shelf?

Right-click the app icon and select "Remove from Chrome." If you only see "Remove from shelf," click that first to unpin it, then right-click again and choose "Remove from Chrome" to fully delete it.