Learn How to Disable Samsung TV Plus

Understanding Samsung TV Plus and Why You Might Want to Disable It

Samsung TV Plus is a free, ad-supported streaming service that comes pre-installed on many Samsung smart televisions. It offers live TV channels and on-demand content without requiring a separate subscription. The service launched in 2018 and has grown to include over 150 channels in the United States, according to Samsung's platform information. These channels feature news, sports, entertainment, movies, and lifestyle content from various networks and content partners.

The service operates by displaying advertisements throughout programming, which is how Samsung maintains the free model. While some users find Samsung TV Plus useful, others prefer to disable it for several reasons. Some people want to reduce clutter in their TV's home menu, minimize data usage, or simply prefer using other streaming platforms they already subscribe to. Disabling Samsung TV Plus doesn't delete any other apps or settings on your television—it only removes the app from your active services.

Understanding what Samsung TV Plus does and why you might want to disable it is the first step in managing your TV experience. The process is straightforward and reversible, meaning you can re-enable it later if you change your mind. Different Samsung TV models from various years may have slightly different menu structures, but the general approach remains consistent across most Samsung smart TVs manufactured in the last several years.

Practical takeaway: Before disabling Samsung TV Plus, determine whether you actually use the service by checking your viewing history over the past month. If you find you never watch it, disabling it will streamline your TV menu and may slightly reduce background data usage.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Newer Samsung TV Models (2020 and Later)

Newer Samsung smart TVs, particularly those manufactured from 2020 onward, run the Tizen operating system and feature a modernized interface. To disable Samsung TV Plus on these models, begin by pressing the Home button on your remote control. This opens the main home screen where you'll see your apps and services organized in rows. Look for the Samsung TV Plus icon, which typically displays the Samsung TV Plus logo—a colorful design featuring the service name.

Once you locate the Samsung TV Plus app on your home screen, navigate to it using your remote's directional buttons. Press the up arrow to select it, then press and hold the Select button (the center button on your remote's directional pad) for 2-3 seconds. A context menu will appear with several options. You should see an option labeled "Remove from Home" or "Delete" depending on your specific model. Select this option using your remote.

After selecting the remove option, Samsung TV Plus will disappear from your home screen immediately. However, removing it from the home screen differs from completely disabling the app. If you want to prevent it from running in the background entirely, you should also navigate to Settings, then select Apps, and find Samsung TV Plus in your apps list. Select it and choose "Disable" if this option is available, or "Force Stop" to halt its current operation. Some models may also offer an "Uninstall Updates" option, which can revert the app to its original state.

Practical takeaway: Write down the exact model number of your Samsung TV before beginning this process. You can find this on your TV's back panel or in the Settings menu under Support Information. This information helps if you need to reference model-specific instructions later.

Disabling Samsung TV Plus on Older Samsung TV Models (2019 and Earlier)

Older Samsung smart TV models use different software and menu structures compared to newer ones. If your Samsung TV was manufactured in 2019 or earlier, the process to disable Samsung TV Plus may differ slightly. On these older models, start by pressing the Smart Hub button on your remote, or if your remote doesn't have this button, press Home and look for the Smart Hub section within the menu.

Within Smart Hub, you'll see your apps and services displayed as icons. Samsung TV Plus may be pinned to your home area or located in your apps list. If it's pinned, navigate to it and press and hold the Select button until a menu appears. Choose the option to "Remove" it from your Smart Hub. If Samsung TV Plus is located in your apps list rather than pinned to the home screen, you may need to navigate to Settings instead to disable it more thoroughly.

For older models, go to Settings by pressing the Menu button on your remote. Navigate to Applications or Apps, then look for an option called "Manage Applications" or "Running Applications." Scroll through the list to find Samsung TV Plus. Once selected, you should see options to stop the application or disable it. Some older models may not offer a disable option but will allow you to "Stop" the application and "Clear Cache," which removes stored data associated with the app.

The main difference between older and newer Samsung TVs is that older models may not completely remove Samsung TV Plus from background processes, but removing it from your visible apps and stopping it will prevent it from appearing in your menu. If you want to fully re-enable it later on an older model, you can usually go back to the same location and select "Enable" or search for it in your full apps list.

Practical takeaway: If you're uncertain whether your TV is an older or newer model, check the Tizen version by going to Settings, then About This TV. Models running Tizen 5.0 or higher (2020+) use the newer menu system, while earlier versions use the older system.

Alternative Method: Using Your Remote Control Shortcuts

Many Samsung TV users aren't aware that their remote controls have shortcut features that can help manage apps more efficiently. Some Samsung remote models allow you to directly edit your home screen layout without navigating through multiple menu screens. This can be particularly useful if you want to remove Samsung TV Plus quickly without diving into the Settings menu.

On certain Samsung remote models, you can press the Home button, then use the up arrow on the directional pad to navigate to the top area of your screen where editing options may appear. Look for an "Edit" or "Customize" button that appears near the top or bottom of your screen. Selecting this option puts your home screen into edit mode, where you can directly manipulate which apps and services appear on your primary display. While in edit mode, navigate to the Samsung TV Plus icon and look for a delete, remove, or X button to eliminate it from your view.

Different Samsung remote models have varying capabilities, so not all remotes will have this functionality. If you have a Samsung Smart Remote (the newer model with fewer buttons and touch-sensitive areas), the process may involve swiping or using voice commands. Some newer Samsung TVs allow you to say "Remove Samsung TV Plus" into the microphone on your remote, though voice recognition may require the service to be disabled first in your privacy settings.

If your remote doesn't support these shortcuts, don't worry—the standard navigation through Settings that was described in previous sections will work on all models. However, exploring your remote's capabilities first can save time and make the process feel more intuitive.

Practical takeaway: Spend a few minutes exploring your remote's buttons and features. Many Samsung remote models have shortcuts for common tasks that can improve your overall TV experience beyond just managing Samsung TV Plus.

Managing Samsung TV Plus Without Fully Disabling It

If you want to keep Samsung TV Plus on your TV but simply reduce its prominence or control when you see it, several options exist between leaving it fully enabled and completely disabling it. One approach is to move the Samsung TV Plus app to a secondary area of your home screen or organize it into a folder with other apps you use less frequently. This keeps the app available without taking up prime real estate on your primary screen.

Another option involves adjusting your TV's notification settings related to Samsung TV Plus. Go to Settings, then Notifications, and look for Samsung TV Plus in the list of apps that can send notifications. You can turn off notifications for this app, which prevents pop-up alerts about new channels or programming. This approach maintains the service's availability while reducing interruptions during your regular TV viewing.

You can also control data usage by adjusting streaming quality settings within the Samsung TV Plus app itself. Open the app, navigate to Settings within Samsung TV Plus (not your TV's main settings), and look for options related to video quality. Selecting "Low" or "Medium" quality instead of "High" will reduce how much internet bandwidth the app consumes when running in the background or when you do decide to watch it.

If you have concerns about privacy or data collection, you can adjust privacy settings within your TV's main Settings menu. Look for options related to "Viewing Information