Maybe you are rebranding, switching OTT providers, sunsetting an old app, or consolidating several into one. Whatever the reason, taking your app off the streaming stores is not a single action - every platform has its own process, its own terminology, and its own timeline. Some let you do it yourself in a couple of clicks; others need a support request and a manual review. Here is how to remove your app from all eight platforms OTT Engine publishes to, what each store calls it, and how long it takes.
The 8 platforms, 6 places to do it
The eight platforms you publish to collapse into six places to manage removal, because Apple TV and iOS share App Store Connect, and Android TV and Android share the Google Play Console:
Use the table as a quick reference, then jump to the per-platform steps below.
| Platform(s) | Where to do it | Self-serve? | What it is called | Review time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roku | Roku contact form | Request | App takedown or Transfer request | Several days |
| Amazon Fire TV | Amazon Developer Console | Self-serve | Suppress | ~2 business days |
| Apple TV + iOS | App Store Connect | Self-serve | Removed from Sale, or delete record | Within hours |
| Android TV + Android | Google Play Console | Self-serve | Unpublish / make unavailable | Within hours |
| Samsung (Tizen) | Samsung Seller Office | Self-serve | Suspend, or Terminate | 3-5 days to terminate |
| LG (webOS) | LG Seller Lounge | Request | Stop Service | LG review |
Roku
Roku has no self-serve "remove" button for a published channel - you request a takedown through Roku's support form.
- Open the Roku contact form at
https://developer.roku.com/contact. - Set the topic to "App takedown or Transfer request".
- Give your channel name and Channel ID, the developer account, and your reason, then submit.
Roku reviews the request manually, so it takes a few business days. Taking the channel down stops new installs, but viewers who already added it may keep it until you also switch off the content feed behind it.
Amazon Fire TV
Fire TV apps are managed in the Amazon Developer Console, and removal is self-serve.
- Sign in to the Amazon Developer Console and open your app.
- Choose Suppress - Amazon's term for taking an app off the store.
- Pick a reason when prompted and confirm.
Amazon follows up by email, usually within two business days. Suppressing hides the app from new shoppers; customers who already own it keep access, and Amazon retains the record rather than deleting it outright.
Apple TV and iOS
Apple TV (tvOS) and iPhone or iPad (iOS) apps live in the same place, App Store Connect, so you handle both there.
- To take it off the store but keep the record, mark the app Removed from Sale (make it unavailable in all regions). You can restore it later.
- To remove it permanently, delete the app record entirely. This cannot be undone, and the app name may be released for reuse.
Either way, people who already downloaded it keep the app until they delete it themselves.
Android TV and Android (Google Play)
Android TV apps and Android phone apps share one console, the Google Play Console.
- Open the app in Play Console and go to App availability.
- Set the status to Unpublished - Google now also describes this as making the app unavailable.
Unpublishing removes it from the store for new users; existing users keep their installed copy. Permanent deletion is only possible when the app is already unpublished, has fewer than 100 active installs, and is non-monetized - otherwise you raise a support ticket.
Samsung (Tizen)
Samsung Smart TV apps are managed in Samsung Tizen TV Seller Office, which gives you two options.
- Suspended stops service temporarily; you can restore it immediately, with no approval needed.
- Terminated stops service permanently and goes through Samsung review, typically three to five business days, after which Samsung emails you the result.
Use Suspend if you might bring the app back; use Terminate to remove it for good.
LG (webOS)
LG webOS TV apps are taken down through the LG Seller Lounge (seller.lgappstv.com), and it is a request-and-review process.
- Sign in to the LG Seller Lounge.
- Open App Management and select the registered TV app you want to remove.
- Change its distribution or service status to Stop Service (unpublish).
- Submit the request.
LG's operations team reviews and processes the takedown before the app leaves the LG Content Store, so it is not instant.
Before you pull the app down
A removal is hard to undo cleanly, so run this checklist first:
- Export your analytics and anything else you need from each store's console while you still have access.
- Decide what happens to the content feed or backend - removing a listing does not stop a feed that installed apps still call.
- Handle active subscriptions and billing so paying users are not charged for an app they can no longer get.
- Tell your users where to go instead, especially if you are moving to a new app or provider.
- Keep records of every request and confirmation; Roku, LG, and a Samsung termination only confirm by email.
Unlisting or unpublishing hides your app from new users, but existing installs often keep working until you also shut off the backend feed they pull from. Plan for both, not just the store listing.
The bottom line
There is no single switch that removes your app everywhere - each store has its own process, and the wording matters: suppress, removed from sale, unpublish, terminate, stop service. Work through the six portals above, keep the confirmation emails, and retire the backend feed so old installs stop pulling content. OTT Engine manages your presence across all of these platforms and can guide you through a takedown or migration on any of them - though the request itself has to come from you, the app owner. Book a demo to talk it through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing my app delete it for people who already installed it?
Usually not right away. On most platforms, unlisting or unpublishing only stops new installs - people who already have the app keep it until they delete it, and it often keeps working until you turn off the content feed behind it.
What is the difference between unlisting, unpublishing, and deleting?
Unlisting or unpublishing (Amazon's "suppress," Apple's "removed from sale," Google's "unpublish," Samsung's "suspend") hides the app but keeps the record so you can restore it. Deleting removes the record permanently and is often irreversible. Most takedowns only need an unlist.
How long does removal take on each platform?
Self-serve stores are fast: Apple and Google take effect within hours, and Amazon confirms within about two business days. Request-based ones take longer - Roku and LG are reviewed manually, and Samsung's permanent "terminate" runs three to five business days.
Do I have to remove my app from every store separately?
Yes. There is no central dashboard across Roku, Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung, and LG, so you repeat the process in each store's own console or support form.
Will removing my app free up the app name?
Sometimes. Permanently deleting a record (for example in App Store Connect) can release the name for reuse, while a temporary unlist or suspend keeps the name reserved to you. Check each store's rules before you count on it.
Can OTT Engine remove or migrate my apps for me?
No. OTT Engine does not own your app, so we cannot file a takedown or transfer on your behalf - the stores only accept the request from the app's owner, through your own developer account or support form. We can point you to the right place and walk you through the exact steps for each platform, but you, as the account holder, submit the request.