Add and Remove Apps in Slack: Full Guide

This guide shows you how to add apps to your Slack workspace to bring in tools like Google Drive, Zoom, or project trackers, and how to remove them when you no longer need them. You will learn the exact menu paths for both actions, along with tips for managing app permissions and troubleshooting common issues. No special admin rights are needed to add most apps, though some workspace-level restrictions may apply.

What You’ll Need

• A Slack account with permission to install apps (most members can do this).
• For removing apps: either the app owner’s permission or workspace admin rights, depending on how the app was installed.
• If the app requires authentication (like Google Drive), have your login credentials ready.

Step-by-Step

Adding an App

1. Open Slack on your desktop app or in a web browser. This works the same on both.
2. Click your workspace name in the top-left corner to open the menu.
3. Select Administration from the dropdown, then click Manage apps. This opens the Slack App Directory in a new tab.
4. Alternatively, go directly to slack.com/apps in your browser and ensure you are signed in to the correct workspace.
5. Browse or search for the app you want. You can filter by category like “Project Management” or “Communication”.
6. Click the app’s name to open its details page. Read the description and check what permissions it requests.
7. Click the green Add to Slack button.
8. A permissions screen appears, listing what the app can access (e.g., “Post messages as you”, “Read messages in channels”). Review this carefully.
9. Click Allow to install the app. Some apps will then ask you to sign in to their own service (like Google or Zoom) to connect your account.
10. Once connected, the app will appear in your left sidebar under “Apps”. You can start using it immediately.

Removing an App

1. Open Slack and click your workspace name in the top-left corner.
2. Select Administration, then Manage apps.
3. In the App Directory page that opens, click the Manage tab at the top (next to “Browse”).
4. You will see a list of all installed apps. Find the one you want to remove.
5. Click the app’s name to open its configuration page.
6. Scroll down to the Settings section (or look for a red “Remove” button).
7. Click Remove App or Uninstall. A confirmation dialog appears.
8. Confirm by clicking Yes, remove this app. The app is now uninstalled from your workspace.
9. If the app was added to specific channels, those channel links are also removed automatically.

Common Mistakes

• Installing to the wrong workspace: If you belong to multiple Slack workspaces, the App Directory may default to the last one you used. Always check the workspace name in the top-left before clicking “Add to Slack”.
• Ignoring permission prompts: Some apps request broad access like “Read all messages”. Granting this to an unknown app can expose private conversations. Read each permission line before clicking Allow.
• Removing an app but not its tokens: In some cases, the app’s connection to third-party services (like Google) remains active. After removing, go to that service’s security settings and revoke access if you want full removal.
• Confusing “Remove” with “Disable”: Disabling an app pauses it but keeps its settings. Removing deletes everything. Make sure you choose the right action.
• Not checking channel-specific apps: Some apps are installed per-channel via shortcuts. Removing from the App Directory may not remove channel shortcuts. Check the channel’s details for app shortcuts.

Tips

• Use the App Directory search filters to find apps that are “Approved” by Slack or have high user ratings.
• Before adding an app, check its Privacy Policy link on the app’s directory page to see how your data is used.
• If you are an admin, set up an app approval policy in workspace settings to require admin approval before members can install new apps.
• For frequently used apps, pin them to your sidebar by clicking the app name and selecting “Pin to sidebar” for quick access.
• After removing an app, clear any leftover webhooks or slash commands in your workspace settings to avoid confusion.

Troubleshooting

• “Add to Slack” button is greyed out: This usually means your workspace admin has restricted app installations. Contact your admin to request approval or ask them to install it for you.
• App appears but does not work: Try removing the app and re-adding it. If that fails, check if the app’s own service (like Google Drive) is having an outage.
• Cannot find the “Manage” tab in the App Directory: You may be looking at the public directory rather than your workspace’s admin view. Click “Manage” at the top right of the directory page, or go directly to slack.com/apps/manage.
• Remove button is missing: If you are not a workspace admin and the app was installed by an admin, you may not see the remove option. Ask your admin to uninstall it.
• App still sends messages after removal: Wait a few minutes for Slack to fully process the removal. If messages persist, the app may have a webhook still active—check your workspace’s incoming webhooks settings and delete it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add an app to only one channel?

Yes. Many apps let you choose specific channels during installation. For apps that don’t, you can add the app to a channel by clicking the channel name, selecting “Integrations”, and adding the app from there.

Do I need to be an admin to remove an app?

Not always. If you installed the app yourself, you can usually remove it. However, apps installed by an admin may require admin rights to uninstall. Check with your workspace admin if you don’t see the remove option.

Will removing an app delete its data?

Removing an app from Slack deletes its Slack-side configuration and tokens. However, data stored on the app’s own servers (like files in Google Drive) remains. You may need to delete that data separately.

Can I reinstall an app after removing it?

Yes. Reinstalling is the same as adding a new app. You will need to reconfigure its settings and permissions from scratch.

What happens to messages sent by the app after removal?

Messages already posted remain in the channels. They are not deleted. Only the app’s ability to send new messages is removed.

How do I see what permissions an app has before installing?

On the app’s directory page, scroll down to the “Permissions” section. It lists all requested scopes, such as “Read messages”, “Post messages”, or “Access files”. Review this before clicking Allow.

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