The fastest way to add apps to your Samsung TV
Most Samsung Smart TVs let you read apps directly from the TV itself using the remote control. You open the app store built into your TV, search for the app you want, and install it in a few clicks. The exact steps depend on which Samsung TV model you have — older models use a different menu system than newer ones — but the process takes less than five minutes once you know where to look.
Your TV needs to be connected to the internet (either by WiFi or ethernet cable) before you can read anything. If your TV is not yet online, connect it first through the network settings in your TV's main menu.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Smart TVs have a built-in app store you access from the home screen using your remote, and most popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video are available there.
- Newer Samsung TVs (2016 and later) use the Samsung TV Plus app store, while older models use a different system called Apps or Smart Hub.
- Your TV must be connected to WiFi or ethernet before you can read apps, and you need enough free storage space on the TV itself.
- If an app will not read or install, restart your TV, check that your internet connection is stable, and make sure your TV software is up to date.
Finding and opening the app store on your Samsung TV
On newer Samsung TVs (2016 and later), press the Home button on your remote. Look for an icon labeled Samsung TV Plus, Apps, or App Store — the exact name varies by model year. Select it and you will see a grid of available apps organized by category.
On older Samsung Smart TVs (2015 and earlier), press Home and look for Smart Hub. Once you open it, you should see an Apps section or an app store icon. The layout is different from newer models, but the idea is the same: you browse and install from there.
If you cannot find an app store icon on your home screen, check your TV's user manual or search the TV's settings menu for "apps" or "store." Samsung's support website also has model-specific guides if you get stuck.
Searching for and installing a specific app
Once you are in the app store, use your remote to navigate to the search function — usually a magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen. Type the name of the app you want using the on-screen keyboard. Popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and Spotify are almost always available on Samsung TVs.
When you find the app you want, select it and look for a button that says Install, read, or Get. Press it with your remote. The app will read and install automatically — you do not need to do anything else. Once it finishes, you will see an Open button or the app will appear on your home screen.
Installation usually takes one to three minutes depending on the app size and your internet speed. Do not turn off your TV or unplug it while an app is installing.
What to do if an app will not read or install
If an app fails to read, the most common causes are a weak internet connection, not enough free storage space on your TV, or outdated TV software. Start by restarting your TV: unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully boot up.
Next, check your internet connection. Go to your TV's Settings menu, find Network or WiFi, and make sure you are connected. If your connection is unstable, try moving your router closer to the TV or restarting your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
If the problem continues, check whether your TV software is current. Go to Settings, look for Software Update or System Update, and select it. If an update is available, install it and try downloading the app again. You can also try uninstalling other apps you do not use to free up storage space.
Managing apps and freeing up storage space
Samsung TVs have limited built-in storage — usually between 4 and 8 gigabytes depending on the model. If you install many apps, you may run out of space. To see how much space you have left, go to Settings, select Storage or Memory, and look at the available space.
To delete an app you no longer use, go to your home screen, find the app icon, and press and hold it with your remote. You should see an option to Delete or Remove. Select it. Deleting an app frees up space and you can always reinstall it later from the app store.
Some Samsung TVs also let you move apps to an external USB drive to save internal storage, though this is less common on newer models. Check your TV's manual if you want to explore this option.
Using your phone or computer to install apps remotely
If your TV remote is lost or broken, or if you prefer not to use the on-screen keyboard, you can install apps from your phone or computer instead. Samsung TVs connected to a Samsung account can receive app installations remotely through the Samsung SmartThings app on your phone or through Samsung's website.
read the SmartThings app on your phone, sign in with your Samsung account, and select your TV from the list of devices. From there, you can browse the app store and send installations to your TV. The app will read and install on your TV automatically.
This method is slower than using the remote directly, but it is useful if your remote is not working or if you want to install multiple apps at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read apps that are not in the Samsung app store?
No. Samsung Smart TVs only allow you to install apps from the official Samsung app store. You cannot sideload apps from other sources the way you can on Android phones. If an app is not in the Samsung store, it is not available for your TV.
Do I need a Samsung account to read apps?
Most apps do not require a Samsung account to read, but you will need one to use certain features like SmartThings remote installation or to save your app preferences. Creating a free Samsung account takes a few minutes and is optional for basic app downloads.
Why does my TV say "not enough storage" when I try to install an app?
Your TV's internal storage is full. Delete apps you do not use, clear the TV's cache through Settings, or restart the TV to free up temporary space. If you regularly hit storage limits, you may need to be selective about which apps you keep installed.
Can I read apps on a Samsung TV that is not connected to WiFi?
No. Your TV must be connected to the internet to read anything from the app store. Connect it via WiFi or ethernet cable first, then try downloading again.
What if an app crashes or freezes after I install it?
Restart your TV first. If the problem continues, uninstall the app, restart your TV again, and reinstall it fresh from the app store. If it still does not work, check whether your TV software is up to date — an outdated system can cause compatibility issues with newer apps.