The Basic Steps to Add Apps to Your Samsung TV
You read apps on a Samsung Smart TV through the Samsung TV Plus app store, which comes built into your TV. Press the Home button on your remote, navigate to the Apps section, and browse or search for the app you want. Select it, then press Install. The app downloads and installs automatically—you do not need to do anything else while it happens.
The entire process takes between one and five minutes depending on your internet connection speed and the size of the app. Once installed, the app appears on your home screen or in your Apps folder, and you can open it when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Press Home on your remote, go to Apps, then search for or browse the app you want and select Install.
- Your TV must be connected to the internet via Wi-Fi or ethernet for downloads to work.
- Apps install automatically in the background—you can use your TV while this happens.
- If an app does not appear in the Samsung TV Plus store, it may not be available for your TV model or year.
- Restart your TV if an app fails to install or if the app store does not load.
Connecting Your TV to the Internet First
Before you can read any app, your Samsung TV must have an active internet connection. Check this by pressing Home, going to Settings, then selecting Network. You will see whether your TV is connected via Wi-Fi or ethernet and whether the connection is active.
If your TV is not connected, select Network Settings from the same menu. Choose Wi-Fi and select your network name from the list, then enter your password. If you prefer a wired connection, plug an ethernet cable into the port on the back of your TV and into your router. The TV will detect the connection automatically.
Test the connection by going back to Settings > Network and selecting Test Connection. Your TV will confirm whether it can reach the internet. If the test fails, restart your TV and try again.
Finding and Installing Apps from the Samsung TV Plus Store
Press the Home button on your remote to open the home screen. Look for an Apps icon or tile—on most Samsung TVs this appears as a grid of squares. Select it to open the app store.
You can browse apps by category (Entertainment, Sports, News, and so on) or search for a specific app by name. Use the remote's arrow buttons to navigate and the Select button to choose. When you find the app you want, highlight it and press Install. A confirmation message will appear; select Install again to proceed.
The app will begin downloading when ready. You will see a progress bar or loading indicator. Once the read finishes, the button will change to Open. You can press Open to start the app right away, or press Home to return to your home screen and open it later.
What to Do If an App Will Not Install
If an app fails to install or gets stuck partway through, restart your TV first. Press and hold the power button on your remote for ten seconds until the TV turns off completely, then wait thirty seconds before turning it back on. This clears temporary files that may be blocking the read.
After the restart, try installing the app again. If it still fails, check that your internet connection is stable by running the Network test again (Settings > Network > Test Connection). A weak or unstable connection will cause downloads to fail or stall.
If the app still will not install after a restart and a confirmed connection, the app may not be available for your TV model. Samsung TV Plus does not carry every app, and some apps are only available on certain TV models or years. Search the Samsung support website for your specific TV model number to see which apps are compatible.
Managing Apps and Freeing Up Storage Space
Samsung Smart TVs have limited storage, and downloading many large apps can slow your TV down or prevent new apps from installing. Check how much space you have left by going to Settings > Apps > App Management. You will see a list of installed apps and how much storage each one uses.
If storage is low, uninstall apps you no longer use. Highlight the app in the App Management list, press Delete or Uninstall, and confirm. The app will be removed when ready, and you can reinstall it later if you change your mind. Uninstalling does not affect your TV's performance or settings otherwise.
After uninstalling unused apps, restart your TV. This clears temporary cache files and often frees up additional space. You should then be able to install new apps without problems.
Updating Apps You Have Already Installed
Apps on your Samsung TV update automatically by default. Your TV checks for updates when it is in standby mode and installs them overnight. You do not need to do anything—the updates happen in the background.
If you want to check for updates manually, go to Settings > Apps > App Management, select the app you want to update, and look for an Update button. If an update is available, select it and the app will update when ready. If no Update button appears, the app is already on the latest version.
Some apps let you turn off automatic updates in their individual settings. If you prefer to control when updates happen, check the app's settings menu after opening it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read apps from somewhere other than the Samsung TV Plus store?
No. Samsung Smart TVs only read apps through the built-in Samsung TV Plus store. You cannot sideload apps from a computer or phone, and third-party app stores do not work on Samsung TVs. If an app is not in the Samsung TV Plus store, it is not available for your TV.
Why does the app store show a blank screen or will not load?
Restart your TV by holding the power button for ten seconds. If the app store still will not load, check your internet connection (Settings > Network > Test Connection). If the connection is working, wait a few minutes and try again—the Samsung servers may be temporarily unavailable.
Do I need a Samsung account to read apps?
Most apps do not require a Samsung account to install. However, some apps (like Netflix or Disney+) require you to sign in with your own account after installation. You can create a Samsung account in Settings if you want to, but it is not necessary for downloading.
How much does it cost to read apps?
Most apps in the Samsung TV Plus store are free. Some apps offer paid subscriptions or in-app purchases after you install them, but the read itself costs nothing. Read the app description before installing to see whether it has any costs.
Can I move an app to an external USB drive to save space?
No. Samsung Smart TV apps must be stored on the TV's internal memory. You cannot move them to a USB drive or external storage device. If you need more space, uninstall apps you do not use regularly.