The fastest way to add apps to your Samsung TV
You read apps to a Samsung Smart TV through the Samsung TV Plus app store, which is built into your TV's home screen. Press the Home button on your remote, look for the Apps section or an icon that looks like a grid of squares, and select it. From there you can browse available apps, select one, and choose Install. The app downloads and installs automatically — you do not need a computer or USB drive.
The exact steps depend on whether your TV runs Tizen (Samsung's operating system, used on most models from 2016 onward) or an older system. Tizen TVs have the easiest process because the app store is built in. Older Samsung TVs may require a different method, which we cover below.
Key Takeaways
- Press Home on your remote, navigate to Apps, and select an app to install it directly from Samsung's built-in store.
- Your TV must be connected to the internet (WiFi or ethernet) for the app store to load and for downloads to work.
- Not all apps are available in Samsung's store — some popular services like Netflix and YouTube are pre-installed, while others may not appear.
- If an app you want is not in the Samsung store, you can sideload it using a USB drive or by connecting your phone, though this requires more steps.
- Older Samsung TVs (pre-2016) use a different app system and may have limited app availability compared to newer Tizen models.
Step-by-step: Installing an app on a Tizen Samsung TV
Start by pressing the Home button on your Samsung remote. This takes you to the main home screen. Look for an icon labeled "Apps" — it usually appears as a grid of colored squares, often in the bottom row of your home screen.
Select the Apps icon. Your TV will load the Samsung app store, which shows featured apps at the top and categories below. You can scroll through Featured, Games, Entertainment, or other sections, or use the search function (usually a magnifying glass icon) to find a specific app by name.
Once you find the app you want, select it. A details page will open showing the app name, description, and an Install button. Select Install. The read begins when ready — you will see a progress bar. Installation usually takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on app size and your internet speed.
When installation is complete, the Install button changes to Open or Launch. You can select it to start the app right away, or close this screen and find the app later on your home screen or in your Apps list.
What you need before you start
Your Samsung TV must be connected to the internet to read apps. This can be WiFi or a wired ethernet connection. If your TV is not connected, go to Settings, then Network, and choose either WiFi or Ethernet depending on your setup. Your TV will ask for your WiFi password if you choose wireless.
You will also need a Samsung account to read most apps. If you do not have one, you can create it for free during the read process — your TV will prompt you to sign in or create an account the first time you try to install something. You only need to do this once.
Some apps are free, and some cost money. Free apps install without payment. Paid apps will show a price and ask you to confirm the purchase using a payment method linked to your Samsung account. Check the app details before selecting Install if you are unsure whether it is free.
Apps that come pre-installed on Samsung TVs
Most Samsung Smart TVs come with several apps already on them, including Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and Hulu. These do not need to be downloaded — they are already in your Apps list. You just need to open them and sign in with your account.
If a pre-installed app is missing from your home screen, it may have been deleted. You can reinstall it by going to Apps, searching for it by name, and selecting Install just as you would for any other app. The app store remembers that you own it, so reinstalling is free.
When an app is not in the Samsung store
Not every app available on phones or computers is available in Samsung's app store. If you search for an app and it does not appear, it may not be compatible with Tizen, or Samsung may not carry it.
One option is to check if the service offers a web version. Many streaming and utility apps work through a web browser on your TV. Open the web browser app on your TV (usually called Internet or Web Browser), navigate to the service's website, and sign in. This is not as smooth as a dedicated app, but it works for many services.
If you need to sideload an app (install one that is not in the store), you can do this using a USB drive, but the process is more involved and requires downloading the app file to a computer first. This is beyond the scope of basic TV setup, and we recommend contacting Samsung support if you need to go this route, as it varies by TV model and can cause problems if done incorrectly.
Troubleshooting: App will not read or install
If an app fails to read, first check that your TV is connected to the internet. Go to Settings, then Network, and look for a Connected or Status option. If it says Not Connected, reconnect to WiFi or ethernet and try again.
If your TV is connected but the read still fails, try restarting your TV. Press the power button on the remote to turn it off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then try installing the app again.
If the app store itself will not load, your TV may need a software update. Go to Settings, then Support, then Software Update. Select Update Now if an update is available. This can take 10 to 15 minutes. After the update finishes, restart your TV and try downloading the app again.
If you still cannot read after these steps, the app may be temporarily unavailable in Samsung's store, or your TV model may not support it. Check the app's details page to see if it lists any compatibility information, or contact Samsung support with your TV model number.
Managing storage and deleting apps you no longer use
Samsung TVs have limited storage, and downloading many large apps can slow your TV down. If your TV starts running slowly or you see a storage warning, you can delete apps you no longer use.
To delete an app, go to Apps, find the app you want to remove, select it, and look for a Delete or Uninstall option. Select it to remove the app. This frees up storage space. You can always reinstall the app later from the app store if you change your mind.
You cannot delete pre-installed apps like Netflix or YouTube, but you can hide them from your home screen if you do not use them. Look for a Hide or Remove from Home option when you select the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Samsung account to read apps?
Yes, you need a Samsung account to read most apps. You can create one for free on your TV during the read process. If you already have a Samsung account from owning other Samsung devices, you can use the same login.
Can I read apps from somewhere other than Samsung's app store?
The Samsung app store is the official and easiest way to read apps. Other methods like sideloading exist but require a computer and are more complicated. We recommend using the built-in store unless you have a specific reason to use another method.
Why does my TV say an app is not compatible?
Some apps are not built to run on Tizen, Samsung's TV operating system. Developers choose which platforms to support, so an app available on your phone may not work on your TV. Check the app's details page to see if it lists compatibility information.
What happens if I run out of storage space?
If your TV runs out of storage, you will not be able to read new apps. Delete apps you no longer use to free up space. You can also clear the cache of existing apps by going to Settings, then Apps, selecting an app, and choosing Clear Cache.
Can I read apps to my TV while it is off?
No, your TV must be on and connected to the internet to read apps. You cannot schedule downloads or read remotely from your phone.