How to Update Apps on Your Samsung Smart TV

The fastest way to update apps on a Samsung TV

Most Samsung Smart TVs update their apps automatically in the background, usually overnight or when the TV is in standby mode. You do not have to do anything — the TV checks the Samsung App Store for updates and installs them on its own schedule. If you want to update an app right now instead of waiting, you can force an update through the TV's settings menu in about two minutes.

The exact steps depend on whether your TV runs Tizen (Samsung's operating system, used on most models from 2015 onward) or an older system. Tizen is the standard on nearly all current Samsung Smart TVs, so that is what this guide covers. If your TV is older than 2015, the menu structure will be different — check your TV's manual or the model number on the back to confirm which system you have.

Key Takeaways

Samsung Smart TVs update apps automatically by default, so you usually do not need to do anything.
To update a single app right now, go to Settings > Apps > App Updates and select the app you want to update.
To update all apps at once, go to Settings > Apps > Auto Update and turn it on if it is off, then select Update All.
If an app will not update, restart the TV, check that it is connected to the internet, and try again.
Some apps (like Netflix or YouTube) may update through the Google Play Store instead of the Samsung App Store, depending on your TV model.

How to update a single app through the Samsung App Store

Open the Settings menu on your remote by pressing the Settings button (it looks like a gear icon). Scroll down and select Apps, then select App Updates. You will see a list of apps that have updates waiting. Find the app you want to update and select it, then press the Update button. The TV will read and install the update — this usually takes one to three minutes depending on the app size and your internet speed.

While the update is installing, you can use other apps or watch TV. The update will finish in the background. Once it is done, you will see a notification or the app will straightforward be ready to use with the new version. If you do not see the app you want in the App Updates list, it either has no update waiting or it updates through a different store (see the section below on Google Play apps).

How to update all apps at once

If you want to update every app on your TV in one go, go to Settings > Apps > Auto Update. Make sure Auto Update is turned on — if it is off, select it and turn it on. Then select Update All. The TV will start updating every app that has a waiting update. This can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many apps need updating and your internet speed.

During a full update, your TV may slow down slightly or show update notifications for each app. This is normal. You can continue using the TV, but some apps may not respond until their update finishes. If you need to use the TV urgently, you can cancel the full update and update apps one at a time instead.

Apps that update through Google Play instead of Samsung App Store

Some Samsung Smart TVs (particularly newer models) have Google Play Store built in alongside the Samsung App Store. Apps like Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and Disney+ may update through Google Play instead of the Samsung store. To update these apps, go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store, then open Google Play Store. Select My Apps at the bottom, and you will see a list of apps with waiting updates. Select the app and tap Update.

If your TV does not have Google Play Store, these apps will update through the Samsung App Store instead, and you can update them using the steps in the first section. You can tell which store an app uses by opening the app's details page in Settings > Apps — it will show which store it came from.

Turning on automatic updates so you do not have to update manually

Automatic updates are usually on by default on Samsung Smart TVs. To confirm this is turned on, go to Settings > Apps > Auto Update and check that the toggle is switched on. If it is on, your TV will update apps automatically whenever it is in standby mode or not in use, usually between midnight and 6 a.m. depending on your TV's settings.

If you turn off Auto Update, apps will never update unless you update them manually through the steps above. Most people leave Auto Update on so they always have the latest versions without thinking about it. The only reason to turn it off is if you have very slow internet or limited data, though most home internet plans do not count TV app updates toward a data limit.

What to do if an app will not update

If an app is stuck on the update screen or shows an error message, the first step is to restart your TV. Unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Once it boots up, try updating the app again. This fixes most update problems because it clears temporary files that may be blocking the read.

If the app still will not update, check that your TV is connected to the internet. Go to Settings > General > Network > Network Status and confirm it shows "Connected." If it does not, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network. If the TV is connected but the app still will not update, try uninstalling the app and reinstalling it fresh from the App Store. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, select the app, and choose Uninstall. Then go to the App Store, search for the app, and select Install.

How to check which apps have updates waiting without updating them yet

Go to Settings > Apps > App Updates. This screen shows every app that has an update waiting, along with the app size and what version you currently have. You can scroll through and see all waiting updates without installing any of them. This is useful if you want to know what is coming but do not want to update right now, or if you want to update apps one at a time on a slow internet connection.

Next to each app, you will see the Update button. Do not select it unless you want to update that app right now. If you want to update everything at once, use the Update All button instead of going through each app individually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my TV updating apps in the middle of the night?

Your TV is set to auto-update, which is the default. It updates apps during off-peak hours (usually midnight to 6 a.m.) so updates do not interfere with your viewing. You can turn off Auto Update in Settings > Apps > Auto Update if you do not want this to happen, but then you will need to update apps manually.

Do I need to restart my TV after an app updates?

No. Most app updates take effect when ready without restarting. If an app seems to behave strangely after an update, you can restart the TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, but this is rarely necessary.

Can I update apps while I am watching TV?

Yes. Updates happen in the background, and you can watch, change channels, or use other apps while they install. The TV may slow down slightly if you are updating many apps at once, but it will not interrupt what you are watching.

What if an app is not showing up in the App Updates list?

The app either has no update waiting, or it updates through Google Play Store instead of the Samsung App Store. Check the Google Play Store section of your TV (if available) or check the app's details page in Settings > Apps to see which store it uses.

Will updating apps use a lot of my internet data?

App updates are usually small (a few megabytes each) unless the app is brand new or has major changes. Most home internet plans do not count TV app updates toward a data limit. If you have very limited data, you can update apps one at a time over a few days instead of all at once.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.