The fastest way to update apps on Samsung Smart TV
Most Samsung Smart TVs update apps automatically in the background, but you can also update them manually through the Samsung App Store. The method depends on whether your TV runs Tizen (Samsung's operating system) or an older system—nearly all Samsung TVs made in the last five years use Tizen. Open the App Store from your home screen, find the app you want to update, and look for an "Update" button next to the app name. If no update button appears, the app is already current.
Some apps update only when you open them, and a few require a manual restart of your TV to complete an update. If an app seems stuck or won't update, a full power cycle—unplugging the TV for 30 seconds—often fixes the problem.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Smart TVs with Tizen automatically check for app updates daily, usually between midnight and 6 a.m., so you may not need to do anything.
- To manually update a single app, open the Samsung App Store, find the app, and tap the "Update" button if one appears next to the app name.
- You can update all apps at once by going to Settings > Apps > App Store and selecting an option to update all available apps (the exact menu name varies by TV model and year).
- If an app won't update, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and try again.
- Apps that fail to update often need more storage space on your TV—delete unused apps or clear the cache to free up room.
How to update a single app manually
Press the Home button on your remote to reach the main screen. Navigate to the Samsung App Store icon—it usually appears as a shopping bag or grid of squares, depending on your TV model. Open the App Store and use the search function or browse to find the app you want to update.
Once you find the app, select it to open its details page. If an update is available, you will see an "Update" button displayed prominently. Tap it, and the TV will read and install the new version. The process usually takes one to three minutes depending on the app size and your internet speed. Do not turn off the TV during an update.
After the update finishes, the button will change to "Open" or "Launch." You can open the app when ready or wait until later. Some apps require you to restart them or even restart your TV before the update takes full effect.
How to update all apps at once
If you want to update multiple apps without doing them one by one, look for a bulk update option in the App Store. The exact location varies by TV model and software version, but it is usually found in Settings > Apps or directly in the App Store menu under an option like "Update All" or "Manage Apps."
Open the App Store and look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines or three dots) in the top corner. Select it and look for options like "Update All Apps," "Manage Apps," or "My Apps." If you find "Update All," tap it and the TV will queue all available updates and install them in sequence. This can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many apps need updating and your internet connection speed.
If your TV does not show an "Update All" option, you can still check which apps have updates by going to Settings > Apps > App Store and looking at the list. Apps with available updates will be marked or highlighted.
Automatic updates and when they happen
Samsung Smart TVs are set to check for app updates automatically once per day, usually during off-peak hours between midnight and 6 a.m. If your TV is in standby mode (not fully off) during this window and connected to the internet, it will read and install updates without you doing anything. This is why you might notice your TV taking longer to turn on some mornings—it is finishing an update.
You can turn off automatic updates if you prefer to control when apps update. Go to Settings > Apps > App Store and look for an option called "Auto Update" or "Automatic Updates." Toggle it off to prevent background updates. Keep in mind that turning off automatic updates means you are responsible for checking for new versions manually, and you may miss important security patches.
If you want automatic updates but prefer them to happen at a different time, most Samsung TVs do not offer a way to change the update window. The TV will continue to check during its default time window.
What to do if an app will not update
The most common reason an app will not update is insufficient storage space on your TV. Samsung Smart TVs have limited built-in storage—usually between 4 and 16 gigabytes depending on the model—and apps, system files, and cached data compete for that space. If you see an error message about storage when trying to update, delete apps you no longer use. Go to Settings > Apps > Manage Apps, select an unused app, and choose "Delete" or "Uninstall."
Another common fix is to clear the app cache. Go to Settings > Apps > Manage Apps, find the app that will not update, and select "Clear Cache." This removes temporary files the app has stored without deleting the app itself. After clearing the cache, try updating again.
If the app still will not update after freeing space and clearing the cache, restart your TV completely. Unplug the TV from the power outlet, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This clears the TV's memory and often resolves update problems. Once the TV restarts, open the App Store and try updating the app again.
If an app repeatedly fails to update even after these steps, the app itself may have a problem. Check the Samsung App Store reviews to see if other users are reporting update issues. You can also try uninstalling the app completely and reinstalling it fresh from the App Store.
Internet connection and update speed
App updates require a stable internet connection. If your TV is connected via Wi-Fi, make sure the signal is strong—move the TV closer to your router if possible, or use a Wi-Fi extender. If your connection keeps dropping, updates may fail partway through. A wired Ethernet connection is more reliable than Wi-Fi if your TV has an Ethernet port.
Update speed depends on your internet bandwidth and the app size. Small apps (under 50 megabytes) usually update in under a minute on a standard home internet connection. Larger apps can take several minutes. If updates are consistently slow, run a speed test on another device to check your internet connection. Most app updates need at least 5 megabits per second to read reliably.
If your internet is very slow or unreliable, wait until you have a stronger connection before updating large apps. Interrupted updates can corrupt the app and make it unusable until you reinstall it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to restart my TV after updating an app?
Most apps do not require a restart, but some do. After an update finishes, try opening the app. If it behaves strangely or does not seem to have the new features, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds. A few apps, especially system-level apps, need a full TV restart to set up the update.
Why does my TV say an app is up to date when I know there is a newer version?
The Samsung App Store version may lag behind the version available on other platforms like phones or tablets. Samsung tests updates before releasing them to TVs, which can cause a delay of days or weeks. If the app is working well, you do not need to worry about a version mismatch.
Can I update apps while watching TV?
Yes, you can start an update and then switch to watching TV. The update will continue in the background. However, if the app you are updating is the one you are currently using, the TV may need to close it to complete the update. For the smoothest experience, update apps when you are not actively using them.
What happens if I unplug my TV during an app update?
Unplugging during an update can corrupt the app file, making it unusable. You will need to uninstall the app and reinstall it fresh from the App Store. Always let updates finish before turning off your TV. If an update seems stuck, wait at least 10 minutes before unplugging.
How much storage do app updates usually need?
Most app updates are small—between 5 and 50 megabytes. Larger apps like streaming services may have updates of 100 to 200 megabytes. If your TV shows a storage error, delete a few unused apps to free up at least 500 megabytes of space before trying again.