The fastest way to add an app to your Samsung TV home screen
Open the Samsung TV app store directly from your home screen, find the app you want, and select Install. The app then appears on your home screen automatically, usually in the row where you were browsing. If it does not show up right away, restart your TV — power it off completely for 30 seconds, then turn it back on. The app will be there when the home screen reloads.
The exact steps depend on which Samsung TV model you own, because Samsung uses two different operating systems. Most TVs made after 2016 run Tizen, while some older models run Smart Hub. Both systems work the same way from the user's perspective, but the menu names differ slightly. The process takes less than two minutes once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Open the app store from your home screen, search for the app by name, and tap Install to add it to your home screen automatically.
- If an app does not appear after installation, restart your TV by powering it off for 30 seconds and turning it back on.
- You can rearrange apps on your home screen by holding the remote button on an app and dragging it to a new position.
- Some apps require a Samsung account to read, but most are free and install without any sign-up.
- If the app store is not visible on your home screen, you may need to add it first using the home screen customization menu.
Finding and installing an app on Tizen TVs
Press the Home button on your remote to open the home screen. Look for an icon labeled Apps or Samsung TV Plus — this is your gateway to the app store. Select it with your remote and press Enter.
Once the app store opens, you will see categories like Featured, Games, and Entertainment. Use the search function (usually a magnifying glass icon at the top) to find the specific app you want. Type the app name using your remote's keyboard or voice search if your remote has a microphone button. When you find the app, highlight it and press Enter, then select Install. The read begins when ready and the app lands on your home screen when it finishes.
Finding and installing an app on Smart Hub TVs
Press Home on your remote and look for the Smart Hub menu at the bottom of the screen. Navigate to Apps using your arrow buttons. This opens the app store interface, which looks similar to the Tizen store but with slightly different menu labels.
Search for your app by name using the search icon, or browse categories to find what you need. When you locate the app, select it and choose Install. The app downloads and appears on your home screen. If you do not see it when ready, power your TV off and back on — the home screen will refresh and show the newly installed app.
Rearranging apps once they are on your home screen
Once an app is installed, you can move it to a different spot on your home screen. Press and hold the app icon with your remote (the exact button varies by remote model, but it is usually the center button or a dedicated menu button). The app will highlight and show a menu with options like Move or Edit.
Select Move and use your arrow buttons to drag the app to the position you want. Press Enter to drop it in place. You can organize your most-used apps at the top of the screen or group them by category — streaming services in one row, games in another. This organization is personal and takes effect when ready.
What to do if an app will not install or does not appear
If you tap Install and nothing happens, check your internet connection first. Go to Settings > Network and confirm your TV is connected to Wi-Fi. A weak or dropped connection will stop an installation mid-process.
If your connection is solid but the app still will not install, the app store may be temporarily unavailable or the app itself may not be compatible with your TV model. Try searching for a different app to confirm the store is working. If other apps install fine, the problem is with that specific app — it may not be available in your region or may require a newer TV model.
If an app installed but does not appear on your home screen, restart your TV completely. Power it off using the remote, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. During startup, the TV reloads your home screen and any newly installed apps will show up. If it still does not appear after a restart, uninstall the app from the app store and try installing it again.
Managing storage when you have too many apps
Samsung TVs have limited storage space, and installing too many apps can slow down your TV or prevent new apps from installing. Check how much space you have left by going to Settings > Apps > Storage. This shows you the total space available and how much each app is using.
If you are running low on storage, uninstall apps you no longer use. Highlight an app on your home screen, press and hold the remote button, and select Delete or Uninstall. The app is removed from your TV and the space is freed up. You can always reinstall it later from the app store if you change your mind — your TV will remember your choice and reinstall it faster the second time.
Using voice search to find apps faster
If your Samsung remote has a microphone button (usually marked with a microphone icon), you can search for apps by speaking instead of typing. Press and hold the microphone button and say the app name clearly — "Netflix," "YouTube," "Disney Plus," and so on. The TV will search the app store and show you matching results.
Voice search is faster than typing on a remote keyboard, especially if you are looking for an app with a long name. It also works if you are not sure of the exact spelling. Say what you are looking for and the TV will show you close matches. Select the app you want from the results and install it the same way you would after a text search.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Samsung account to read apps?
Most apps are free and do not require a Samsung account to read. However, some apps like Netflix or Disney Plus will ask you to sign in with your own account after installation. You can create a free Samsung account if you want to track your downloads or use Samsung's cloud services, but it is not required to install apps.
Can I move apps between different rows on my home screen?
Yes. Press and hold an app, select Move, and use your arrow buttons to drag it anywhere on the home screen — up, down, left, or right. You can create your own layout and organize apps however makes sense for you. The changes save automatically when you press Enter.
What happens if I uninstall an app and want it back later?
Go back to the app store, search for the app by name, and select Install again. The TV remembers that you downloaded it before and will reinstall it faster than the first time. Your login information for that app (like your Netflix password) is not stored on the TV, so you will need to sign in again.
Why does my TV say an app is not compatible with my model?
Some apps require newer hardware or a more recent version of Tizen or Smart Hub than your TV has. Older Samsung TV models may not support the latest apps. Check your TV's model number in Settings and look up the app's system requirements online to confirm. You may be able to find an older version of the app that works, or choose a similar app that is compatible.
Can I hide apps from my home screen without deleting them?
This depends on your TV model. Some Samsung TVs allow you to hide apps by pressing and holding them and selecting Hide, while others require you to delete them. Check your remote menu when you highlight an app — if Hide is an option, you can use it. If not, deletion is the only way to remove an app from view.