The fastest way to add an app to your Samsung TV
Most Samsung TVs let you read apps directly from the TV itself using the remote. Open the app store built into your TV—usually called Samsung Apps or Samsung TV Plus depending on your model year—search for the app you want, and select it to read. The app installs automatically and appears on your home screen within seconds to a few minutes.
If your TV is older or the app you want isn't in Samsung's store, you can sideload it using a USB drive or cast it from your phone. The method depends on what app you're looking for and how new your TV is.
Key Takeaways
- The Samsung Apps store is built into your TV and accessible from the home screen—search, select, and read without leaving the TV.
- Most common apps like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and Disney+ are already available in the Samsung store and read in under a minute.
- Older Samsung TVs may use a different app store name or interface, but the process is the same: navigate, search, select, read.
- If an app isn't in the Samsung store, you can cast it from your phone or sideload it using a USB drive, though this requires extra steps.
- Your TV must be connected to the internet (WiFi or ethernet) for any app to read or work.
How to read an app using the Samsung Apps store
Start by pressing the Home button on your remote. This takes you to the home screen. Look for an icon labeled Samsung Apps, Apps, or sometimes a grid icon—the exact name varies by TV model and year. Select it with your remote.
Once inside the app store, use the search function (usually at the top) to find the app you want. Type the name using the remote's keyboard or voice search if your remote has a microphone. When you find the app, select it and choose the read or install button. The app downloads and installs automatically—you'll see a progress bar. Once it's done, the button changes to "Open" or the app appears on your home screen.
If you don't see the app in the Samsung store, it may not be available for your TV model. Check the app's official website or contact Samsung support to confirm whether it's compatible with your TV.
What to do if the app store won't load or read fails
If the app store won't open or an app fails to read, the most common cause is a weak internet connection. Check that your TV is connected to WiFi by going to Settings > Network > WiFi and confirming the connection is stable. If you're using WiFi, try moving the TV closer to the router or restarting both the TV and router.
If the connection is strong but the read still fails, restart the TV completely. Press and hold the power button on the remote for 10 seconds until the TV shuts down, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. Try downloading the app again. If it still doesn't work, go to Settings > Apps > App Store and select "Clear Cache" or "Clear Data"—this removes temporary files that may be blocking the read.
If you've tried these steps and the app still won't read, the app may be temporarily unavailable or incompatible with your TV model. Wait a few hours and try again, or contact Samsung support with your TV's model number.
Casting an app from your phone instead of downloading it
If an app isn't available in the Samsung store, you can often cast it from your phone to your TV using AirPlay (for iPhones) or Google Cast (for Android phones). This doesn't install the app on the TV itself—instead, your phone runs the app and sends the video to the TV screen.
To cast from an iPhone, open the app on your phone, look for an AirPlay icon (usually a triangle with a circle), tap it, and select your Samsung TV from the list. For Android, open the app, tap the Google Cast icon (a rectangle with a WiFi symbol), and select your TV. Both your phone and TV must be on the same WiFi network.
Casting works well for streaming services, but it uses your phone's battery and keeps your phone locked to that app. If you use the app frequently, sideloading it to the TV is more convenient.
Sideloading an app using a USB drive
Sideloading means installing an app file directly onto your TV using a USB drive instead of downloading from the store. This works only if you have the app file (usually a .apk file for Android-based Samsung TVs) and your TV supports sideloading.
First, read the app file to a computer and copy it to a USB drive. Insert the USB drive into your TV's USB port (usually on the back or side). On your TV, go to Settings > Apps > Unknown Sources and toggle it on—this allows your TV to install apps from outside the Samsung store. Then open a file manager app on your TV, navigate to the USB drive, find the app file, and select it to install.
Sideloading carries more risk than downloading from the store because you're installing an app from an unverified source. Only sideload apps from sources you trust, and be aware that Samsung may not support apps installed this way. If something goes wrong, you may need to factory reset your TV.
Checking which apps are already on your TV
Many Samsung TVs come with popular apps pre-installed, including Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and others. Before downloading, check your home screen to see what's already there. Press Home on your remote and scroll through the available apps.
If an app is pre-installed but you haven't used it in a while, it may need an update. Go to Settings > Apps > App Updates and check for pending updates. Updating an app can fix bugs and add new features.
You can also organize your home screen by moving apps around or hiding ones you don't use. Press and hold an app icon with your remote, then select "Move" or "Remove" depending on what you want to do.
Troubleshooting apps that won't open after downloading
If an app downloads successfully but won't open, the most common fix is to restart the app. Press Home, find the app, and select it again. If it still won't open, go to Settings > Apps, find the app in the list, and select "Clear Cache" or "Restart App."
If the app still won't work, check that your TV's software is up to date. Go to Settings > Support > Software Update and select "Update Now" if an update is available. Outdated TV software can cause app compatibility issues.
If you've updated the software and cleared the cache but the app still won't open, uninstall it and read it again. Go to Settings > Apps, select the app, and choose "Uninstall." Then go back to the Samsung Apps store and read it fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add apps to an older Samsung TV from 2015 or earlier?
Yes, but the app store may be called something different—look for "Samsung Apps" or "Smart Hub." The process is the same: open the store, search, and read. However, older TVs have less storage and processing power, so not all modern apps will work on them. Check the app's system requirements before downloading.
Do I need a Samsung account to read apps?
Most apps don't require a Samsung account to read, but you may need an account for the app itself—for example, you'll need a Netflix account to use Netflix. Some Samsung services like Samsung TV Plus do require a Samsung account. You can create one for free on Samsung's website.
What happens if my TV runs out of storage space?
Samsung TVs have limited built-in storage. If you read too many apps, you may see a message that storage is full. Delete apps you don't use by going to Settings > Apps, selecting the app, and choosing "Uninstall." You cannot expand storage with an external drive on most Samsung TVs.
Can I use apps from the Google Play Store instead of the Samsung Apps store?
Some newer Samsung TVs run Google TV or Tizen with Google Play integration, so you can access Google Play apps. Older Samsung TVs use only the Samsung Apps store. Check your TV's settings or manual to see which app store your model uses.
Why does my app keep crashing after I read it?
App crashes usually mean your TV doesn't have enough free memory or the app isn't fully compatible with your TV model. Try restarting your TV, closing other apps running in the background, and updating the app to the latest version. If it still crashes, the app may not be compatible with your TV.