Adding Apps to Your Samsung TV Home Screen

You can add apps to your Samsung TV home screen directly from the Apps section or from the Samsung TV Plus menu. Most apps appear in a row at the top of your home screen once you install them, and you can rearrange them by moving them left or right. The process takes less than a minute for each app and requires only your remote.

Samsung TVs organize apps into categories—streaming services, games, utilities—and let you pin your favorites to the main home screen so they appear when you turn on the TV. You do not need to read anything to your computer or use a separate device; everything happens on the TV itself using your remote control.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Apps section on your home screen, find the app you want, and select it to install it automatically to your home screen.
  • Once an app is installed, you can move it left or right on the home screen row by highlighting it and pressing the directional buttons on your remote.
  • Apps you do not use can be removed from the home screen by highlighting them, pressing the menu button, and selecting "Remove from Home"—this does not delete the app, only hides it.
  • Samsung TV Plus apps and third-party apps (like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+) both follow the same installation and arrangement process.
  • If an app does not appear after installation, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

How to Install an App from the Apps Section

Press the Home button on your Samsung remote to go to the home screen. Look for the Apps icon (usually a grid or folder symbol) and select it. You will see a list of available apps organized by category or in a search view, depending on your TV model and software version.

Scroll through the list or use the search function to find the app you want. Once you locate it, highlight it and press the Select button (the center button on your remote's directional pad). The app will begin installing automatically. A progress bar or loading indicator will appear; wait for it to finish. Once installation is complete, the app will appear in a row on your home screen, usually at the far right of your existing apps.

If the app does not appear when ready, press Home again to refresh the home screen view. Some apps take a few seconds to register after installation.

Rearranging Apps on Your Home Screen

To move an app to a different position on your home screen, highlight it by pressing the directional buttons on your remote until the app is selected (it will show a border or highlight around it). Once highlighted, press and hold the Select button for about two seconds. The app will enter edit mode, and you can now move it left or right using the directional buttons on your remote.

Press Select again when the app is in the position you want. It will lock into place. You can repeat this process for as many apps as you want to organize. Most people put their most-used apps (Netflix, YouTube, live TV) on the far left so they are the first thing they see when they turn on the TV.

Removing Apps from Your Home Screen

Removing an app from your home screen does not delete it from your TV—it only hides it from the main view. To remove an app, highlight it on your home screen and press the Menu button on your remote (usually marked with three horizontal lines or labeled "Menu"). A small menu will pop up with options including "Remove from Home" or "Delete."

Select "Remove from Home." The app will disappear from your home screen row but will still be available in the Apps section if you want to add it back later. If you want to permanently delete an app and free up storage space, select "Delete" instead, but this is not necessary for most users.

Installing Apps from Samsung TV Plus

Samsung TV Plus is a built-in section on many Samsung TVs that shows free channels and apps. To browse Samsung TV Plus apps, go to your home screen and look for the Samsung TV Plus tile or section. Select it to see available channels and apps. You can add these directly to your home screen the same way you would any other app—highlight the channel or app and select it to install.

Samsung TV Plus apps often include live TV channels, news feeds, and entertainment services that do not require a separate subscription. Once installed, they behave exactly like any other app on your home screen and can be moved or removed using the same process.

Troubleshooting Apps That Do Not Appear

If you installed an app but it does not show up on your home screen, the first step is to restart your TV. Unplug the TV from the wall outlet, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This clears the TV's memory and often fixes display issues. Once the TV restarts, press Home and check whether the app now appears.

If the app still does not appear, check your internet connection. Apps require a stable connection to install properly. Go to Settings, select Network, and verify that your TV is connected to your Wi-Fi. If the connection is weak or unstable, move your router closer to the TV or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

If you have very little storage space left on your TV, installation may fail silently. Go to Settings, select Storage, and check how much free space you have. If you are below 1 GB of free space, remove apps you no longer use to make room. Once you have freed up space, try installing the app again.

Managing Your App Library Over Time

As you install more apps, your home screen row will grow longer and scroll horizontally. You can scroll left and right to see all your apps. Keep your most-used apps on the left side of the row so they are straightforward to find. Apps you use occasionally can go in the middle, and apps you rarely use can be removed from the home screen entirely (they will still be in the Apps section if you need them).

Every few months, review your home screen and remove apps you no longer watch or use. This keeps your home screen clean and makes it faster to find what you want. You can always reinstall an app later if you change your mind—your login information and preferences are usually saved by the app itself, so you will not lose your place in shows or movies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move apps between different rows on my Samsung TV home screen?

Most Samsung TVs display apps in a single horizontal row that scrolls left and right. You cannot create multiple rows of apps like you can on a smartphone. However, you can rearrange the order of apps within that row by highlighting each one and moving it left or right with your remote.

What happens if I delete an app instead of just removing it from my home screen?

Deleting an app removes it completely from your TV and frees up storage space. You can reinstall it later from the Apps section without losing your login information, as long as the app saves your account details. Removing from home screen only hides the app but keeps it installed, using a small amount of storage.

Do I need a Samsung account to install apps on my TV?

You do not need a Samsung account to install apps. However, some apps (like Netflix or Disney+) will ask you to sign in with your own account once they are installed. Your Samsung TV account is separate and is only needed if you want to sync settings across multiple Samsung devices.

Why is my app installation stuck or taking a very long time?

A slow or stuck installation usually means your internet connection is weak or interrupted. Check that your TV is connected to Wi-Fi and that the signal is strong. Restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then try installing the app again. If the problem continues, restart your router as well.

Can I install apps that are not in the Samsung Apps store?

Samsung TVs only allow installation of apps from the official Samsung Apps section. You cannot sideload apps from other sources or install apps designed for Android phones. All available apps for your TV model are found in the Apps section on your home screen.