The fastest way to add apps to your Samsung TV
You add apps to a Samsung Smart TV through the Samsung TV Plus app store, which is built into your TV's home screen. Press the Home button on your remote, look for the Apps section or an app store icon, and browse or search for what you want. Once you find an app, select it and choose Install — most apps read and open within seconds.
The exact steps depend on which Samsung TV model you own, because Samsung uses different operating systems across its lineup. Newer models run Tizen OS, while some older sets run different software. The process is similar across all of them, but the menu names and button locations shift slightly.
You do not need a Samsung account to read most free apps, though some apps ask you to sign in once they are installed. Your TV needs an active internet connection — either through Wi-Fi or an ethernet cable plugged into the back of the set.
Key Takeaways
- Press Home on your remote, find Apps or the app store, search for the app you want, and select Install.
- Your TV must be connected to Wi-Fi or ethernet to read and install apps.
- Free apps install when ready, but some apps require you to create an account or sign in after installation.
- If an app does not appear in the Samsung TV Plus store, it may not be available for your TV model or operating system version.
- You can delete apps by highlighting them, pressing Options on your remote, and choosing Remove or Uninstall.
How to find and install apps on Tizen-based Samsung TVs
On newer Samsung TVs running Tizen OS, press the Home button on your remote to bring up the home screen. Look for an icon labeled Apps, App Store, or Samsung TV Plus — it usually appears as a grid of squares or a shopping bag icon. Select it with your remote and press Enter.
Once you are in the app store, you can search by typing the app name or browse by category. Use the arrow buttons on your remote to move through the list. When you find the app you want, highlight it and press Enter, then select Install. The app will read in the background and appear on your home screen or in your Apps folder once it finishes.
Some apps ask you to sign in when ready after installation — for example, Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube all require you to enter your account details before you can watch anything. Other apps, like weather or news apps, work without signing in but offer more features if you do.
What to do if an app is not in the Samsung store
Not every app available on phones or computers is available in the Samsung TV Plus store. The app developer has to build a version specifically for Samsung TVs, and many smaller apps or older services do not bother. If you search for an app and nothing comes up, it is not available for your TV.
Your options are limited if the app you want is not there. You cannot sideload apps onto most Samsung TVs the way you can on Android phones — Samsung restricts what software can run on the TV for security and stability reasons. Some people use a streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick instead, which connect to your TV through an HDMI port and have their own app stores with different selections.
Before you give up, check whether the service you want offers an alternative. Many streaming services that do not have a dedicated app — like some lesser-known sports platforms or niche services — can still be watched through a web browser on your TV if your TV has a browser app installed. Look in the Samsung store for an app called Internet or Web Browser.
Managing storage and removing apps you no longer use
Samsung TVs have limited storage space, and installing too many apps can slow down your TV's performance. If your TV starts running slowly or you see a message about low storage, you should delete apps you are not using.
To remove an app, go to your home screen and highlight the app you want to delete. Press the Options button on your remote (usually marked with three horizontal lines or a gear icon). A menu will appear with choices like Remove, Uninstall, or Delete. Select the option to remove the app. The app will disappear from your home screen and free up storage space.
Deleting an app does not delete your account or your watch history in that app. If you reinstall the app later, you can sign back in and pick up where you left off. Your login information is stored on the app's servers, not on your TV.
Updating apps and keeping your TV current
Apps on your Samsung TV update automatically by default, which means you do not have to do anything — new versions read and install while you are not using the TV. If an app is not working correctly, check whether an update is available by going to the app store, finding the app, and looking for an Update button instead of Install.
You can also check for updates to your TV's operating system itself, which sometimes adds new features or fixes bugs that affect how apps run. Go to Settings, then Support or About This TV, and look for a Software Update or System Update option. If an update is available, your TV will read and install it, usually overnight.
If an app keeps crashing or freezing, try uninstalling it and reinstalling it fresh from the app store. This often fixes problems caused by corrupted files or incomplete updates. You can also restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in, which clears the TV's memory and sometimes solves temporary glitches.
Connecting your TV to Wi-Fi so apps can read
Apps will not read unless your TV is connected to the internet. Most Samsung TVs connect through Wi-Fi, which is the easiest option if your router is in the same room or nearby. Go to Settings, then Network, and select Wi-Fi. Your TV will scan for available networks and show you a list. Select your network name, enter your Wi-Fi password, and wait for the connection to complete.
If you have a weak Wi-Fi signal in the room where your TV is, you can connect an ethernet cable instead. Plug one end into the ethernet port on the back of your TV and the other end into your router or a wall jack connected to your router. Ethernet is more stable than Wi-Fi and will not drop the connection if someone moves between your TV and the router.
Once your TV is connected, you can check the connection by going to Settings, then Network, and looking for a Connected or Status option. Your TV should show your network name and signal strength. If the connection keeps dropping, move your router closer to the TV, reduce interference from other wireless devices, or switch to a wired connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Samsung account to read apps?
No. You can read and install most free apps without a Samsung account. However, some apps ask you to create an account or sign in after installation — for example, Netflix requires a Netflix account, and YouTube requires a Google account. The app store itself does not require you to register.
Why does my TV say there is not enough storage to install an app?
Samsung TVs have limited built-in storage, usually between 4 and 16 gigabytes depending on the model. If you have installed many apps, you may run out of space. Delete apps you no longer use, or restart your TV to clear temporary files. If you still cannot install apps, your TV may be too full and you will need to remove more apps.
Can I install apps from sources other than the Samsung TV Plus store?
Most Samsung TVs do not allow installation from other sources for security reasons. You cannot sideload apps the way you can on Android phones. If an app is not in the Samsung store, your best option is to use a separate streaming device like a Roku or Fire Stick that has access to different app stores.
What should I do if an app keeps crashing after I install it?
First, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If that does not work, uninstall the app and reinstall it fresh from the app store. Make sure your TV is connected to a strong Wi-Fi signal during the read. If the app still crashes, it may not be compatible with your TV model or operating system version.
Can I move apps to a different location on my home screen?
Yes. Highlight an app on your home screen, press and hold the Select button on your remote, and drag it to a new position. The exact method varies by TV model — some TVs use the Options button instead. Check your TV's manual or on-screen help for the specific steps for your model.