The fastest way to add apps 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—called Samsung TV Plus or Galaxy Store depending on your model year—search for the app you want, and select Install. The app downloads and appears on your home screen within seconds to a few minutes. You do not need a computer or USB drive.
If your TV is older or the app you want is not in Samsung's store, you can sideload apps using a USB drive or connect your phone to the TV wirelessly. Both methods work, but the built-in store is simpler and safer because Samsung has checked the apps for security.
Key Takeaways
- Open the app store on your TV using the remote, search for the app by name, and select Install to read it directly to your TV.
- Samsung TV Plus and Galaxy Store are the official app stores; apps you read from them appear on your home screen automatically.
- If an app is not in the store, you can sideload it using a USB drive formatted as FAT32 or by mirroring your phone to the TV.
- Older Samsung TVs may not support newer apps, so check your TV's model year and available storage before installing many apps.
- Restart your TV if an app stops working or will not install; clearing the app cache also fixes most installation problems.
How to open the app store on your Samsung TV
Press the Home button on your remote. This takes you to the main screen where all your apps and inputs appear. Look for an icon labeled Samsung TV Plus, Galaxy Store, or Apps—the name depends on whether your TV runs Tizen (Samsung's operating system) or Google TV.
If you do not see an app store icon, your TV may be very old or set to a different input. Press Home again and scroll left or right across the menu bar at the top of the screen. The app store is usually grouped with other system apps like Settings and Search.
Once you open the store, you will see featured apps and a search bar at the top. Type the name of the app you want—Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, or any other app—and the store will show you results. Select the app and press Install.
What happens after you select Install
The app begins downloading when ready. A progress bar shows how much of the read is complete. Most apps finish in under a minute on a normal internet connection, though larger apps may take two to three minutes. You can close the store and do other things while the app downloads in the background.
Once the read finishes, the Install button changes to Open or Launch. The app also appears on your home screen automatically, usually in a section called Recently Added or at the end of your app row. You can now open it from the home screen without going back to the store.
If the read stalls or fails, check that your TV is connected to Wi-Fi. Press Home, go to Settings, select Network, and confirm the connection is active. Then return to the store and try installing again.
How to sideload apps using a USB drive
Sideloading means installing an app from outside the official store. You need a USB drive formatted as FAT32, a computer, and the app file itself (usually a .apk file for Android-based Samsung TVs). This method works when an app is not available in the Samsung store or when you want to install an older version.
First, format your USB drive on a computer. On Windows, right-click the drive, select Format, choose FAT32 from the File System dropdown, and click Start. On Mac, open Disk Utility, select the drive, click Erase, and choose MS-DOS (FAT) format. Copy the app file to the root of the drive—not inside a folder.
Plug the USB drive into your TV's USB port, usually on the back or side. Open Settings on your TV, go to Apps or Applications, and look for an option like Install Unknown Apps or Install from USB. Select your USB drive and choose the app file. The TV will install it and add it to your home screen.
Sideloading carries more risk than using the official store because Samsung has not checked the app for security. Only sideload apps from sources you trust.
How to mirror your phone to add apps wirelessly
If you have an Android phone, you can mirror it to your Samsung TV and install apps that way. This does not actually put the app on the TV—it just displays your phone's screen on the TV—but it lets you use the app on the big screen. For a permanent installation, use the app store method instead.
To mirror, press Home on your TV remote and look for an option called Screen Mirroring, Smart View, or AirPlay (on Apple devices). Select it and choose your phone from the list. Your phone will ask for permission; tap Allow. Your phone's screen now appears on the TV.
If you want the app to stay on your TV permanently, this method does not work. Mirroring is temporary and only works while your phone and TV are connected. For permanent apps, read them through the TV's app store instead.
Fixing apps that will not install or read
If an app fails to install, the most common cause is not enough storage space on your TV. Press Home, go to Settings, select Storage or Memory, and check how much free space you have. If you have less than 1 GB free, delete apps you no longer use. Press Home, find an app you want to remove, press and hold it with the remote, and select Delete or Uninstall.
If storage is not the problem, restart your TV. Unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears temporary files and often fixes read problems. Once the TV restarts, try installing the app again.
If the app still will not install, clear the app store's cache. Go to Settings, select Apps, find Galaxy Store or Samsung TV Plus, and select Clear Cache. Return to the store and try installing again. If the app is still not available, it may not be compatible with your TV model or your region.
Older Samsung TVs and app compatibility
Samsung TVs made before 2016 may not support modern apps or may have very limited app stores. If your TV is older and you cannot find common apps like Netflix or YouTube, your TV's operating system may be too old to run them.
You can still watch these services by connecting a device to your TV instead. A Roku stick, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Google Chromecast plugs into your TV's HDMI port and gives you access to thousands of apps. These devices are inexpensive and often more reliable than older TV app stores.
To find out your TV's model year, press Home, go to Settings, select About This TV or System Information, and look for the model number. Search that number online to see what year it was made and what apps are available for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Samsung account to read apps?
Most apps do not require a Samsung account to install, but you will need an account with the app itself—like a Netflix or YouTube account—to use it. Some Samsung services may ask you to sign in with a Samsung account, but this is optional for most third-party apps.
Can I move apps to a USB drive to save space?
Some Samsung TVs let you move apps to external storage, but most do not. Check Settings, select Apps, and look for an option to move apps to USB. If it is not there, your TV does not support this feature. Deleting apps you do not use is the best way to free up space.
Why does my TV say an app is not compatible?
Apps require a certain version of the TV's operating system to run. If your TV is old, newer apps may not work on it. Check your TV's model year in Settings and search online to see which apps are compatible. Connecting an external streaming device is usually the solution.
What if I accidentally delete an app?
Open the app store, search for the app by name, and select Install again. It will read to your TV just like the first time. Your login information for that app is usually saved, so you may not need to sign in again.
Can I install apps from Google Play on my Samsung TV?
If your TV runs Google TV (newer Samsung models), Google Play is built in and you can read apps from it the same way as Samsung TV Plus. If your TV runs Tizen (older models), Google Play is not available, but you can sideload Android apps using a USB drive if you have the app file.