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 Samsung Apps depending on your model year—find the app you want, and select it to install. The whole process takes a few minutes and requires only your remote and a TV connected to the internet.
If your TV is older or the app store is not responding, you can also add apps through a smartphone using SmartThings, Samsung's companion app, or by connecting a streaming device like a Roku or Fire Stick to an HDMI port on the TV. The method you choose depends on your TV model, how old it is, and which apps you want to use.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung TVs have a built-in app store accessible from the home screen using your remote; search for the app name and select Install.
- Your TV must be connected to the internet by Wi-Fi or ethernet for the app store to work and for apps to read.
- If the built-in app store does not have the app you want, you can sideload apps using a USB drive or connect an external streaming device instead.
- Older Samsung TV models may use a different app store interface or may not support certain newer apps at all.
- If the app store freezes or stops responding, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.
How to access the Samsung app store on your TV
Press the Home button on your Samsung remote. This opens the main menu on your TV screen. Look for an icon labeled Apps, Samsung Apps, or Samsung TV Plus—the exact name varies by TV model and the year it was made. Select it with your remote.
Once you are in the app store, you will see a search bar at the top of the screen. Type the name of the app you want using the remote's directional buttons and number pad, or use voice search if your remote has a microphone button. Browse categories like Entertainment, Sports, or News if you want to see what is available without searching for a specific app.
Your TV must be connected to Wi-Fi or ethernet for the app store to load and for downloads to work. If the app store is not opening, check that your internet connection is active by going to Settings > Network and confirming the connection status.
Installing an app from the Samsung app store
Find the app you want in the search results or category list. Select it with your remote to open the app's details page. You will see a button labeled Install, read, or Get. Press it.
The TV will begin downloading the app. A progress bar will appear on the screen showing how much of the read is complete. Most apps finish installing in one to five minutes, depending on the app size and your internet speed. Do not turn off the TV or unplug it during installation.
Once the installation finishes, the button will change to Open or Launch. You can select it to start the app right away, or go back to the home screen and find the app in your apps list. The app will stay on your TV until you manually remove it.
What to do if an app is not in the Samsung app store
Not every app available on phones or computers is available in the Samsung app store. Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu are there, but smaller or regional apps may not be. Check the app store first by searching the exact name. If it does not appear, the app may not have a Samsung TV version.
You have two alternatives. The first is to use SmartThings, Samsung's mobile app. Open SmartThings on your phone, select your TV from the device list, and look for an Apps section. Some apps can be sent to your TV from your phone this way, though the selection is still limited to what Samsung has approved.
The second option is to connect an external streaming device to your TV. Plug a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Google Chromecast into an HDMI port on the back of your TV. These devices have their own app stores with much larger selections. You can then use the remote that comes with the streaming device to read and launch apps, and your TV will display whatever the streaming device is playing.
Restarting the app store if it freezes or stops responding
If the Samsung app store is not loading, is moving very slowly, or shows an error message, restart your TV. Unplug the power cable from the back of the TV and wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in and wait for the TV to turn on fully—this usually takes one to two minutes.
Once the TV is back on, press Home and try opening the app store again. If it still does not work, check your internet connection. Go to Settings > Network and select your Wi-Fi network. If it shows as connected, try disconnecting and reconnecting to the network. If you are using ethernet, unplug the cable for 10 seconds and plug it back in.
If the app store still will not open after restarting both the TV and your internet connection, the app store service may be temporarily down. Wait an hour and try again. If it remains broken for more than a day, contact Samsung support through their website or call the number on the back of your TV's manual.
Sideloading apps using a USB drive
Sideloading means installing an app file directly onto your TV without using the app store. This is an advanced method and only works if you have the correct app file in the right format for your TV model. Most people do not need to do this.
If you have obtained an app file (usually a file ending in .apk) from a trusted source, plug a USB drive into one of the USB ports on the back of your TV. Copy the app file onto the USB drive using a computer. Then plug the USB drive into your TV, go to Settings > Apps > Install from USB, and select the app file. Follow the on-screen prompts to install it.
Only sideload apps from sources you trust completely. Apps from unknown sources can contain malware or may not work correctly on your TV model. If you are unsure whether an app is safe, use the official Samsung app store instead.
Removing apps you no longer want
Press Home on your remote to go to the main menu. Navigate to the app you want to remove and highlight it. Press and hold the Select button (usually the center button on the remote's directional pad) until a menu appears. Select Delete, Remove, or Uninstall.
Confirm the removal when prompted. The app will be deleted from your TV when ready. You can reinstall it later by going back to the app store and selecting Install again. Removing an app does not affect any other apps or settings on your TV.
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 one to sign into the app itself once it is installed. For example, you can install Netflix without a Samsung account, but you will need a Netflix account to watch shows. Create a Samsung account through Settings > Samsung Account if you want to use Samsung-specific features like cloud storage or app recommendations.
Why does my TV say an app is not compatible?
Compatibility errors usually mean your TV model or software version is too old for that particular app. Newer apps are built for newer TVs. Check if a software update is available by going to Settings > Support > Software Update. If an update is available, install it and try downloading the app again. If the app still will not install, it may not be available for your TV model at all.
Can I use apps from my phone on my TV?
Not directly. Apps made for phones run on different software than Samsung TVs and are not compatible. However, many apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify have separate TV versions available in the Samsung app store. Search for the app name in the TV's app store to see if a TV version exists.
What should I do if an app keeps crashing after I install it?
Restart the TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the app still crashes, uninstall it, restart the TV again, and reinstall it fresh. If it crashes again when ready, the app may not be fully compatible with your TV model. Check the app store page to see if other users have reported the same problem, or try a different app that does the same thing.
How much storage space do apps take up on my TV?
Most apps take between 50 megabytes and 500 megabytes of space. Samsung TVs typically have several gigabytes of storage available for apps, so you can install dozens of apps without running out of room. If your TV starts running slowly or says storage is full, uninstall apps you no longer use. Go to Settings > Apps > Manage Apps to see how much space each app is using.