The fastest way to add apps to your Samsung TV

Most Samsung TVs let you read apps directly through the TV's built-in app store, called the Samsung App Store or Galaxy Store depending on your model year. You navigate using your remote, search for the app you want, and install it without needing a computer or phone. The whole process takes a few minutes and the apps stay on your TV permanently until you delete them.

The exact steps depend on whether your TV runs Tizen (Samsung's operating system, used on most models from 2016 onward) or an older system. If your TV is more than eight or nine years old, it may not support app downloads at all, but you can still stream content through a device plugged into an HDMI port instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the app store on your TV using the remote, search for the app by name, and select Install — no computer needed.
  • Your Samsung TV must be connected to the internet (WiFi or ethernet) before you can read anything.
  • Apps read and install in the background; you can start using them as soon as the progress bar finishes.
  • If your TV is older than 2016 or does not have an app store, you can stream apps from a phone, tablet, or streaming device connected via HDMI instead.

Connecting your TV to the internet first

Your Samsung TV cannot read apps without an internet connection. Check whether your TV is already connected by pressing the Home button on your remote, then navigating to Settings. Look for Network or WiFi settings — if it shows a connected network name, you are ready to read.

If your TV is not connected, go to Settings, select Network, and choose WiFi. Your TV will scan for available networks. Select your home WiFi network, enter the password, and wait for the connection to confirm. If you prefer a wired connection, you can plug an ethernet cable directly into the port on the back of your TV instead.

Opening the app store and finding what you want

Press the Home button on your remote. You should see a menu with rows of apps and options. Look for an icon labeled "Apps," "Samsung App Store," or "Galaxy Store" — the exact name varies by TV model. Select it and press Enter.

Once the app store opens, you will see a search icon (usually a magnifying glass) at the top. Select it, type the name of the app you want using the on-screen keyboard, and press Enter. Results will appear below. Find the app you want in the list, select it, and read the description to make sure it is the right one.

Installing an app and where it goes

When you find the app you want, select it and look for a button that says "Install" or "read." Press Enter. A progress bar will appear showing the read and installation happening in real time. This usually takes between 30 seconds and two minutes depending on the app size and your internet speed.

Once the installation finishes, the button will change to "Open" or "Installed." The app is now on your TV. You can press Open to start it right away, or close the app store and find the app later in your Apps menu or home screen. Apps stay on your TV until you manually delete them, so you do not have to reinstall them each time you want to use them.

What to do if the app store is not visible

Some older Samsung TVs or TVs set to a restricted mode do not show the app store in the home menu. Press Home, then look for Settings. Go to Apps or Applications, then look for an option called "App Store" or "Samsung App Store" — you may be able to launch it from there instead.

If you still cannot find an app store, your TV may be too old to support downloads. In that case, you can use a streaming device instead: plug a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Chromecast into an HDMI port on your back of your TV, and read apps onto that device instead. The streaming device will handle all the apps while your TV straightforward displays the picture.

Removing apps you no longer use

To delete an app, press Home and find the app in your menu. Press and hold the Select button (usually the center button on your remote) while the app is highlighted. A menu will appear with options including "Delete" or "Remove." Select it and confirm. The app is now gone and the space it used is freed up.

Deleting an app does not affect your TV's performance or settings. You can always read it again later if you change your mind. Samsung TVs do not have a storage limit that fills up the way a phone does, so you do not need to delete apps to make room for new ones.

Troubleshooting downloads that stall or fail

If a read stops partway through or shows an error, first check that your internet connection is still active. Go to Settings, select Network, and confirm your WiFi or ethernet is connected. If the connection is fine, try the read again — sometimes a temporary network hiccup causes the failure.

If the same app fails repeatedly, try restarting your TV. Unplug it from the power outlet, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Once it boots up, try downloading the app again. If it still fails, the app may not be compatible with your TV model or your TV's storage may be full. Check your TV's available storage in Settings under Storage or Memory, and delete apps you do not use to free up space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read apps on a Samsung TV without WiFi?

No, your TV must be connected to the internet to read anything. You can use WiFi or plug an ethernet cable into the back of your TV. Once an app is installed, you can use it offline, but the initial read requires a connection.

Do I need a Samsung account to read apps?

Most apps are free to read and do not require an account. Some paid apps or apps that stream content (like Netflix or Hulu) may ask you to sign in with an account once the app is installed, but the read itself does not require one.

How much storage do apps use on a Samsung TV?

Most apps use between 50 megabytes and 500 megabytes of space. Your TV has gigabytes of storage, so you can install dozens of apps without running out of room. You can check how much space is available in Settings under Storage or Memory.

What if an app I want is not in the Samsung App Store?

Not all apps are available in the Samsung App Store. If you cannot find an app, try searching for an alternative that does the same thing, or use a streaming device plugged into your TV's HDMI port instead. Roku, Fire Stick, and Apple TV have their own app stores with different selections.

Can I read apps from my phone to my TV?

No, you cannot send apps from a phone to a TV directly. You read apps separately on each device. However, many apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify work on both your phone and TV, so you can sign into the same account on both and your settings will sync.