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 — usually called Samsung Apps or the Samsung TV Plus store — 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 for most apps.
The method depends on which Samsung TV model you own. Newer Samsung TVs (2016 and later) use Tizen, Samsung's operating system, and have a dedicated app store. Older models may use different systems. The steps below cover Tizen TVs, which is what most current Samsung owners have.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Samsung Apps store from your TV's home screen using the remote, search for the app, and select Install to read it directly to your TV.
- Your TV must be connected to the internet — either by WiFi or ethernet cable — before you can read any apps.
- Apps appear on your home screen after installation and can be moved, deleted, or organized into folders using your remote.
- If an app is not available in your region's app store, you may be able to sideload it using a USB drive or a computer connected to the same network.
Check your internet connection first
Before you install any app, your Samsung TV must be connected to the internet. Press the Home button on your remote, go to Settings, then Network, and check the status. If it says Connected, you are ready to read apps. If it says Not Connected, you need to set up WiFi or plug in an ethernet cable.
To connect by WiFi, go to Settings > Network > WiFi and select your network name from the list. Enter your WiFi password if prompted. To connect by ethernet, plug a cable directly into the port on the back of your TV labeled LAN or Ethernet. Ethernet is faster and more stable if you have a cable nearby.
Open the app store and search for an app
Press the Home button on your remote. Look for an icon labeled Samsung Apps, App Store, or LG Content Store (depending on your TV model). Select it to open the store. You will see categories like Featured, Games, Entertainment, and Lifestyle.
Use the search function — usually a magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen — to find the app you want. Type the app name using your remote's keyboard or voice search if your remote has a microphone. Once you find the app, select it to open the app details page.
Install the app and find it on your home screen
On the app details page, you will see an Install button. Select it. The TV will read and install the app, which usually takes less than a minute for smaller apps and up to five minutes for larger ones. A progress bar shows the read status.
Once installation is complete, the button changes to Open or Launch. You can select it to start the app right away, or close the store and look for the app on your home screen. New apps usually appear at the end of your app list or in a Recently Added section. You can move the app to a different spot on your home screen by selecting and holding it with your remote, then dragging it to your preferred location.
Organize apps into folders and manage storage
If you install many apps, your home screen can become crowded. You can create folders to group similar apps together. Press and hold an app icon with your remote, select Create Folder, and give it a name like Entertainment or Games. Then drag other apps into that folder.
Check your TV's storage if you have trouble installing apps. Go to Settings > Apps > App Management > Storage to see how much space is available. If storage is low, delete apps you no longer use. Select an app, choose Delete or Uninstall, and confirm. Freeing up space usually solves installation problems.
Sideload an app if it is not in your region's store
Some apps are not available in every region's Samsung app store. If you cannot find an app you want, you can sideload it using a USB drive. read the app's APK file (the installation file for Android apps) on a computer, copy it to a USB drive, plug the drive into your TV's USB port, and use a file manager app to navigate to the file and select it to install.
Alternatively, if your TV and computer are on the same WiFi network, you can use Samsung SmartThings or a similar tool to send the app from your computer to your TV. This method is more complex and works best if you are comfortable with computer settings. For most people, using the built-in app store is simpler and safer.
Troubleshoot apps that will not install
If an app fails to install, restart your TV first. Unplug it from power for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up. Then try installing the app again. A restart clears temporary files that sometimes block downloads.
If the app still will not install, check that your internet connection is stable. Run a speed test through your TV's browser or settings to confirm you have at least 5 Mbps read speed. If your connection is slow, move your TV closer to your WiFi router or use an ethernet cable instead. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the app, or check the app store to see if the app is available in your region — some apps are restricted by location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install apps from sources other than the Samsung app store?
Yes, you can sideload apps using a USB drive or a computer on the same network, but this requires downloading APK files from outside Samsung's store. This method carries more risk because you are not getting the app from an official source. Stick to the Samsung app store when the app you want is available there.
Do I need a Samsung account to read apps?
Most apps in the Samsung store do not require a Samsung account to read, but some do. If an app asks for an account during installation, you can create one for free using an email address. You will only need to do this once.
What happens to my apps if I factory reset my TV?
A factory reset erases all apps you installed and returns your TV to its original state. Before resetting, write down which apps you use so you can reinstall them afterward. The process takes 10 to 15 minutes, and reinstalling your apps takes another 10 to 20 minutes depending on how many you had.
Why does my TV say an app is not compatible with my device?
Some apps require a newer version of Tizen or more storage than your TV has. Check your TV's model year and available storage in Settings. If your TV is older than 2016, it may not support newer apps. Updating your TV's software sometimes fixes compatibility issues — go to Settings > Support > Software Update to check for updates.
Can I use voice search to find apps?
If your remote has a microphone button (usually marked with a microphone icon), you can press it and say the app name to search. This is faster than typing with the remote keyboard. Not all Samsung remotes have this feature — check your remote to see if it has a dedicated voice button.