The basic path: Samsung's app store and your remote
Installing apps on a Samsung Smart TV happens through the Samsung TV Plus app store, which comes built into your TV. You navigate to it using your remote, find the app you want, and install it directly to your TV — no computer needed. The whole process takes a few minutes and works the same way whether you own a 2020 model or a current one.
Your TV connects to the internet through Wi-Fi or ethernet, so make sure that connection is active before you start. If your TV is not yet connected to Wi-Fi, go to Settings on your remote, select General, then Network, and choose your network name and password.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Samsung TV Plus app store by pressing the Home button on your remote, then navigate to the Apps section.
- Search for the app you want, select it, and press Install — the app downloads and appears on your home screen automatically.
- Most popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and Disney+ are available in the Samsung store and install in under a minute.
- If an app does not appear in the Samsung store, you may be able to sideload it through a USB drive or mirror it from your phone, though this requires extra steps.
- Your TV stores installed apps in the Apps section of the home screen, and you can delete any app by highlighting it and pressing the Delete button.
Finding and installing apps from the Samsung app store
Press the Home button on your Samsung remote. This takes you to the home screen. Look for the Apps icon — it usually appears as a grid or folder symbol in the bottom row of your home screen. Select it and press Enter.
You are now in the Apps section. Look for the Samsung TV Plus store icon or a magnifying glass icon labeled Search. If you know the name of the app you want, select Search, type the app name using your remote's keyboard, and press Enter. If you want to browse, select Featured or Categories to see what is available.
Once you find the app, highlight it and press Enter. A details page opens showing the app name, description, and an Install button. Press Enter on Install. The app downloads — you will see a progress bar — and once it finishes, the button changes to Open. You can press Open to launch it right away, or press Home to go back to your home screen, where the app now appears in your Apps section.
Popular apps that work on Samsung TVs
Most streaming services are available in the Samsung app store. Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Paramount+, and Apple TV+ all have official Samsung TV apps. Music apps like Spotify and YouTube Music are there too. News apps like CNN, BBC News, and Reuters are available, as are fitness apps like Peloton and YouTube Fitness.
If you use Plex, Kodi, or Emby to manage your own media library, those apps are in the Samsung store as well. The availability of specific apps varies slightly depending on your TV model and your region, but the major services are on nearly all Samsung TVs made in the last five years.
What to do if an app is not in the Samsung store
Not every app appears in the Samsung TV Plus store. If you cannot find an app you want, you have two options: sideload it using a USB drive, or mirror it from your phone.
Sideloading via USB requires downloading the app file (called an APK) to a computer, copying it to a USB drive, plugging the drive into your TV's USB port, and using a file manager app on your TV to locate and install it. This is more technical and carries a small risk if you read from an untrusted source. Only sideload apps from sources you trust — the official app developer's website or GitHub are safer than random read sites.
Mirroring from your phone is simpler. If you have an Android phone, you can cast apps to your TV using Google Cast (built into most Android phones and apps). If you have an iPhone, you can use AirPlay if your Samsung TV supports it — most models from 2018 onward do. Open the app on your phone, look for a Cast or AirPlay icon, select your TV, and the app streams to your screen. This does not install the app on your TV permanently; it just displays your phone's screen on the TV.
Managing storage and deleting apps
Samsung Smart TVs have limited storage — usually between 4 and 8 GB depending on the model — and apps take up space. If you install many apps, you may run out of room and see a message that storage is full. When this happens, you need to delete apps you no longer use.
Go to your home screen, navigate to the Apps section, highlight an app you want to remove, and press the Delete button on your remote (or press and hold Enter until a menu appears). Confirm the deletion. The app is removed from your TV and its storage is freed up. You can always reinstall it later from the Samsung store.
If you have a TV model that supports external storage, you can plug in a USB drive or external hard drive to add more space. Check your TV's manual or Settings menu under Storage to see if this option is available on your model.
Troubleshooting apps that will not install
If an app fails to install, the most common cause is a weak internet connection. Check that your TV is connected to Wi-Fi and that the signal is strong. If your Wi-Fi is slow or far from your TV, move your router closer or restart it by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
The second most common cause is that your TV does not have enough free storage. Go to Settings, select General, then Storage to see how much space is left. If you are below 500 MB free, delete a few apps you do not use and try again.
If the app still will not install, restart your TV by unplugging it for one minute, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot. Then try installing the app again. If it still fails, the app may not be compatible with your TV model or region — check the app's details page to see if there is a compatibility note.
Keeping your apps updated
Apps on your Samsung TV update automatically by default. Your TV checks for updates when it is in standby mode (not actively in use) and installs them overnight. You do not need to do anything — updates happen in the background.
If you want to check for updates manually, go to Settings, select Support, then Software Update. This checks for updates to your TV's operating system itself. For individual app updates, go to the Samsung TV Plus store, select My Apps, and you will see a list of installed apps with an Update button next to any that have a newer version available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install apps from Google Play Store on my Samsung TV?
Not directly. Samsung TVs use their own app store, not Google Play. However, some Samsung TVs made after 2020 have Google TV built in, which does use Google Play Store. Check your TV's home screen — if you see a Google Play icon, you can use it. Otherwise, stick to the Samsung TV Plus store.
Why does my app keep crashing after I install it?
Apps crash when your TV runs out of memory or the app has a bug. Try restarting the app by closing it and opening it again. If it keeps crashing, restart your TV by unplugging it for one minute. If the problem continues, uninstall the app and reinstall it fresh from the Samsung store.
Do I need a Samsung account to install apps?
No. You can browse and install apps from the Samsung store without signing in. However, some apps like Netflix or Spotify require you to sign into your account within the app once it is installed on your TV.
Can I move apps to a USB drive to save space?
Most Samsung TVs do not allow you to move apps to external storage. Your only option to free up space is to delete apps you do not use. Some newer models may support this — check your TV's Storage settings to see if an option appears.
What happens to my apps if I factory reset my TV?
A factory reset removes all installed apps and returns your TV to its original state. You will need to reinstall any apps you want. Before doing a factory reset, write down which apps you have installed so you remember what to put back.