The fastest way to update an app on Samsung Smart TV
Most Samsung Smart TVs update apps automatically in the background, but you can also update them manually through the Samsung App Store. Open the App Store on your TV remote, find the app you want to update, and look for an "Update" button next to the app name. If you see "Update" instead of "Open," the app has a newer version waiting. Press the button, wait for the read and installation to finish — usually two to five minutes depending on file size and your internet speed — and the app will restart automatically.
If you do not see an "Update" button, the app is already running the latest version. Some apps update silently overnight when your TV is in standby mode and connected to power and Wi-Fi, so you may not notice the update happen at all.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Samsung App Store from your TV's home screen, search for the app, and tap "Update" if the button appears next to the app name.
- Most Samsung Smart TVs are set to update apps automatically at night when the TV is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.
- Manual updates through the App Store take two to five minutes and require a stable internet connection.
- If an app crashes or behaves oddly, force-closing it and restarting your TV often fixes the problem before you need to update.
- Apps that came pre-installed on your TV (like Netflix or YouTube) may update through a separate system settings menu rather than the App Store.
How to manually update a single app
Press the Home button on your Samsung TV remote to go to the main screen. Navigate to the Samsung App Store icon — it usually looks like a shopping bag or grid of squares — and press Enter. Use the arrow buttons on your remote to search for the app you want to update, or scroll through categories like "My Apps" to see apps already on your TV.
When you find the app, press Enter to open its details page. If an "Update" button appears, press Enter on it. The TV will begin downloading the new version. Do not turn off your TV or unplug it during this time. You will see a progress bar or loading indicator while the update installs. Once it finishes, the app will either restart automatically or show an "Open" button, which means the update is complete.
Turning on automatic app updates
Samsung Smart TVs come with automatic updates turned on by default, but you can check and change this setting if updates are not happening. Press the Home button, then navigate to Settings (usually a gear icon). Go to Apps or Applications, then look for an option called "Auto Update" or "Automatic Updates." Make sure it is toggled On.
When automatic updates are enabled, your TV checks for new app versions every night between midnight and 6 a.m., but only if your TV is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi. If your TV is unplugged or offline during this window, the update will happen the next night when those conditions are met. You will not see a notification or progress bar — the update happens silently in the background.
What to do if an app will not update
If you press the "Update" button and nothing happens, or if the button disappears and reappears, your internet connection may be too slow or unstable. Check that your TV is connected to Wi-Fi by going to Settings > Network > Wi-Fi Status. If the connection shows as connected but the update still fails, try restarting your TV: unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully boot up.
If the update button still does not work after a restart, try clearing the app's cache. Go to Settings > Apps, find the app in the list, and select "Clear Cache." This removes temporary files that may be blocking the update. Then go back to the App Store and try updating again. If the app still will not update after clearing the cache, uninstall it completely, restart your TV, and reinstall it fresh from the App Store.
Updating pre-installed apps like Netflix and YouTube
Apps that came built into your Samsung TV — such as Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, or Samsung TV Plus — sometimes update through the system settings menu instead of the App Store. Press Home, go to Settings, then Apps. Look for the app you want to update in the list, select it, and check for an "Update" button on its details page.
If no update button appears in Settings, the app may update only through the Samsung App Store. Go to the App Store, search for the app by name, and check for an "Update" button there. Some pre-installed apps also receive updates as part of a larger TV system update, which you can check for in Settings > Support > Software Update.
Checking your TV's system software version
Your TV's operating system itself also receives updates separate from individual apps. These system updates often include security patches and performance improvements. To check for a system update, press Home, go to Settings, then navigate to Support. Select "Software Update" or "System Update," and your TV will check for the latest version available.
If an update is waiting, you will see a button to read and install it. System updates usually take five to fifteen minutes and require your TV to restart. Do not unplug your TV during a system update — wait until it finishes and reboots on its own. After the update completes, your TV may take longer than usual to start up the first time, which is normal.
Troubleshooting apps that crash after an update
Occasionally an app will crash or freeze when ready after updating. The first step is to force-close the app: press Home to exit it, then go to Settings > Apps, find the app in the list, and select "Force Stop." Wait ten seconds, then go back to the App Store and open the app again. This restart often fixes temporary glitches caused by the update process.
If the app still crashes, try clearing its cache again (Settings > Apps > select the app > Clear Cache), then restart your TV completely. If the app continues to crash after a full TV restart, uninstall it, restart your TV, and reinstall it from the App Store. If it still does not work after a fresh install, the app may have a compatibility issue with your TV model — check the App Store page to see if other users have reported similar problems, or contact the app maker's support team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Samsung TV say an app is up to date when I know there is a newer version?
Samsung's App Store may not carry the absolute latest version of every app, especially if the app maker released an update very recently. The version available in the Samsung App Store is the most recent one compatible with your TV model. If you need a newer version, check the app maker's website to see if they have released a version that Samsung has not yet added to the store.
Can I update apps while my TV is turned off?
Automatic updates can happen while your TV is in standby mode (plugged in but not actively being watched), but manual updates require your TV to be turned on and awake. You cannot start a manual update from your phone or computer — you must use the TV remote and the App Store on the TV itself.
What happens if I unplug my TV during an app update?
Unplugging during an update can corrupt the app and make it unusable. If this happens, go to Settings > Apps, find the broken app, select "Uninstall," and then reinstall it fresh from the App Store. Always wait for the progress bar to disappear and the app to restart before unplugging your TV.
Do I need to pay for app updates?
No. Updates to apps you already own or have installed are always free. You only pay money if you are purchasing a new app for the first time, not when updating an app you already have.
Why is my internet speed affecting app updates?
App files can range from 50 megabytes to over 500 megabytes depending on the app. A slow or unstable Wi-Fi connection may time out before the read finishes. If your TV is far from your router, move it closer temporarily during the update, or restart your router to refresh the connection.