The quickest way to update apps on Samsung Smart TV
Most Samsung Smart TVs update apps automatically when you connect to Wi-Fi and leave the TV idle for a few minutes. If you want to update right away, go to the Samsung Apps store (or Galaxy Apps on older models), find the app you want, and select Update if a button appears next to the app name. The TV will read and install the new version without restarting.
If automatic updates are turned off, you can turn them back on in the TV's settings. This is the easiest path because you do not have to remember to check for updates yourself — the TV handles it in the background.
For apps that do not appear in the Samsung store (sideloaded apps or apps from other sources), you will need to update them manually through whatever method you used to install them originally.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Smart TVs update most apps automatically when connected to Wi-Fi, so you may not need to do anything at all.
- To update a single app right away, open the Samsung Apps store, find the app, and tap the Update button if one appears.
- You can turn on automatic updates in the TV's settings under Apps or Applications, usually under a menu called Auto Update or Automatic Updates.
- Apps that came from outside the Samsung store (sideloaded apps) do not update through the Samsung Apps store and must be updated manually.
How to manually update a single app right now
Press the Home button on your remote to go to the main screen. Look for an icon labeled Samsung Apps, Galaxy Apps, or App Store — the exact name depends on your TV model and how old it is. Open it.
Use the remote to scroll through the list of installed apps or search for the one you want to update. When you find it, select it. If an Update button appears, the app has a new version waiting. Select Update and wait for the read and installation to finish. The TV will not restart; you can use it while the update runs in the background.
If no Update button appears, the app is already on the newest version available in the Samsung store.
Turning on automatic updates so you do not have to check
Press Home on the remote and look for a Settings icon (usually a gear or wrench symbol). Open it. Navigate to Apps or Applications — the exact wording varies by model.
Look for an option called Auto Update, Automatic Updates, or Update Apps Automatically. Select it and turn it On. Your TV will now read and install app updates whenever it is connected to Wi-Fi and idle, usually overnight or when you are not watching.
Once automatic updates are on, you do not need to open the Samsung Apps store again unless you want to install a brand-new app. Existing apps will stay current on their own.
What to do if an app will not update
If you see an Update button but the read keeps failing or gets stuck, restart the TV. Press the power button on the remote to turn it off completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then go back to the Samsung Apps store and try the update again.
If the app still will not update, check that your Wi-Fi connection is stable. Go to Settings > Network and confirm the TV is connected. If the connection is weak, move the TV closer to your router or restart the router.
If the update still fails after a restart and a strong connection, the app may have a bug in that particular version. Wait a day or two and try again — Samsung and app makers often release fixes quickly. You can also uninstall the app and reinstall it fresh from the Samsung Apps store, which sometimes works when an update does not.
Updating apps that you sideloaded or installed from other sources
Apps that came from outside the Samsung store do not appear in the Samsung Apps store and will not update through it. These might be apps you installed using a USB drive, an external app store, or a developer tool.
To update a sideloaded app, you need to go back to wherever you got it originally. If you downloaded it from a website, read the newest version from that same website and install it the same way you did the first time. If you got it from another app store or tool, use that tool to check for updates.
Sideloaded apps do not update automatically, so you will need to check for new versions yourself if you want to stay current.
Checking which apps have updates waiting
Open the Samsung Apps store and look for a section called Updates, My Apps, or Installed Apps. This section shows you every app you have installed and which ones have new versions available. You can update them one at a time or, on some models, select all and update them together.
If you have automatic updates turned on, this list will usually be empty because updates happen in the background. But checking it is a good way to see what is installed and confirm that everything is current.
Why your TV might not be updating apps automatically
The most common reason is that automatic updates are turned off. Go to Settings > Apps and look for the auto-update option. If it is off, turn it on.
Another reason is that your TV is not connected to Wi-Fi, or the connection keeps dropping. Apps only update when the TV is online. Check your Wi-Fi connection in Settings > Network.
A third reason is that your TV does not have enough free storage space. If the storage is full, the TV cannot read updates. Go to Settings > Storage and delete apps or files you do not use to free up room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to restart my TV after an app updates?
No. Most app updates install in the background without restarting the TV. You can keep watching or using other apps while the update runs. A few apps may ask you to restart them individually, but the TV itself will not restart.
Can I use my TV while an app is updating?
Yes. Updates run in the background, so you can watch, use other apps, or browse the internet without waiting. The TV will not slow down noticeably.
What happens if the power goes out while an app is updating?
If the power cuts off mid-update, the update will fail and the app will stay on the old version. When power returns, you can try the update again. The app itself will not be damaged or deleted.
Why does the Samsung Apps store look different on my TV than on my phone?
Samsung makes different app stores for different devices. The TV version is designed for a remote and a large screen, so the layout and available apps differ from the phone version. Some apps are only made for phones and will not appear in the TV store.
Can I update apps on my Samsung TV without Wi-Fi?
No. Apps update only over an internet connection. If your TV is not connected to Wi-Fi or ethernet, you will need to connect it before updates can read. Automatic updates will not run without an internet connection.