The fastest way to update apps on Samsung Smart TV
Most Samsung Smart TV apps update automatically in the background, but you can also force an update manually through the Galaxy Store or the Samsung TV Plus app. The method depends on which app you want to update and whether your TV is connected to the internet.
The simplest approach is to open the Galaxy Store (Samsung's app marketplace), find the app you want, and select "Update" if an update is available. If you want all your apps to refresh at once, you can turn on automatic updates in the Galaxy Store settings, which will read and install new versions overnight when your TV is in standby mode.
If an app is not showing an update button, it may already be fully updated, or the developer may not have released a new version yet. Some older apps stop receiving updates entirely, which is normal.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Galaxy Store app on your Samsung TV, search for the app you want to update, and tap the "Update" button if one appears.
- Turn on automatic updates in Galaxy Store settings so apps refresh in the background without you having to check manually.
- If an app does not show an update option, it is already current or the developer is not releasing new versions.
- Your TV must be connected to Wi-Fi for any app updates to read and install.
- Some pre-installed Samsung apps (like Samsung TV Plus) update through a separate system and may not appear in the Galaxy Store.
How to manually update a single app through Galaxy Store
Press the Home button on your remote to open the main menu. Navigate to the Apps section (usually at the bottom of the screen) and select Galaxy Store. Use the search icon or scroll through the Featured or My Apps section to find the app you want to update.
Once you find the app, select it to open its details page. If an update is available, you will see a blue "Update" button. Select it, and the TV will begin downloading and installing the new version. The process usually takes one to three minutes depending on the app size and your internet speed.
While the update is installing, you can continue using other apps or turn off your TV—the update will complete in the background. Once finished, the "Update" button will disappear and be replaced with an "Open" button, meaning the app is ready to use.
Turning on automatic updates so you do not have to check manually
Open the Galaxy Store and navigate to the menu (usually three horizontal lines in the upper corner). Select Settings, then look for an option called "Auto Update" or "Automatic Updates." Toggle this on.
With automatic updates enabled, your TV will check for new app versions every night and install them while your TV is in standby mode. This means you wake up to the latest versions without lifting a finger. The TV must be connected to Wi-Fi and plugged in for this to work—it does not happen if your TV is powered off completely.
You can turn automatic updates off at any time by returning to the same menu and toggling the setting back off. Some users prefer manual updates to control when apps change, especially if they use their TV during specific hours.
What to do if an app will not update or shows no update button
If you cannot find an update button, the app is already on the latest version. Check the app's details page—it will show the current version number. If you want to confirm whether a newer version exists, you can uninstall the app and reinstall it from the Galaxy Store, which will give you the most recent release.
If an app is stuck or behaving strangely, try clearing its cache before updating. Go to Settings on your TV, select Apps, find the app in question, and select "Clear Cache." Then return to the Galaxy Store and attempt the update again.
For pre-installed Samsung apps like Samsung TV Plus or SmartThings, updates may come through a different system. These apps sometimes update automatically as part of your TV's firmware updates, which happen separately from Galaxy Store updates. If you are unsure whether a built-in app has an update available, check your TV's main Settings menu under "About" or "Software Update."
Why your TV needs an internet connection to update apps
App updates are files that live on Samsung's servers. Your TV downloads these files over Wi-Fi and installs them locally. Without an internet connection, your TV cannot reach those servers, so no update can happen.
Make sure your TV is connected to a strong Wi-Fi signal before attempting any updates. If your Wi-Fi is weak or drops during an update, the installation may fail or pause. You can check your connection by going to Settings, selecting Network, and confirming that your TV shows a connected status.
If your TV is connected but updates are not working, try restarting your router and your TV. Unplug your router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart. Then restart your TV the same way. This often clears temporary connection issues that block downloads.
Understanding the difference between app updates and TV firmware updates
App updates are new versions of individual programs like Netflix, YouTube, or Spotify. Firmware updates are changes to your TV's operating system itself—the underlying software that makes the TV run. They are separate processes and happen through different paths.
App updates come through the Galaxy Store and happen on their own schedule set by each app's developer. Firmware updates come from Samsung and are usually released a few times per year. You can check for firmware updates by going to Settings, selecting Support, and choosing "Software Update." Your TV will search for new firmware and install it if one is available.
Both types of updates are important. App updates fix bugs and add features to individual programs. Firmware updates improve your TV's overall performance, security, and compatibility with new apps. You do not have to choose between them—both can happen on your TV.
Troubleshooting when the Galaxy Store itself is not working
If the Galaxy Store app will not open or is frozen, restart your TV completely. Hold the power button on your remote for 10 seconds until the TV shuts down, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. This clears temporary glitches that sometimes affect the store.
If the Galaxy Store still will not work after a restart, check that your TV is connected to Wi-Fi and that the connection is stable. Go to Settings, select Network, and confirm your TV shows a connected status. If you are connected but the store is still broken, try unplugging your TV for two minutes, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot up.
If none of these steps work, you may need to reset the Galaxy Store app itself. Go to Settings, select Apps, find Galaxy Store in the list, and select "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data." Then open the Galaxy Store again—it will rebuild itself from scratch. This usually solves persistent problems, though it may take a few minutes for the store to fully load the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I update apps while watching TV?
Yes. Updates read and install in the background, so you can keep watching or using other apps. The TV may slow down slightly while an update is running, but you do not have to stop what you are doing. Larger apps may take a few minutes, so plan accordingly if you are in the middle of something important.
What happens if I turn off my TV during an app update?
The update will pause and resume the next time you turn the TV back on. You do not lose anything by powering off—the installation straightforward picks up where it left off. However, it is better to let updates finish if possible, as interrupting them repeatedly can occasionally cause problems.
Do I need to pay for app updates?
No. Updates to apps you already own are always free. If an app was free when you installed it, updates remain free. If you paid for an app, you do not pay again for updates—they are included.
Why do some apps not appear in the Galaxy Store?
Some apps are pre-installed by Samsung and do not appear in the Galaxy Store because they are part of the TV's system. These apps (like Samsung TV Plus or SmartThings) update through your TV's firmware updates instead. Other apps may not be available in your region or may have been removed from the store by their developer.
How often should I update my apps?
If you have automatic updates turned on, you do not need to think about it—your TV handles it. If you prefer manual updates, check the Galaxy Store once a month or whenever you notice an app behaving oddly. Updates usually fix bugs and improve performance, so installing them when they are available is a good habit.