Samsung SmartHub is your TV's built-in app store and home screen

SmartHub is the main menu system on Samsung televisions. It sits between you and the apps you watch — streaming services, games, web browsers, and settings. When you press the Home button on your remote, SmartHub appears. It organizes everything your TV can do into rows of tiles you scroll through and click.

Think of it as similar to the home screen on a smartphone. Just as your phone groups apps, messages, and settings in one place, SmartHub groups your entertainment options on your TV screen. You do not need a separate device or subscription to use SmartHub itself — it comes built into your Samsung TV and works the moment you turn it on.

The main purpose is speed. Instead of hunting through menus or typing on a keyboard, you see your apps and services right away. Samsung has also added voice control and personalization features over the years, so you can search by speaking or rearrange tiles to match what you actually watch.

Key Takeaways

  • SmartHub is the home screen and app launcher that appears when you press Home on your Samsung TV remote.
  • You can read apps from the Samsung App Store through SmartHub, including Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and others.
  • SmartHub lets you rearrange tiles, delete apps you do not use, and customize what appears on your home screen.
  • Voice search through SmartHub works by pressing the microphone button on your remote and speaking the name of a show, movie, or app.
  • SmartHub does not cost extra — it is included with your TV and requires only an internet connection to read apps.

How to navigate SmartHub and find apps

Press the Home button on your Samsung remote. The SmartHub screen fills your TV. You will see rows of tiles — some are apps Samsung installed by default, others are apps you have downloaded. Use the arrow buttons on your remote to move left, right, up, and down between tiles. Press Enter or OK to open the tile you want.

The top row usually shows your most-watched apps or recently used services. Below that are rows for different categories: Entertainment, Games, News, Sports, or whatever Samsung has organized for your TV model. Scroll down to see more rows. At the bottom of most screens is an Apps section where you can browse the full Samsung App Store.

To read a new app, scroll to the Apps tile or section and press Enter. You will see a store interface showing available apps. Use the search function to type the name of what you want — Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, YouTube — or browse by category. When you find an app, select it and choose read or Install. The app will appear on your home screen once it finishes.

Customizing your SmartHub layout

You can move tiles around to put your favorite apps front and center. Highlight any tile on your home screen, press and hold the Enter button (or look for an Edit option in your remote menu), and you will enter edit mode. Arrow buttons let you move the tile to a new spot. Press Enter again to place it. Exit edit mode by pressing the Back button or selecting Done.

You can also delete tiles you do not use. In edit mode, highlight the app you want to remove and look for a Delete or Remove option — usually pressing the red button on your remote or selecting an X icon. The tile disappears from your home screen, though the app remains on your TV and can be reinstalled from the App Store later.

Some Samsung TV models let you create custom rows or folders to group apps by type — for example, a Sports row with ESPN, NFL+, and your local team's app. Check your TV's settings menu under SmartHub or Home Screen to see what customization options your specific model offers.

Using voice search in SmartHub

Most Samsung remotes have a microphone button — usually marked with a microphone icon or labeled Voice. Press it and speak the name of a show, movie, actor, or app. SmartHub will search across your installed apps and the Samsung App Store for matches. Results appear on screen within a few seconds.

Voice search works best for specific titles: say "The Office" or "Breaking Bad" and SmartHub will show you which apps have that show available. You can also search for app names — say "Netflix" or "YouTube" — and SmartHub will open the app or show you where to read it. Some TV models also let you search by genre or actor, though results vary by region and which apps are installed.

If voice search does not work, check that your remote has batteries and that your TV is connected to the internet. Also make sure your TV's microphone is enabled in Settings. On some older Samsung models, voice search may not be available at all.

What apps are available through SmartHub

The Samsung App Store includes most major streaming services: Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Paramount+, Apple TV+, and Peacock. It also has apps for live TV services like YouTube TV and Sling TV, music services like Spotify and Apple Music, and news apps like CNN, BBC, and ESPN.

Beyond entertainment, you can read web browsers, fitness apps, games, and productivity tools. Some apps are free to read but require a paid subscription to watch content — Netflix and Disney+ are examples. Others are completely free, like YouTube and Pluto TV. The App Store listing for each app shows whether it is free or paid and what subscription services it supports.

The exact apps available depend on your TV model, your region, and your internet connection. Older Samsung TV models may have a smaller selection than newer ones. If you cannot find an app you want, check whether your TV model supports it by searching the Samsung support website or your TV's manual.

SmartHub settings and privacy

You can adjust SmartHub behavior through your TV's Settings menu. Look for an option called SmartHub, Home Screen, or Apps. From there you can turn off recommendations, change the order of rows, enable or disable voice features, and manage which apps appear on your home screen.

SmartHub collects information about what you watch and search for. If you want to limit this, go to Settings, then Privacy or Data Collection, and turn off features like Viewing Information or Ad Personalization. You can also reset your SmartHub recommendations by selecting Reset SmartHub in the Settings menu — this clears your watch history and returns the home screen to its default layout.

Your Samsung account is optional but recommended. If you create one, you can sync your apps and settings across multiple Samsung devices. You can also use your account to manage subscriptions and payments for apps that charge fees. To set up an account, go to Settings, then Account, and follow the prompts.

Troubleshooting common SmartHub problems

If SmartHub is slow or apps are crashing, restart your TV. Unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears the TV's memory and often fixes performance issues. If that does not work, go to Settings, then Apps, and select the app that is having trouble. Choose Storage or Memory and select Clear Cache or Clear Data. This removes temporary files without deleting the app itself.

If you cannot read apps, check your internet connection. Go to Settings, then Network, and make sure your TV is connected to Wi-Fi and has a strong signal. If the connection is weak, move your router closer to the TV or restart your router. You can also try restarting the app store itself by pressing Home, navigating to Apps, and pressing Enter.

If SmartHub will not open at all, try a factory reset. Go to Settings, then Support, then Self Diagnosis, and look for Reset or Factory Reset. This returns your TV to its original state, including SmartHub. You will need to read your apps again, but this fixes most software problems. Before you reset, write down which apps you use so you can reinstall them afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need internet to use SmartHub?

You need internet to read apps and stream content, but SmartHub itself works without it. If your TV is not connected to Wi-Fi, you can still see the home screen and access any apps already installed. However, most apps require internet to work — Netflix, YouTube, and others will not load without a connection.

Can I remove SmartHub or use a different home screen?

You cannot remove SmartHub entirely because it is built into your TV's operating system. However, you can customize it heavily by hiding apps, rearranging tiles, and turning off recommendations. Some TV models also let you set a different app as your default home screen, though SmartHub will still be available if you press Home.

Why does SmartHub show ads or recommendations I did not ask for?

Samsung uses SmartHub to promote apps and content, including paid services. You can reduce this by going to Settings, then Privacy or Ads, and turning off personalized recommendations and ad tracking. You can also manually delete recommendation rows by entering edit mode and removing tiles you do not want.

What happens if I delete an app from SmartHub?

Deleting an app from your home screen removes the tile, but the app stays on your TV. You can reinstall it anytime by going to the App Store and downloading it again. The app's data — like your login information or watch history — may be cleared when you uninstall, depending on the app.

Can I use SmartHub on older Samsung TV models?

SmartHub has been on Samsung TVs since around 2012, but older versions are simpler and have fewer apps available. If your TV is more than 10 years old, you may have limited app choices and no voice search. Check your TV's manual or the Samsung support website to see which SmartHub features your specific model supports.