The basic way to add an app to Apple TV

You add apps to Apple TV through the App Store, which is built into your device. Press the Apple TV remote's menu button, scroll to the App Store icon, and open it. Search for the app you want, select it, and press the select button on your remote. The app will read and install automatically — you do not need to do anything else after you press install.

The whole process takes less than a minute for most apps. Once installed, the app appears on your home screen and is ready to use. You can organize your home screen by moving apps around: hold down the select button on any app until it starts to jiggle, then use the remote to drag it to a new spot.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the App Store from your Apple TV home screen, search for an app by name, and press select to install it.
  • Apps read and install in the background while you continue using your Apple TV.
  • You can rearrange apps on your home screen by holding select on an app until it jiggles, then dragging it to a new position.
  • If an app does not appear in the App Store, it may not be available for your Apple TV model or your region.
  • Deleting an app is done by holding select on it and choosing remove, which frees up storage space.

What to do if an app will not install

If you press install and nothing happens, check your internet connection first. Apple TV needs a stable Wi-Fi or ethernet connection to read apps. Go to Settings, then Network, and make sure you are connected. If the connection is fine, restart your Apple TV by going to Settings, then System, then Restart.

If the app still will not install after a restart, the problem may be storage space. Apple TV has limited built-in storage, and if it is full, new apps cannot read. Go to Settings, then Storage, to see how much space is left. If storage is low, delete apps you no longer use by holding select on them and choosing remove.

Some apps are not available in all regions or on all Apple TV models. If you cannot find an app in the App Store, it may straightforward not be offered where you are or for your device. Check the app's requirements on the developer's website to confirm it works with your model.

How to update apps you already have

Apple TV updates apps automatically by default, so you usually do not need to do anything. If you want to check for updates manually, open the App Store, press and hold the select button on your profile icon in the top right corner, and choose Update Available Apps. This will update any apps with new versions waiting to install.

You can also turn off automatic updates if you prefer to update apps yourself. Go to Settings, then Apps, then Automatic Updates, and toggle it off. After that, you will see a notification when updates are ready, and you can choose to install them or wait.

Moving and organizing apps on your home screen

Your Apple TV home screen can hold many apps, and you can arrange them however you like. To move an app, hold down the select button on your remote while pointing at it. The app will start to jiggle, which means it is ready to move. Use the remote to drag it to a new position, then press select again to lock it in place.

You can also create folders to group related apps together. Hold select on an app, then drag it on top of another app. Apple TV will create a folder and ask you to name it. Folders help keep your home screen organized, especially if you have many apps installed.

Removing apps you no longer use

Deleting an app from Apple TV is straightforward and frees up storage space. Hold down the select button on the app you want to remove until it jiggles. A menu will appear with options including Remove. Press select on Remove, and the app will be deleted from your device.

Removing an app does not delete your account or login information for that service. If you reinstall the app later, you can usually log back in with the same username and password. The app's data is stored on the service's servers, not on your Apple TV.

Sideloading apps and using developer mode

Apple TV also allows developers to test apps before releasing them to the App Store through a feature called developer mode. This is not the same as sideloading apps from outside sources. If you are a developer, you can enable developer mode in Settings, then Apps, then Developer, but this requires an Apple Developer account and is intended only for testing purposes.

For regular users, the App Store is the only supported way to add apps to Apple TV. Third-party app stores or sideloading methods are not supported by Apple and can cause problems with your device. Stick to the App Store for the safest and most reliable experience.

Troubleshooting apps that crash or freeze

If an app crashes when you open it or freezes while you are using it, try force-closing it first. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen with your remote to open the app switcher, then swipe up on the frozen app to close it. Wait a few seconds and open the app again.

If the app still does not work, restart your Apple TV. Go to Settings, then System, then Restart. After the restart, try opening the app again. If it continues to crash, check the App Store to see if an update is waiting. Outdated apps sometimes have bugs that are fixed in newer versions.

If nothing works, you can delete the app and reinstall it fresh. This clears out any corrupted files that may be causing the problem. Go to the App Store, search for the app again, and press install. The app will read as a clean copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install apps from outside the App Store on Apple TV?

No, the App Store is the only supported way to add apps to Apple TV for regular users. Third-party sources are not supported and can cause problems with your device. Developers can use developer mode for testing, but that requires an Apple Developer account.

Why does an app say it is not available in my region?

Some apps are only offered in certain countries or regions due to licensing agreements or local laws. If an app is not available where you are, you cannot install it through the App Store. Check the app developer's website to see if they plan to expand availability.

Do I lose my login information if I delete an app?

No, your account information is stored on the app's servers, not on your Apple TV. If you reinstall the app later, you can log back in with the same username and password. Deleting an app only removes it from your device.

How much storage space do apps use on Apple TV?

Storage varies by app — some are only a few megabytes, while others can be several hundred megabytes or larger. You can see how much space each app uses by going to Settings, then Storage. If you are running low on space, delete apps you do not use regularly.

What should I do if an app keeps crashing?

Try force-closing the app by swiping up in the app switcher, then restart your Apple TV through Settings. Check the App Store for updates, since outdated apps sometimes have bugs. If it still does not work, delete and reinstall the app fresh.