The basic way to add apps to Apple TV

You add apps to Apple TV through the App Store, which is built into your device. Open the App Store from your Apple TV home screen, search for the app you want, and select it. Then press the select button on your remote and choose "Get" or the cloud icon if you've already bought it. The app downloads and installs automatically — you don't need to do anything else.

The whole process takes a few minutes depending on your internet speed. Once it's done, the app appears on your home screen and is ready to open. You can organize your home screen by moving apps around or deleting ones you no longer use.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the App Store on your Apple TV home screen, search for an app by name, and press select to read it.
  • Your Apple TV must be connected to the internet — either by Wi-Fi or ethernet — for apps to read and work.
  • Apps you've bought on other Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) can be re-downloaded to Apple TV for free using the cloud icon.
  • Some apps require a subscription or login with your account details before you can use them after installation.
  • You can delete apps by holding select on them from the home screen and choosing remove, which frees up storage space.

Finding apps in the App Store

The App Store on Apple TV works like the one on iPhone or iPad. From your home screen, select the App Store icon and you'll see categories like Entertainment, Sports, and Lifestyle. You can browse by category or use the search function at the top to type in the name of an app you want.

When you find the app, select it to see the description, reviews, and screenshots. This is where you'll see if the app is free or costs money, and whether it requires a subscription to use. Some apps like Netflix or Disney+ are free to read but require you to log in with your account once they're installed.

What happens when you press "Get"

When you select "Get" on a free app, Apple TV starts downloading it when ready. A progress bar shows how much of the read is complete. Once it finishes, the button changes to "Open" — you can select that to launch the app right away, or close the App Store and find it on your home screen later.

If the app costs money, you'll see the price instead of "Get". Selecting it will ask you to confirm the purchase using your Apple ID. Your payment method (credit card or Apple account balance) is charged, and the read begins. You can check your purchase history in Settings if you need to confirm what you've bought.

Re-downloading apps you already own

If you've bought an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can read it to Apple TV for free. When you search for that app in the App Store, you'll see a cloud icon with a down arrow instead of "Get". Select that icon and the app downloads without charging you again.

This works because Apple ties purchases to your Apple ID. As long as you're signed into the same Apple ID on your Apple TV that you used to buy the app, the system recognizes you already own it. This is useful if you want to move an app from one device to another or install it on multiple devices.

Internet connection requirements

Your Apple TV must be connected to the internet to read and install apps. You can use Wi-Fi or plug in an ethernet cable if your TV is near a router. Check your connection by going to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Wi-Fi (or Network for ethernet) and confirming it shows "Connected".

A slow or unstable connection can pause downloads or cause them to fail. If a read stalls, go back to the App Store, find the app again, and select it once more — it will usually resume or restart. If your internet keeps dropping, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

Managing storage and organizing your home screen

Apple TV has limited storage space, and large apps like games or video editors can take up room. If you're running low on space, you can delete apps you're not using. Hold select on an app from your home screen until a menu appears, then choose "Remove". The app uninstalls, but you can always re-read it later for free if you own it.

You can also organize your home screen by moving apps around. Hold select on an app until it starts to jiggle, then use your remote to drag it to a new spot. This makes it easier to find the apps you use most. You can create folders by dragging one app onto another, which groups them together.

Logging into apps after you install them

Many apps ask you to log in after they read. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and streaming services all require you to enter your username and password or sign in with your Apple ID. The app will prompt you to do this the first time you open it.

Typing on Apple TV is slower than on a phone because you use the remote to select letters. Some apps let you sign in on your iPhone or iPad instead and then automatically log you in on the TV — look for a "Sign in with iPhone" or similar option. This is faster and saves you from hunting for letters on the remote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sideload apps that aren't in the App Store?

No. Apple TV only installs apps from the official App Store. You cannot sideload apps from other sources or install apps that Apple has rejected. This is a security feature built into Apple TV.

What if an app won't read or gets stuck?

Restart your Apple TV by going to Settings > System > Restart. If that doesn't work, try deleting the app (if it partially installed) and downloading it again. Check that your internet connection is stable by running a speed test on another device. If the problem persists, the app may be temporarily unavailable — try again in a few hours.

Do I need an Apple ID to read apps?

Yes. Your Apple TV must be signed into an Apple ID to access the App Store and read apps. You can use your personal Apple ID or set up a new one for free at appleid.apple.com. The same Apple ID lets you re-read apps you've bought on other devices.

Can multiple people use the same apps on one Apple TV?

Yes. Once an app is installed on your Apple TV, anyone using that TV can open it. However, some apps (like Netflix or Hulu) let each person sign in with their own account, so they see their own recommendations and watch history. Check the app's settings to see if it supports multiple profiles.

Why does an app say "Not Available in Your Country"?

Some apps are only sold in certain regions due to licensing agreements or local laws. If you see this message, the app isn't available for read in your location. You cannot bypass this restriction. Check if a similar app is available instead, or contact the app's developer to ask when it might come to your region.