The basic steps to read an app on Apple TV
To read an app on Apple TV, open the App Store from your home screen, search for the app you want, and press the select button on your remote to install it. The app downloads automatically and appears on your home screen once installation finishes. Most apps are free, though some require payment or a subscription to the service itself (like Netflix or Disney+).
The whole process takes a few minutes at most. You do not need a computer or any other device — everything happens directly on your Apple TV through the remote.
Key Takeaways
- Open the App Store from your Apple TV home screen, then search for the app by name using your remote.
- Press select on the app listing, then confirm the read — it installs automatically without any further steps from you.
- Downloaded apps appear on your home screen and stay there until you delete them, even if you do not use them.
- Your Apple TV must be connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or ethernet) for downloads to work.
- If an app fails to read, restart your Apple TV and try again, or check that you have enough storage space available.
Finding the App Store on your home screen
When you turn on your Apple TV, you see the home screen with rows of apps and content. The App Store is a built-in app that appears on this screen — it looks like a white square with a blue background and a stylized app symbol inside. If you do not see it when ready, swipe down or across to scroll through your home screen until you find it.
Once you locate the App Store icon, press the select button (the center circle) on your remote to open it. The App Store then displays categories like Games, Entertainment, and Utilities, along with a search option at the top.
Searching for and selecting an app
Use the search function to find the app you want. Press the select button on the search bar at the top of the App Store, then use your remote to type the app name. The Apple TV remote has a keyboard built in — you can either use the trackpad to select letters, or speak the app name aloud if your remote supports voice search (most newer Apple TV remotes do).
Once you type the app name, a list of matching results appears. Highlight the app you want with your remote and press select to open its detail page. This page shows the app description, reviews, screenshots, and a button that says "Get" or displays the price if the app costs money.
Installing the app and confirming the read
Press select on the "Get" button to start the read. If the app costs money, you will be asked to confirm the purchase using your Apple ID password or Face ID / Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad (if you have those devices linked to your Apple TV). Free apps read when ready without any confirmation step.
Once you confirm, the button changes to show a progress indicator — usually a spinning circle or a percentage. The read and installation happen in the background, and you can leave the App Store or return to your home screen while this happens. You do not need to wait for it to finish.
Finding your newly downloaded app
When the installation completes, the app appears on your Apple TV home screen, usually at the end of your existing apps or in a section you can customize. The app is now ready to open and use. straightforward press select on the app icon to launch it.
If you want to organize your home screen, you can move apps around by pressing and holding the select button on any app, then using your remote to drag it to a new position. You can also delete apps by pressing and holding, then selecting delete — this removes the app from your Apple TV but does not affect your Apple ID account.
Troubleshooting when an app will not read
If a read stalls or fails, the most common fix is to restart your Apple TV. Go to Settings, select System, then Restart. Once your Apple TV restarts, return to the App Store and try downloading the app again.
Check that your Apple TV is connected to the internet — open Settings, go to Network, and confirm you see a Wi-Fi or ethernet connection. If you are connected but the read still fails, check how much storage space your Apple TV has available. Go to Settings, select AirPlay and HomeKit, then look at the storage information. If your Apple TV is nearly full, delete apps or content you no longer use, then try the read again.
If the app page shows "Unavailable" instead of "Get", the app may not be compatible with your Apple TV model or may not be sold in your region. Check the app's system requirements on its detail page to confirm your Apple TV meets them.
Updating apps you have already downloaded
Apps update automatically on Apple TV by default. You do not need to do anything — your Apple TV checks for updates regularly and installs them in the background, usually overnight when your device is idle.
If you want to check for updates manually, open the App Store, press select on your profile icon (usually in the top right corner), and look for an "Updates" section. Any apps with available updates appear there, and you can press select to update them individually. You can also turn off automatic updates in Settings if you prefer to update apps yourself, though most people leave this setting on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Apple ID to read apps?
Yes, you need an Apple ID linked to your Apple TV to read apps from the App Store. You set this up when you first configure your Apple TV. If you do not have an Apple ID, you can create one for free at appleid.apple.com using any email address.
Can I read the same app on multiple Apple TVs?
Yes. If you use the same Apple ID on multiple Apple TVs, you can read the same app on each one. The app appears on all your devices, and you do not pay twice for paid apps — your purchase is tied to your Apple ID, not to a single device.
What happens if I delete an app and want it back?
You can read it again for free from the App Store. If the app cost money the first time, you do not pay again — your purchase history is saved to your Apple ID. Open the App Store, find the app, and the button will say "Get" instead of asking for payment.
Why does an app say "Requires tvOS update"?
The app needs a newer version of tvOS (Apple TV's operating system) than what your Apple TV currently has. Go to Settings, select System, then Software Updates, and install any available updates. Once your Apple TV is updated, you can read the app.
Can I read apps from anywhere other than the App Store?
No. The App Store is the only official way to read apps on Apple TV. You cannot sideload apps or read them from other sources the way you might on a computer.