How to Download Apps on Your Apple TV

The basic steps to read an app on Apple TV

To read an app on your Apple TV, open the App Store from the home screen, search for the app you want, and select "Get" to read it. The app installs automatically and appears on your home screen within seconds. You do not need to manually install or update apps — Apple TV handles that in the background.

The process is the same whether you own an Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, or an older model running tvOS 12 or later. If you have multiple Apple TVs in your home, you can read the same app to each one using the same Apple ID, and you will not be charged twice for paid apps.

Key Takeaways

Open the App Store on your Apple TV home screen, search for the app by name, and select "Get" to read it when ready.
Apps read and install automatically in the background; you do not need to do anything after tapping "Get".
You must be signed in with an Apple ID to read apps, and the same Apple ID can read to multiple Apple TVs without paying twice.
If an app does not appear after read, restart your Apple TV by going to Settings > System > Restart.
Paid apps charge to the Apple ID account holder, and you can set up purchase restrictions in Settings > Users and Accounts > iCloud to prevent unwanted purchases.

Finding and selecting an app in the App Store

Start by pressing the home button on your Apple TV remote to return to the home screen. Look for the App Store icon — it is a blue square with a white stylized "A" made of sticks. Select it with your remote and press the touch pad or select button to open it.

Once inside the App Store, you will see featured apps, categories, and a search option at the top. Use the search function to find the app you want by typing its name. The remote's keyboard appears on screen; use the touch pad to move between letters and press select to choose each one. If you know the app name, this is the fastest route.

When you find the app, select it to open its detail page. You will see the app name, a description, screenshots, and a button that says either "Get" (for free apps) or shows a price (for paid apps). Select this button to begin the read.

What happens after you select "Get"

After you tap "Get," your Apple TV may ask you to confirm your identity using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password, depending on your settings. This is a security step to prevent unauthorized purchases. Enter your password or use biometric confirmation if prompted.

Once confirmed, the app begins downloading when ready. You will see a progress indicator on the app's icon showing the read status. Most apps read within 10 to 30 seconds on a standard internet connection, though larger apps may take longer. You do not need to wait for the read to finish — you can return to the home screen and do other things while it completes.

When the read finishes, the app automatically installs and appears on your home screen. You can open it right away by selecting it and pressing the select button on your remote.

Signing in with your Apple ID

You must be signed in with an Apple ID to read any app from the App Store, including free ones. If you have not set up an Apple ID on your Apple TV, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > iCloud and select "Sign In." You will be asked to enter your Apple ID email address and password.

If you do not have an Apple ID, you can create one on your Apple TV or on any Apple device. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > iCloud > Create New Apple ID and follow the on-screen steps. You will need a valid email address and a password.

If you share your Apple TV with family members, each person can have their own user account. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Add User to create additional accounts. Each account can have its own Apple ID, and each person's downloads will be tied to their own account.

Finding downloaded apps on your home screen

After an app downloads and installs, it appears automatically on your Apple TV home screen. By default, new apps are added to the end of your home screen, after any apps you already have. You can rearrange apps by selecting one, holding down the select button on your remote until a menu appears, and choosing "Move." Then navigate to where you want it and press select again.

If you do not see a newly downloaded app on your home screen, it may still be installing in the background. Wait a few seconds and check again. If the app still does not appear after a minute, restart your Apple TV by going to Settings > System > Restart. This usually solves the problem.

You can also view all your downloaded apps by going to the App Store, selecting your profile icon in the top right corner, and choosing "Purchased." This shows every app you have ever downloaded with your Apple ID, whether it is currently on your home screen or not. You can re-read any of them from this list.

Managing purchases and preventing unwanted downloads

By default, anyone with access to your Apple TV can read apps if they know your Apple ID password. If you want to prevent this, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > [Your Account Name] > Purchase Restrictions and toggle "Require Password" to on. You can also set restrictions by content type — for example, you can block apps rated for ages 17 and up.

If a family member downloads a paid app by accident, you can request a refund within 14 days. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > [Your Account Name] > Purchase History, find the app, and select "Report a Problem." Apple will review your request and may refund the charge to your account.

If you have Family Sharing set up, family members can read apps that you have already purchased without paying again. They will see a cloud icon instead of "Get" on the app's detail page, and they can read it to their own Apple TV with one tap.

Troubleshooting apps that will not read

If an app fails to read, the most common cause is a weak internet connection. Check that your Apple TV is connected to Wi-Fi and that the connection is stable. You can test this by going to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Wi-Fi and looking at the signal strength. If the signal is weak, move your Apple TV closer to your router or restart your router.

If the connection is strong but the app still will not read, try restarting your Apple TV. Go to Settings > System > Restart and wait for it to turn back on. Then return to the App Store and try downloading the app again.

Some apps may not be available in your region or on your specific Apple TV model. If you search for an app and it does not appear in the App Store, it may not be supported in your country or on your device. Check the app's description on Apple's website to confirm it works with your Apple TV model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for every app I read?

No. Many apps are free to read and use. When you search the App Store, free apps show a "Get" button, while paid apps show a price. Some apps are free to read but charge for features inside the app — these are called in-app purchases. You can turn off in-app purchases in Settings > Users and Accounts > Purchase Restrictions if you want to prevent them.

Can I read the same app to multiple Apple TVs?

Yes. If you own more than one Apple TV and sign in with the same Apple ID on each one, you can read an app once and then read it again to your other Apple TVs without paying twice. The app is tied to your Apple ID, not to a specific device.

What if an app I downloaded is no longer in the App Store?

You can still use it if it is already on your Apple TV. Go to the App Store, select your profile icon, choose "Purchased," and find the app in your list. You can re-read it from there even if it is no longer available to new customers. However, you will not receive updates for it.

How much storage space do apps take up on my Apple TV?

Most apps take between 50 MB and 500 MB of space, though some larger apps can be bigger. Your Apple TV has enough storage for hundreds of apps. If you run out of space, you can delete apps by selecting them on the home screen, holding down the select button, and choosing "Delete." This frees up space without affecting your ability to re-read the app later.

Why is my app asking me to update?

App updates happen automatically on Apple TV when your device is idle and connected to power. If an app is asking you to update manually, go to the App Store, select your profile icon, and look for the app in the list of available updates. Select "Update" next to the app name. Updates are always free, even for paid apps.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.