The App Store is built into your Apple TV home screen
The App Store on Apple TV is not a separate app you read — it comes with your device. You reach it directly from the home screen by scrolling to find the App Store icon, which looks like a white square with blue and white squares inside it. The exact location depends on your Apple TV model and how you have arranged your home screen, but it is always available without any setup.
Your Apple TV connects to the same Apple ID you use on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Apps you buy or read on one device can be installed on your Apple TV through the App Store without paying again. If you have never signed in with an Apple ID on your Apple TV, you will need to do that first — the setup process walks you through it when you turn on the device for the first time.
Key Takeaways
- The App Store icon appears on your Apple TV home screen and does not need to be downloaded or installed.
- You navigate to it by scrolling left or right on the home screen until you see the white square icon with colored squares inside.
- Your Apple ID is required to browse and read apps, and it should be set up during your initial Apple TV setup.
- Once you open the App Store, you can search for apps by name, browse categories, or see what is trending and recommended.
How to scroll to the App Store icon
When you turn on your Apple TV and reach the home screen, you see a grid of app icons. The App Store is usually positioned near the top or left side of this grid, but its exact spot depends on whether you have rearranged your home screen. Use your Apple TV remote to move the cursor left, right, up, or down until the App Store icon is highlighted.
The App Store icon is distinctive — it is a white or light-colored square with smaller blue and white squares arranged inside it. Once it is highlighted, press the center button (or the select button, depending on your remote model) to open it. The App Store then loads, and you see categories like Games, Entertainment, Productivity, and Featured apps.
What to do if you cannot find the App Store
If you have scrolled through your entire home screen and do not see the App Store icon, it may have been moved or hidden. On some Apple TV models, you can customize which apps appear on the home screen. Check whether the App Store is in a folder or on a different page of your home screen by continuing to scroll.
If the App Store is truly missing, you can restore it. Go to Settings on your home screen, then select Apps, then App Store. From there, you should see an option to restore or re-enable the App Store. If you are still unable to locate it, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot up.
Signing in with your Apple ID
To read apps from the App Store, you need to be signed in with an Apple ID. If you set up your Apple TV with an Apple ID, you are already signed in. If you skipped this step or used a different account, you can sign in by going to Settings, then Accounts, then iCloud, and entering your Apple ID email and password.
Your Apple ID is the same account you use for iCloud, the iTunes Store, or the App Store on iPhone and iPad. If you do not have an Apple ID, you can create one for free at appleid.apple.com. Once you are signed in on your Apple TV, any apps you purchase or read appear in your library and can be installed on any of your devices.
Browsing and searching for apps
Once the App Store is open, you see several ways to find apps. The Featured tab shows apps Apple recommends, organized by category. The Categories tab lets you browse by type — Games, Entertainment, Education, Productivity, and others. The Search tab lets you type the name of an app you are looking for using your remote.
To search, highlight the search box at the top of the App Store, press the center button on your remote, and use the on-screen keyboard to type the app name. As you type, matching results appear below. Once you find the app you want, highlight it and press the center button to see more details, read reviews, and choose to read it.
Installing apps after you find them
When you find an app in the App Store, its detail page shows a description, screenshots, reviews, and a button to read or install it. If the app is free, the button says "Get" or shows a read icon. If the app costs money, the button shows the price. Press the center button on your remote to start the read.
Most apps read and install within seconds to a few minutes, depending on the app size and your internet speed. Once installation is complete, the button changes to "Open" — you can press it when ready to launch the app, or you can go back to your home screen and find the app there. Apps you read remain on your Apple TV until you delete them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay to use the App Store?
No. The App Store itself is free to browse and use. Many apps are free to read, though some apps charge a one-time fee or a subscription. You can see the price before you read, and free apps have no cost.
Can I read the same app on multiple Apple devices?
Yes. If you buy an app on your iPhone or iPad, you can read it on your Apple TV at no extra cost using the same Apple ID. Go to the App Store on your Apple TV, search for the app, and read it. The purchase is tied to your Apple ID, not to a single device.
What if an app fails to read?
Check your internet connection first — Apple TV needs a stable Wi-Fi or ethernet connection to read apps. If the connection is fine, try restarting the read by going back to the app's detail page and pressing the read button again. If it still fails, restart your Apple TV and try once more.
Can I delete apps from the App Store?
You delete apps from your home screen, not from the App Store. Highlight the app icon on your home screen, press and hold the center button on your remote, then select "Delete" or "Remove". The app is removed from your Apple TV but remains in your App Store library, so you can read it again later.
How do I find apps I have already downloaded?
Go to the App Store and look for a tab called "Purchased" or "My Apps". This shows all the apps tied to your Apple ID, whether they are currently installed on your Apple TV or not. You can reinstall any of them by selecting the app and pressing read.