The fastest way to get apps on Apple TV

You read apps on Apple TV the same way you do on an iPhone or iPad — through the App Store. On your Apple TV, go to the home screen, open the App Store icon (it looks like a blue square with a white app symbol), search for the app you want, and select it. Then press the select button on your remote and choose "Get" or "Install". The app downloads and installs automatically, and you'll see it appear on your home screen when it's ready to use.

The whole process takes a few minutes depending on the app size and your internet speed. You don't need to do anything else — no codes, no separate accounts, no extra steps. If you already own the app on your iPhone or iPad through your Apple ID, you can often read it free to your Apple TV as well.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the App Store on your Apple TV home screen, search for an app, and press select to read it directly to your device.
  • Apps you've bought on iPhone or iPad may be available free on Apple TV if they're compatible with tvOS.
  • You can also use your iPhone or iPad to search the App Store and send apps to your Apple TV remotely.
  • Your Apple TV needs an active internet connection and enough storage space for the app to read successfully.
  • Deleting an app from your Apple TV doesn't affect your purchase history — you can reinstall it anytime without paying again.

Using your iPhone or iPad to send apps to Apple TV

You don't have to use your Apple TV remote to find and read apps. Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad, find the app you want, and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow (or the price, if you haven't bought it). A menu will appear asking which device you want to send it to. Select your Apple TV from the list, and the app will start downloading to your TV automatically.

This method is faster if you already know which app you want and don't want to type on your Apple TV remote. It's also useful if you're standing in front of your TV and want to queue up several apps at once — send them all from your phone, and they'll install in the background while you do something else.

What to do if an app won't read

If an app starts downloading but gets stuck, or if you see an error message, the most common cause is a weak internet connection. Check that your Apple TV is connected to Wi-Fi and that the signal is strong. You can see your connection status in Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Wi-Fi. If the signal is weak, move your router closer or restart both your router and your Apple TV.

If the connection is fine but the read still fails, try restarting your Apple TV. Hold down the Menu button on your remote for about six seconds until the screen goes dark, then release. Wait about 30 seconds and press any button to turn it back on. After it restarts, go back to the App Store and try downloading the app again.

Some apps may not be available for your specific Apple TV model or tvOS version. If you search for an app and it doesn't appear in the results, or if you see a message saying it's "not compatible", that app isn't made for Apple TV. Check the app's description on the App Store to see which devices it supports.

Managing storage space on your Apple TV

Apple TV models come with either 32 GB or 64 GB of storage, but not all of that space is available for apps — the operating system takes up several gigabytes. If you read many large apps (especially games), you may run out of room. When storage is full, new apps won't read until you delete something.

To see how much space you have left, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Storage. If you're running low, delete apps you no longer use by pressing and holding on them from the home screen, then selecting "Delete". You can always reinstall them later without paying again — your purchase history is saved to your Apple ID.

Signing in with your Apple ID

To read apps, you need to be signed in to your Apple ID on your Apple TV. During setup, Apple TV usually asks you to sign in automatically. If you skipped that step or need to sign in with a different Apple ID, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > iCloud, then select "Sign In". You'll see a code on your TV screen — enter that code on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to complete the sign-in without typing your password on the remote.

Once you're signed in, any apps you read are tied to that Apple ID. If someone else in your household uses the same Apple TV with a different Apple ID, they can read their own apps, and both sets will appear on the home screen. Each person's apps stay separate, and purchases made under one Apple ID won't show up under another.

Updating apps you've already installed

Apps update automatically on Apple TV by default, but you can check for updates manually if you want. Open the App Store, go to the Purchased tab at the bottom, and look for apps with an "Update" button next to them. Press select on any app to update it, or select "Update All" to update everything at once.

If you'd rather control when apps update, go to Settings > Apps > Automatic Updates and turn it off. Then you'll see notifications when updates are ready, and you can choose to install them whenever you want. Keeping apps updated usually fixes bugs and adds new features, so it's generally a good idea to let them update automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read apps from somewhere other than the App Store?

No. The App Store is the only official way to get apps on Apple TV. You cannot sideload apps or read them from other sources. This is a security feature built into tvOS.

Do I need to pay for apps on Apple TV if I already bought them on my iPhone?

Not usually. If an app is available for both iPhone and tvOS, and you've bought it under your Apple ID, you can read it to Apple TV for free. Some apps are sold separately for each platform, so check the App Store listing to see if it's included with your purchase.

What happens to my apps if I factory reset my Apple TV?

Factory resetting erases all apps from your Apple TV. However, your purchase history is saved to your Apple ID, so you can read them all again without paying. Just sign back in with the same Apple ID and reinstall the apps you want.

Why does my Apple TV keep asking me to sign in to read apps?

This usually means your Apple ID session has expired. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > iCloud and sign in again. You may also see this if you're trying to read an app purchased under a different Apple ID — make sure you're signed in with the correct account.

Can multiple people read apps to the same Apple TV?

Yes. Each person can sign in with their own Apple ID and read apps. All apps appear on the home screen, but each person's purchases and settings stay separate. You can switch between users in Settings > Users and Accounts.