Where to find and read apps on Apple TV
Apps on Apple TV come from the App Store, which is built into your device. You open it the same way you open any other app on your Apple TV — using your remote and the home screen. The App Store shows you featured apps, lets you search by name, and displays apps organized by category. When you find an app you want, you select it and choose to read it; the app then installs automatically and appears on your home screen.
The process is the same whether you own an Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, or an older model running tvOS 11 or later. You do not need a computer or a second device to read apps — everything happens directly on the Apple TV itself through your remote.
Key Takeaways
- Open the App Store on your Apple TV home screen, search for the app you want, and select read to install it.
- Apps read and install in the background; you can use your Apple TV while this happens.
- You need an Apple ID signed into your Apple TV to read apps, and the same Apple ID you use on your iPhone or Mac works here.
- Apps appear on your home screen once they finish installing, and you can organize or delete them by holding down the remote's select button.
Step-by-step: downloading an app from the App Store
Start by pressing the home button on your Apple TV remote to go to the home screen. Look for the App Store icon — it looks like a blue square with a white circle inside — and select it. The App Store opens and shows you featured apps and categories.
To find a specific app, select the search icon (a magnifying glass) at the top of the screen. Type the app name using your remote's keyboard. Once you see the app in the results, select it to open its detail page. On that page, you will see a read button. Select it, and the app begins downloading. You will see a progress circle appear on the app's icon as it installs.
You do not have to wait for the read to finish before doing something else. Your Apple TV continues downloading in the background, and you can watch TV, open other apps, or browse the App Store while it works. Once the read is complete, the app appears on your home screen and is ready to use.
What you need before you can read
Your Apple TV must be signed into an Apple ID before you can read any apps. If you set up your Apple TV from scratch, you created or signed into an Apple ID during the setup process. If you are not sure whether you are signed in, go to Settings on your Apple TV, select Users and Accounts, and look for your Apple ID name.
The Apple ID you use on your Apple TV can be the same one you use on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or it can be different. If you want to use the same ID across devices — so that apps you buy on one device are available on another — sign in with that ID on your Apple TV. If you want to keep your Apple TV separate, create a new Apple ID just for it.
You also need an internet connection. Your Apple TV must be connected to Wi-Fi to read apps. If your Wi-Fi is not working, the App Store will not let you read anything.
Free apps versus apps you have to pay for
Some apps in the App Store are free, and some cost money. When you select a free app, the read button says "Get" or "read." When you select a paid app, the button shows the price — for example, "$4.99." Selecting the button on a paid app will prompt you to confirm the purchase using your Apple ID. The charge goes to the payment method linked to that Apple ID.
If you have already bought an app on another device using the same Apple ID, you can read it again on your Apple TV at no extra cost. The App Store recognizes that you own it and shows a read button instead of a price.
Managing apps on your home screen
Once an app is downloaded and installed, it appears as an icon on your Apple TV home screen. If you want to move it to a different spot, hold down the select button (the center button) on your remote while the app is highlighted. A menu appears with options to move the app. Use the remote to position it where you want, then press select again to confirm.
To delete an app you no longer use, highlight it on the home screen, hold down the select button, and choose "Remove from Home Screen" or "Delete." Deleting removes the app from your Apple TV entirely, but you can read it again later from the App Store at no cost if it was free, or without paying again if you bought it.
Troubleshooting common read problems
If an app will not read, first check that your Apple TV is connected to Wi-Fi and that the connection is working. Open Settings, go to Network, and verify that you are connected. If Wi-Fi is working but the app still will not read, try restarting your Apple TV. Hold down the home button on your remote for about six seconds until the control center appears, then select Sleep. Wait a few seconds, press home again to wake it up, and try downloading the app once more.
If you see a message that says you do not have enough storage space, your Apple TV's storage is full. Delete apps or content you no longer need to make room. Apple TV models have different storage sizes — some have 32 GB and some have 64 GB — so the amount of space available varies.
If you are still having trouble, sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in. Go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, highlight your Apple ID, and select Sign Out. Then go back to Users and Accounts and select Sign In, and enter your Apple ID and password again. This often fixes read problems that are tied to your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read the same app on multiple Apple TVs?
Yes, if you sign into the same Apple ID on each Apple TV. Apps you read are tied to your Apple ID, not to a specific device. If you buy an app on one Apple TV, you can read it on another Apple TV using the same ID without paying again.
What happens to my apps if I restart my Apple TV?
Your apps stay on your Apple TV. Restarting does not delete anything. It straightforward turns the device off and back on, which can fix problems like slow performance or apps that are not responding.
Do I need to pay for apps every time I read them?
No. Once you buy an app, you own it on your Apple ID. You can read it again on the same Apple TV or on a different Apple TV using that ID without paying a second time. Free apps can be downloaded as many times as you want.
Can I read apps on my iPhone and have them appear on my Apple TV?
Not automatically. Apps are separate between devices. If you want an app on your Apple TV, you must read it directly on the Apple TV through the App Store there. However, if you use the same Apple ID on both devices, any app you buy is available to read on both.
Why does my Apple TV say an app is not compatible?
Some apps require a newer version of tvOS than your Apple TV is running. Check your Apple TV's tvOS version in Settings under System, then About. If an app says it is not compatible, your device may be too old to run it, or you may need to update tvOS first.