The Basic Steps to Add Apps to Your Apple TV
You install apps on Apple TV through the App Store, which is built into your device. Open the App Store from your home screen, search for the app you want, and select "Get" to read it. The app installs automatically and appears on your home screen once it finishes. Most apps are free, though some charge a one-time fee or require a subscription to use their features.
The process takes the same number of steps whether you're adding a streaming service like Netflix, a game, or a utility app. You don't need a computer or iTunes—everything happens directly on the Apple TV itself. If you own multiple Apple TVs, you can install the same app on each one using the same Apple ID.
Key Takeaways
- Open the App Store on your Apple TV home screen, search for an app by name, and select "Get" to read it without leaving your couch.
- Apps read and install automatically; you'll see them appear on your home screen within seconds to a few minutes depending on app size.
- You need an Apple ID to read apps, and the same ID lets you install apps on multiple Apple TVs in your home.
- Deleting an app from your Apple TV doesn't remove it from your Apple ID account, so you can reinstall it later without paying again.
- If an app won't read, restart your Apple TV and check that you have a stable internet connection before trying again.
Finding and Downloading Apps from the App Store
Start by pressing the Apple TV remote and looking at your home screen. You'll see the App Store icon—it looks like a white square with a blue background. Select it and you'll enter the App Store, where you can browse by category or search by name.
To search for a specific app, select the search icon at the top of the screen. Type the app name using the on-screen keyboard (the remote lets you swipe to select letters). Once you find the app, select it to open its detail page. You'll see a "Get" button; select it to start the read. Some apps show a price instead of "Get"—select the price to purchase and read.
After you select "Get," the app begins downloading when ready. You may see a progress indicator, or the button may change to "Installing." Once it finishes, the button changes to "Open." You don't need to select "Open" right away—the app is already on your home screen and ready to use whenever you want.
Where Downloaded Apps Appear on Your Home Screen
New apps appear at the end of your home screen by default, after any apps you've already installed. You can rearrange them by selecting and holding an app icon with your remote, then moving it to a new position. This is useful if you want your most-used apps at the beginning of your home screen for faster access.
If you can't find a newly installed app, scroll to the right on your home screen to see all your apps. Apple TV shows your home screen in rows, and apps fill from left to right, top to bottom. If your home screen is full, the newest app will be on the next row.
Using Your Apple ID to read Apps
You need an Apple ID to read any app from the App Store, whether it's free or paid. If you don't have an Apple ID, you can create one directly on your Apple TV. Go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, then select Add New User. Follow the prompts to create a new Apple ID, or sign in with an existing one.
Once you're signed in with your Apple ID, any app you read is tied to that account. This means if you buy an app on one Apple TV, you can read it again on another Apple TV using the same Apple ID without paying a second time. Family members can use their own Apple IDs on the same Apple TV—each person's apps and settings stay separate.
If you forget your Apple ID password, you can reset it on Apple's website before trying to read apps. You'll need access to the email address associated with your account.
What to Do If an App Won't read
If an app gets stuck downloading or won't start the read at all, the first step is to restart your Apple TV. Unplug it from power for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for it to fully restart (about 30 seconds), then try downloading the app again.
Check your internet connection next. Go to Settings, select Network, and confirm you're connected to Wi-Fi. If you're connected but the read still fails, try restarting your Wi-Fi router—unplug it for 10 seconds and plug it back in. A weak or unstable connection is the most common reason downloads stall.
If the app still won't read after restarting both devices, sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in. Go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, select your account, then select Sign Out. Sign back in and try the read again. This refreshes your account connection and often fixes read problems.
Removing Apps You No Longer Want
To delete an app from your Apple TV, select and hold the app icon on your home screen with your remote. A menu appears with options including "Remove." Select "Remove," then confirm by selecting "Remove from Home Screen." The app disappears from your home screen when ready.
Deleting an app from your home screen doesn't erase it from your Apple ID account. You can read it again later without paying a second time if it was a paid app. This is useful if you want to free up space but might want to use the app again in the future.
If you want to completely remove an app and prevent it from appearing in your App Store purchase history, you'll need to manage your account on Apple's website. For most people, straightforward removing it from the home screen is enough.
Managing Apps Across Multiple Apple TVs
If you have more than one Apple TV in your home, you can install the same apps on all of them using your Apple ID. Sign in with the same Apple ID on each device, then read the apps you want on each one. You don't pay twice for paid apps—your purchase history follows your Apple ID.
Each Apple TV keeps its own home screen layout, so you can arrange apps differently on each device. For example, you might put gaming apps first on the Apple TV in your bedroom and streaming apps first on the one in your living room. Settings and preferences stay separate too, so each TV can have its own configuration.
If you share an Apple TV with family members, each person can sign in with their own Apple ID. That way, each person's apps, purchases, and viewing history stay private. You can switch between users by going to Settings and selecting Users and Accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for apps on Apple TV?
Most apps are free to read, though some charge a one-time purchase fee. Many streaming apps like Netflix and Disney+ are free to read but require a paid subscription to watch content. Check the App Store listing to see if an app is free or has a cost before you read.
Can I use the same Apple ID on multiple Apple TVs?
Yes. Sign in with the same Apple ID on each Apple TV, and you can read paid apps on all of them without paying multiple times. Each TV keeps its own home screen and settings, so you can customize them separately.
What happens if I delete an app by accident?
You can read it again from the App Store at no cost if it was a free app, or without paying again if it was a paid app. Your purchase history is saved to your Apple ID, so the App Store remembers you own it.
Why is my app read stuck?
Restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then check your Wi-Fi connection. If the read still won't start, restart your Wi-Fi router and try again. If it continues to fail, sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in.
Can I organize my apps into folders on Apple TV?
Apple TV doesn't support folders like iPhones do. You can only rearrange apps by selecting and holding each one, then moving it to a new position on your home screen. Arrange your most-used apps at the beginning for easier access.