The basic steps to add an app to your Apple TV

To read an app on your Apple TV, open the App Store from your home screen, search for the app you want, and select it. Then press the select button on your remote and choose "Get" or the cloud icon if you have already downloaded it before. The app will install automatically and appear on your home screen once it finishes.

The process takes less than a minute for most apps, though larger ones may take a few minutes to read depending on your internet speed. You do not need to manually open the app after installation — it will be ready to use as soon as the read completes.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the App Store from your Apple TV home screen, search for the app by name, and press select to begin the read.
  • Your Apple TV downloads and installs apps in the background, so you can start using them when ready without waiting for a progress bar to finish.
  • Apps you have already downloaded on other Apple devices may show a cloud icon instead of "Get," which you can press to read them again.
  • Your home screen automatically reorganizes to show newly downloaded apps, and you can move them by holding select on the remote.
  • You must be signed into your Apple ID on your Apple TV to read apps, and your internet connection must be stable during the read.

Finding apps in the App Store

The App Store is the only place to read apps on Apple TV. You can reach it from your home screen — it usually appears as a blue icon with a white app symbol. Open it and you will see featured apps at the top, categories on the left side, and a search option at the bottom.

To find a specific app, select the search icon and type the name using your remote. The remote keyboard appears on screen and you navigate with the directional pad. Once you type the app name, results appear below and you can select the one you want. If you are browsing instead, use the categories on the left — Streaming, Games, Utilities, and others — to narrow down what you are looking for.

What happens after you press "Get"

When you select an app and press "Get," the read begins when ready. A progress indicator may appear briefly, but your Apple TV does not require you to watch it finish. You can return to your home screen, open another app, or do anything else while the read runs in the background.

Once the read completes, the "Get" button changes to "Open." The app also appears on your home screen automatically, usually at the end of your app list or in a recently added section. Some apps take seconds to read; others may take a few minutes depending on their size and your internet speed.

Signing in with your Apple ID

You must be signed into an Apple ID on your Apple TV before you can read any apps. Your Apple ID is the account you use for iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services. If you set up your Apple TV with an Apple ID, you are already signed in and can read apps when ready.

If you are not signed in, go to Settings on your home screen, select Users and Accounts, then select your user and choose iCloud. You will be prompted to sign in with your Apple ID and password. Once you complete this, you can open the App Store and read apps. If you do not have an Apple ID, you can create one for free on Apple's website before setting up your Apple TV.

Moving and organizing downloaded apps

After you read an app, it appears on your home screen with all your other apps. To move it to a different location, hold down the select button on your remote while the app is highlighted. The app will begin to jiggle, which means it is in edit mode. Use the directional pad to move it where you want, then press select again to place it.

You can also delete apps you no longer use. While in edit mode (holding select), press the play/pause button or the back button, depending on your remote model, and choose "Remove from Home Screen" or "Delete." Deleting removes the app from your Apple TV, but you can always read it again later from the App Store.

Troubleshooting read problems

If an app will not read, first check that your Apple TV is connected to the internet. Go to Settings, select AirPlay and HomeKit, then check Wi-Fi. If your connection is weak or unstable, move your Apple TV closer to your router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

If the connection is strong but the read still fails, restart your Apple TV. Hold the select button on your remote for about 6 seconds until the screen goes dark, then wait a few seconds for it to restart. Once it boots back up, try downloading the app again. If the problem continues, sign out of your Apple ID in Settings, sign back in, and attempt the read once more.

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 results, it is likely not available where you are. Check the app's description in the App Store on your iPhone or Mac to see if there are regional restrictions listed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read apps on my iPhone and have them appear on my Apple TV automatically?

No. Apps you read on your iPhone do not automatically appear on your Apple TV. However, if you have already downloaded an app on your iPhone, it may show a cloud icon in the Apple TV App Store instead of "Get," which you can press to read it to your Apple TV. You must read each app separately on each device.

Why does an app show a cloud icon instead of "Get"?

A cloud icon means you have already downloaded that app on another device using the same Apple ID. Pressing the cloud icon downloads it to your Apple TV. If you see "Get" instead, you have not downloaded it before, and pressing it will read it for the first time.

How much storage space do apps use on my Apple TV?

Most apps use between 50 megabytes and 500 megabytes of storage, though some larger apps can use more. Your Apple TV has enough built-in storage for dozens of apps. You do not need to worry about running out of space unless you read hundreds of apps, which is not practical.

Can I read apps without signing into an Apple ID?

No. You must be signed into an Apple ID to read any app from the App Store. This is a security measure Apple uses to track purchases and prevent unauthorized downloads. If you do not have an Apple ID, you can create one free on Apple's website.

What should I do if an app crashes after I read it?

Force quit the app by holding the select button on your remote for about 6 seconds, then reopen it. If it crashes again, delete the app from your home screen and read it again from the App Store. If the problem persists, restart your Apple TV and try once more.