How to Add an App to Your Apple TV

The fastest way to add an app on Apple TV

Open the App Store on your Apple TV, search for the app you want, and press the Select button on your remote to read it. The app installs automatically and appears on your home screen within seconds. You do not need to restart your device or do anything else — it is ready to use when ready after installation finishes.

If you already own the app on your iPhone or iPad, you can also add it to Apple TV without searching. Open the App Store app on your phone, find the app, tap the cloud icon with a down arrow, and choose your Apple TV from the list of devices. The app downloads to your TV in the background while you do other things.

Key Takeaways

The App Store on your Apple TV remote is the main way to find and read apps — search by name, select the app, and press Select to install.
Apps you own on iPhone or iPad can be sent to Apple TV through the App Store app on your phone by tapping the cloud read icon and choosing your TV.
Your Apple ID must be signed in on your Apple TV before you can read anything, and it should be the same ID you use on your other Apple devices.
Downloaded apps appear on your home screen automatically and take up storage space on your Apple TV, so you can delete ones you no longer use to free up room.

Finding and downloading apps through the App Store on your TV

Press the TV and 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 white dots arranged in a grid — and press Select. The App Store opens and shows featured apps, categories, and a search option at the top.

Use the search function to find the app you want. Press the microphone button on your remote and say the app name, or use the on-screen keyboard to type it. Once you see the app in the results, press Select to open its page. Press the cloud icon with a down arrow (or a button that says "Get") to start the read. The app installs on your Apple TV and moves to your home screen automatically.

Some apps are free and others cost money. If an app costs money, you will see the price instead of a cloud icon. Pressing Select will prompt you to confirm the purchase using your Apple ID. Your payment method on file will be charged, and the app will read after you confirm.

Sending apps from your iPhone or iPad to Apple TV

Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad and find the app you want to add to your Apple TV. Tap the cloud icon with a down arrow next to the app name. A menu appears asking which device you want to send it to.

Select your Apple TV from the list. The app downloads to your TV in the background — you do not have to keep the App Store open or stay on that screen. Check your Apple TV home screen after a few seconds and the app will be there. This method works only if your iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV are all signed in with the same Apple ID.

Making sure your Apple ID is set up correctly

Before you can read any app, your Apple TV must be signed in to an Apple ID. Go to Settings on your home screen, select Users and Accounts, and then select iCloud. If you see "Sign In" or "Not Signed In," press Select and follow the on-screen steps to sign in with your Apple ID and password.

Use the same Apple ID on your Apple TV that you use on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This makes it straightforward to send apps from those devices to your TV, and it keeps your purchases and subscriptions in sync across all your devices. If you use a different Apple ID on your TV, you will not see apps you own on your phone, and you will have to buy them again.

Organizing and removing apps from your home screen

Once an app is installed, it stays on your home screen until you remove it. To delete an app, press and hold the app icon on your home screen until a menu appears. Select "Remove" and then confirm. The app is deleted from your Apple TV, but you can read it again anytime from the App Store without paying again if it was free or if you already own it.

You can rearrange apps on your home screen by pressing and holding an app icon, then moving it to a new spot with your remote. This helps you keep the apps you use most often at the top or in straightforward-to-find places. Your home screen layout is saved automatically, so the next time you turn on your Apple TV, the apps will be in the same order.

What to do if an app will not read or install

If an app gets stuck downloading or shows an error message, try restarting your Apple TV. Go to Settings, select System, and choose Restart. Wait for your TV to turn off and back on, then try downloading the app again from the App Store.

Check that you have enough storage space on your Apple TV. Go to Settings, select AirPlay and HomeKit, then select AirPlay Receiver. Look at the storage information shown. If your Apple TV is almost full, delete apps you no longer use to make room. Some apps are large and need several gigabytes of free space to read.

Make sure your Apple TV is connected to the internet and that the connection is stable. A weak or dropping Wi-Fi signal can interrupt downloads. If your connection is poor, move your Apple TV closer to your router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.

Understanding app storage and updates

Each app takes up storage space on your Apple TV. Larger apps like streaming services or games can use hundreds of megabytes or even gigabytes. Your Apple TV has a fixed amount of storage — usually 32 GB or 64 GB depending on the model — and once it fills up, you cannot read new apps until you delete old ones.

Apps update automatically when your Apple TV is plugged in and connected to the internet, usually overnight. You do not have to do anything to trigger an update. If an app is not working correctly, check the App Store to see if an update is available. Open the App Store, go to the Updates tab, and look for the app in the list. If an update is there, press Select to install it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read apps on Apple TV if I do not have an iPhone or iPad?

Yes. You can read apps directly from the App Store on your Apple TV using your remote. You do not need an iPhone or iPad — you only need an Apple ID and an internet connection. The remote has a microphone button for voice search and an on-screen keyboard for typing app names.

What happens if I delete an app and then want it back?

You can read it again from the App Store anytime. If the app was free or if you already paid for it, you will not be charged again. Go to the App Store, search for the app, and press Select to read it. It will be back on your home screen in seconds.

Do I need to pay for apps twice if I own them on my iPhone and Apple TV?

No. If you own an app on your iPhone or iPad and you are signed in with the same Apple ID on your Apple TV, you can read that app to your TV for free. You only pay once per app, and you can use it on all your Apple devices with that ID.

Why is my app read stuck or moving very slowly?

Check your internet connection — a weak Wi-Fi signal or network congestion can slow downloads. Restart your Apple TV by going to Settings, selecting System, and choosing Restart. If the problem continues, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. Large apps can take several minutes to read even on fast internet.

Can I read apps on my Apple TV if it is not connected to the internet?

No. Your Apple TV must be connected to the internet to read apps from the App Store. Once an app is installed, you can use it offline if the app itself supports offline use — but the initial read requires an internet connection.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.