The fastest way to add an app to Apple TV

Open the App Store on your Apple TV, search for the app you want, and select it. Press the select button on your remote, then choose "Get" or the cloud icon if you already own it. The app downloads and installs automatically — you do not need to do anything else. Once it finishes, the button changes to "Open" and you can launch the app when ready.

The entire process takes less than a minute for most apps. You stay on your TV the whole time; there is no need to use your phone or computer unless you want to.

Key Takeaways

  • The App Store on your Apple TV is the main place to find and install apps directly from your television.
  • Apps you have purchased on other Apple devices may already be available on your Apple TV without paying again.
  • You can also add apps through your iPhone or iPad by opening the Apple TV app and using the "Add to Apple TV" option.
  • Downloaded apps appear on your home screen automatically and can be organized into folders or moved around as you prefer.

Adding apps directly from the Apple TV App Store

Navigate to the App Store icon on your Apple TV home screen and open it. Use the search function or browse by category — the remote's directional buttons move you through the options. When you find an app, select it to see the description, screenshots, and reviews.

Press the select button on your remote to open the app's detail page. Look for the price button or the cloud icon with a read arrow. If the button shows a price, you will be charged to that Apple ID. If it shows a cloud icon, you own the app already and can read it at no cost. Press select again to start the read.

The app installs in the background while you continue using your Apple TV. You will see a progress indicator, and once it finishes, the button changes to "Open." Your app also appears on the home screen automatically.

Using your iPhone or iPad to add apps remotely

Open the Apple TV app on your iPhone or iPad and go to the "Search" tab at the bottom. Find the app you want and tap it to open the detail page. Look for the cloud icon with an arrow or the price button, then tap "Add to Apple TV."

The app will begin downloading to your Apple TV within a few seconds. You do not need to be holding your remote — the read happens over your home Wi-Fi network. Check your Apple TV a moment later and you will see the app on your home screen or in the process of installing.

This method works best if you are browsing on your phone and find an app you want without being near your TV. It also lets you add multiple apps in quick succession without waiting for each one to finish.

What happens to apps you already own

If you have purchased an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can read it to your Apple TV without paying again. The same Apple ID must be signed in on both devices. When you search for the app in the Apple TV App Store, the button will show a cloud icon instead of a price.

Apps marked as "In-App Purchases" may have additional costs inside the app itself, but the app read is still free. Some apps are not available on Apple TV even if you own them on other devices — this depends on whether the developer has made an Apple TV version.

Organizing apps on your home screen

Once apps are installed, they appear on your Apple TV home screen. To move an app, highlight it and hold down the select button on your remote until the app begins to jiggle. Use the directional buttons to move it to a new location, then press select again to place it.

To create a folder, hold select on an app and drag it on top of another app. Both apps move into a new folder, which you can name. Folders help keep your home screen organized if you have many apps installed.

To remove an app, highlight it, hold select until it jiggles, then press the play/pause button or the back button (depending on your remote model). Choose "Remove" from the menu. The app uninstalls when ready, though you can read it again later at no cost if you own it.

Troubleshooting apps that will not read

If an app fails to read, check that your Apple TV is connected to Wi-Fi and has a strong signal. Restart your Apple TV by going to Settings, then System, then Restart. Wait for it to boot back up, then try downloading the app again.

If the read still fails, sign out of your Apple ID on the Apple TV and sign back in. Go to Settings, then Accounts, then iCloud, then sign out. Sign back in with your Apple ID and password, then return to the App Store and try again.

Some apps are region-locked or not available in your country. If you see a message that the app is not available, it may not be offered in your location. Check the app's description page to see if there are any restrictions listed.

Storage and app limits on Apple TV

Apple TV models have different amounts of storage. The 64 GB model holds fewer apps than the 128 GB or 256 GB models. If your storage is full, you will see a message when trying to read a new app. Remove apps you no longer use to free up space.

There is no hard limit on how many apps you can own through your Apple ID, but your Apple TV can only store as many as its storage capacity allows. You can always uninstall and reinstall apps later, so do not worry about losing access to ones you remove.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add apps to Apple TV using my computer?

No, you cannot read apps to Apple TV directly from a Mac or PC. You must use the App Store on your Apple TV itself, the Apple TV app on an iPhone or iPad, or the iTunes Store on a computer to purchase the app first. Once you own it, you can read it to your Apple TV through the methods described above.

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

No. If you own an app on your iPhone and the same app exists for Apple TV, you can read the Apple TV version at no cost as long as the same Apple ID is signed in on both devices. Some apps are sold separately for different platforms, so check the price before assuming it is free.

Why does an app say "Not Available" in the Apple TV App Store?

The app may not be offered in your country or region, or the developer may not have made an Apple TV version. Some apps are only available on iPhone or iPad. Check the app's description page for any region restrictions or compatibility notes.

What should I do if an app keeps crashing after I read it?

Restart your Apple TV by going to Settings, then System, then Restart. Once it boots back up, open the app again. If it still crashes, delete the app and read it again. If the problem continues, the app may have a bug — check the app's support page or contact the developer.

Can I read apps to multiple Apple TVs with one Apple ID?

Yes. Sign in with the same Apple ID on each Apple TV, then read the apps you own to each one. You can use the apps on all your Apple TVs at the same time, though some apps may have terms that limit simultaneous use.