The fastest way to add apps on Apple TV

You add apps to 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 press the select button to install it. The app downloads and installs automatically — you do not need to do anything else. Once installed, the app appears on your home screen and is ready to use.

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 need an active internet connection and an Apple ID signed into your device. If you have never set up an Apple ID on your Apple TV, you will need to do that first through Settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the App Store from your home screen, search for an app by name, and press select to install it when ready.
  • Apps you install appear automatically on your home screen and stay there until you remove them.
  • You can organize your home screen by moving apps around or deleting ones you no longer use.
  • Some apps require a separate account or subscription to use, even though downloading them is free.
  • If an app will not install, restart your Apple TV and check that you have enough storage space available.

Finding and installing apps through the App Store

The App Store on Apple TV works like the one on iPhone or iPad. Press the home button on your remote to reach the home screen, then navigate to the App Store icon and press select. You will see featured apps, categories, and a search option at the top.

To find a specific app, select the search icon, use your remote to type the app name, and press select when you see it in the results. Open the app's page and press select on the "Get" button. The app begins downloading when ready. You do not need to confirm payment or enter a password unless you have not purchased anything on this Apple ID before — in that case, you may be asked to verify your identity once.

Once the app finishes installing, the "Get" button changes to "Open." You can press select to launch the app right away, or press the home button to return to your home screen and open it later. The app will remain on your home screen until you delete it.

Organizing apps on your home screen

Your Apple TV home screen shows all installed apps in a grid. You can rearrange them by moving your cursor to an app, pressing and holding the select button, then using the remote to move it to a new position. Release the select button to drop it in place.

To delete an app, highlight it, press and hold select, then choose "Remove from Home Screen" or "Delete" depending on your tvOS version. Deleting removes the app from your home screen but does not uninstall it — you can reinstall it from the App Store at any time without paying again. If you want to completely remove an app from your device to free up storage space, go to Settings, then Apps, find the app, and choose "Delete."

What to do if an app will not install

If an app fails to install or gets stuck, the first step is to restart your Apple TV. Hold the menu button on your remote for a few seconds until the shutdown screen appears, then select "Restart." Wait for the device to power back on, then try installing the app again.

Check that you have enough storage space. Go to Settings, then About, and look at the available storage. If you are running low, delete apps or content you no longer use. Some apps require a minimum amount of free space to install, even if the app itself is small.

Make sure your internet connection is stable. If your Wi-Fi is weak or dropping, move your Apple TV closer to your router or restart your router. If the app still will not install after these steps, try signing out of your Apple ID and signing back in. Go to Settings, then Accounts, select your Apple ID, and choose "Sign Out," then sign back in with your credentials.

Apps that need separate accounts or subscriptions

Many apps are free to read but require you to sign into an account or pay a subscription to watch content. Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max are examples — you can read them for free, but you need an active subscription to stream anything.

When you open one of these apps for the first time, it will ask you to sign in or create an account. You can use the same login you use on your phone or computer. Some apps let you sign in through your Apple ID or another service like Google or Facebook, which is faster than typing your username and password on a TV remote.

Using Family Sharing to manage apps across devices

If you have Family Sharing set up on your Apple ID, family members can read apps you have purchased without buying them again. On your Apple TV, go to Settings, then Accounts, select your Apple ID, and check that Family Sharing is enabled.

Family members with their own Apple IDs can sign into the Apple TV and read any app that the family organizer has purchased. They will see those apps available in the App Store marked as "Installed" or with a cloud icon. This is useful if you buy a paid app and want other people in your household to use it without each person paying separately.

Updating apps on your Apple TV

Apps update automatically by default on Apple TV. Your device checks for updates when it is in standby mode and installs them overnight. You do not need to do anything — updates happen in the background.

If you want to check for updates manually, open the App Store, go to the menu, and select "Updates." You will see a list of apps with available updates. Press select on an app to update it right away, or select "Update All" to update everything at once. You can also turn off automatic updates in Settings if you prefer to update apps manually, though this is not recommended because updates often include security fixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read apps on my Apple TV if I do not have an Apple ID?

No. You must have an Apple ID signed into your Apple TV to read apps from the App Store. If you do not have an Apple ID, you can create one for free at appleid.apple.com using an email address and password. Then sign into your Apple TV with that ID in Settings under Accounts.

Why does an app say "Get" instead of "Open" after I read it?

This usually means the app did not finish installing or the installation failed. Try restarting your Apple TV and checking your internet connection. If the problem continues, delete the app from your home screen and try downloading it again from the App Store.

Can I use the same apps on my Apple TV that I use on my iPhone?

Most apps are available on both devices, but not all. Some apps are made only for iPhone or only for Apple TV. When you search the App Store on your Apple TV, you will only see apps compatible with that device. If an app you want is not in the Apple TV App Store, it is not available for Apple TV.

What happens to my apps if I reset my Apple TV to factory settings?

Resetting your Apple TV removes all apps and data. After you set it up again and sign back into your Apple ID, you can reinstall any apps you downloaded before — they will not cost anything again because your Apple ID remembers your purchases. You will need to sign into each app separately with your account credentials.

Can I sideload apps onto Apple TV without using the App Store?

Apple TV does not support sideloading apps the way some Android devices do. The only official way to install apps is through the App Store. You cannot install apps from other sources or transfer them from a computer.