The fastest way to add apps to 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 select it. The app downloads and installs automatically — you do not need to do anything else after you hit the button. Most apps appear on your home screen within seconds.

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 signed in, you will be prompted to do so the first time you try to read an app.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the App Store from your Apple TV home screen, search for an app by name, and select it to read and install automatically.
  • You must be signed into an Apple ID on your Apple TV before you can read any apps.
  • Apps you read appear on your home screen and can be rearranged by holding the select button on your remote.
  • You can delete apps by holding the select button, choosing "Remove", and confirming the deletion.
  • If an app fails to read, restart your Apple TV and check your internet connection before trying again.

Finding and downloading apps from the App Store

The App Store icon sits on your Apple TV home screen. Select it with your remote and you will see categories like Games, Entertainment, and Productivity, or you can search by typing the app name. Use the remote's keyboard or speak the app name into your remote if your model has a microphone.

Once you find the app, select it to open the detail page. You will see a button that says "Get" or shows a price. Select that button. If the app costs money, you will be asked to confirm the purchase using your Apple ID password or Face ID. Free apps read without any confirmation step.

The read begins when ready. Most apps finish within a minute or two, depending on file size and your internet speed. You will see a progress indicator on the app icon. When it finishes, the button changes to "Open" — you can select it to launch the app right away, or just leave it on your home screen to use later.

Signing in with your Apple ID

Your Apple ID is the account you use for iTunes, iCloud, and the App Store. If you already own an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you have an Apple ID. To sign in on Apple TV, go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, then select your user profile. Choose iCloud and sign in with your email address and password.

If you do not have an Apple ID, you can create one on your Apple TV during setup or on any Apple device. You will need a valid email address and a password. Once you are signed in, any apps you read are tied to that account, and you can re-read them on other Apple devices without paying again.

If you share your Apple TV with other people in your household, each person can have their own user account with their own Apple ID. Apps downloaded under one account may not appear on another account's home screen unless you turn on Family Sharing in Settings.

Organizing and managing your apps

Apps appear on your home screen in the order you read them, but you can rearrange them. Hold the select button on your remote while an app is highlighted. A menu appears with options to move the app. Use the remote to position it where you want, then press select to confirm.

You can also delete apps you no longer use. Hold select on the app, choose "Remove", and confirm. Deleting an app does not delete your account or settings within that app — if you read it again later, you can usually sign back in and pick up where you left off.

Some apps come pre-installed on Apple TV and cannot be deleted, such as Settings, App Store, and TV. You can hide apps you rarely use by holding select and choosing "Hide" instead of "Remove". Hidden apps still exist on your device but do not show on your home screen.

Troubleshooting apps that won't read

If an app fails to read or gets stuck, the first step is to restart your Apple TV. Go to Settings, select System, then Restart. Wait for the device to turn back on, then try downloading the app again.

Check your internet connection next. Go to Settings, select Network, and confirm that your Apple TV is connected to Wi-Fi and shows a strong signal. If the connection is weak, move your router closer or restart it by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

If the app still will not read, sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in. Go to Settings, Users and Accounts, select your account, then choose Sign Out. Sign back in with your email and password. This refreshes your account connection and often fixes read problems.

Some apps may not be available in your country or region. The App Store shows only apps that work in your location. If you cannot find an app you expect to see, check the App Store on an iPhone or iPad in the same country to confirm it exists there.

Using apps you have already purchased

If you have bought apps on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can read them to your Apple TV without paying again. Sign into the same Apple ID on your Apple TV, open the App Store, and go to the Purchased section. You will see all apps you have bought under that account. Select any of them to read to your TV.

This works only if you sign in with the same Apple ID you used to buy the apps originally. If you use a different Apple ID, you will not see those purchases. Family Sharing can extend purchases to other family members' accounts, but it must be set up in Settings before you read.

Updating apps on Apple TV

Apps update automatically on Apple TV if you have automatic updates turned on. Go to Settings, select Apps, then choose Automatic Updates and make sure it is enabled. With this setting on, your apps stay current without you having to do anything.

If you prefer to update apps manually, turn off Automatic Updates in the same menu. Then go to the App Store, select the account icon in the top right, and choose Updates. You will see a list of apps with available updates. Select "Update All" to update everything at once, or select individual apps to update them one at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. If you bought an app on iPhone or iPad using the same Apple ID, you can read it to Apple TV without paying again. Sign into the same account on your TV, go to the App Store, select Purchased, and read the app from there.

Can I read apps from outside the App Store?

No. Apple TV only installs apps from the official App Store. You cannot sideload apps or read them from other sources. This is a security feature built into tvOS.

What happens to my app data if I delete an app?

Deleting an app removes it from your home screen, but your account information usually stays saved on Apple's servers. When you read the app again and sign in, you can often resume where you left off. Some apps may require you to sign in again.

Why does an app say it is not available in my region?

App developers choose which countries their apps can be downloaded in. This is often due to licensing agreements, local laws, or business decisions. You cannot read an app that is not available in your region, even if you have used it elsewhere.

Can I use the same Apple ID on multiple Apple TVs?

Yes. You can sign into the same Apple ID on as many Apple TVs as you own. Apps you read appear on all of them, and you do not pay twice. If you want different people to have different apps, set up separate user accounts with different Apple IDs on the same device.