The App Store is built into your Apple TV home screen — look for the icon that looks like a blue square with white dots
The App Store on Apple TV is not a separate app you read. It is a built-in feature of tvOS, the operating system that runs your Apple TV. When you turn on your device and reach the home screen, you will see a grid of app icons. One of them is labeled "App Store" — it has a blue background with a pattern of white dots arranged like a grid. That icon takes you directly to the store where you can browse and install apps.
The location of the App Store icon can shift depending on how you have arranged your home screen. If you have moved apps around, it might not be in the same spot as it was when you first set up your device. You can always search for it by pressing the search button on your remote (usually the magnifying glass icon at the top) and typing "App Store" to jump straight to it.
Key Takeaways
- The App Store icon appears on your Apple TV home screen as a blue square with white dots and does not need to be downloaded.
- You can find it by scrolling through your home screen or by using the search function on your remote.
- Once inside the App Store, you can browse by category, search for specific apps, or view what is trending and recommended.
- Installing an app from the App Store requires only a few clicks on your remote and uses your Apple ID to track purchases and downloads.
How to navigate the App Store once you open it
When you open the App Store, you will see several sections at the top: "Discover," "Apps," "Games," and "Search." The Discover section shows featured apps and recommendations based on what is popular and what Apple thinks you might like. The Apps section lets you browse by category — things like Entertainment, Sports, News, Productivity, and Utilities. Games is a separate section because Apple TV treats games differently from other apps.
Use the remote to highlight and select items. The Siri Remote (the newer, smaller one) or the older aluminum remote both work the same way: move the cursor to highlight something, then press the center button to select it. If you know the name of an app you want, the Search section is the fastest route — just type the name and the store will show you results.
What happens when you select an app to install
When you find an app and select it, you will see a detail page with the app's name, a description, screenshots, and a button that says "Get" or shows a price. If the app is free, the button says "Get." If it costs money, the button shows the price in your local currency. Select the button, and the system will ask you to confirm using your Apple ID password or Face ID or Touch ID if your Apple TV supports it.
After you confirm, the app begins downloading and installing. You will see a progress indicator showing how far along the installation is. Once it finishes, the button changes to "Open," which lets you launch the app right away. The app also appears on your home screen in a new row at the top, so you can find it easily next time.
Finding apps by category instead of searching
If you do not know exactly what app you want but you know what kind of thing you are looking for, browsing by category is useful. Open the App Store, go to the Apps section, and you will see categories listed: Entertainment, Sports, News, Lifestyle, Productivity, Utilities, and others. Select a category and you will see apps grouped by popularity, with the most-downloaded or highest-rated ones at the top.
Each category also has a "See All" option that shows you every app in that category, sorted different ways — by popularity, by rating, or by newest. This is a good way to discover apps you might not have thought to search for, especially if you are new to Apple TV and are not sure what is available.
Understanding free versus paid apps
Most apps in the Apple TV App Store are free. When an app is free, you can install it without entering payment information — you just need your Apple ID to sign in. Some apps are paid, meaning you buy them once and own them forever on that Apple TV. A few apps use a subscription model, where you pay a monthly or yearly fee to keep using them.
When you select a paid app, the button shows the price. Select it, confirm with your Apple ID password or biometric authentication, and the purchase goes through using the payment method on file with your Apple ID. If you have never bought anything on Apple TV before, you may need to add a credit card or other payment method to your Apple ID account first — you can do this through the Settings app on your Apple TV or through your Apple ID account on a computer or phone.
Troubleshooting if you cannot find the App Store icon
If the App Store icon is not visible on your home screen, it may have been moved or hidden. The fastest way to find it is to use the search function. Press the search button on your remote (the magnifying glass), type "App Store," and select it from the results. This will open the App Store and also pin it back to your home screen if it was missing.
If search is not working or you cannot find the search button, restart your Apple TV. Hold down the Menu button on your remote for about six seconds until the light on the front of the device flashes. Wait a few seconds for the device to restart, then look for the App Store icon again. If you have recently reset your Apple TV to factory settings, the App Store should be there by default — if it is not, contact Apple Support for help restoring it.
Managing storage when you install multiple apps
Apple TV devices have limited storage space — typically 32 GB or 64 GB depending on the model. Apps take up space, and if you install too many, you may run out of room. You can check how much storage you have left by going to Settings, then About, and looking at the Available Storage line. If you are running low, you can delete apps you no longer use to free up space.
To delete an app, go to your home screen, highlight the app icon, press and hold the center button on your remote until a menu appears, then select "Remove" or "Delete." The app will be removed, but you can always reinstall it later from the App Store without paying again if it was a paid app — your purchase is tied to your Apple ID, not to the device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Apple ID to use the App Store on Apple TV?
Yes. You need to be signed into an Apple ID on your Apple TV to browse and install apps from the App Store. You set this up when you first configure your device. If you do not have an Apple ID, you can create one for free on Apple's website or through the Settings app on your Apple TV.
Can I install the same app on multiple Apple TVs with one Apple ID?
Yes. Apps you purchase are tied to your Apple ID, not to a single device. You can sign into the same Apple ID on multiple Apple TVs and install the same paid apps on all of them without paying again. This is called Family Sharing, and you can also set it up to let other family members use apps you have purchased.
What if an app I want is not showing up in the App Store?
Some apps are not available in all regions or on all Apple TV models. Older Apple TV devices (4th generation and earlier) have a different app store with fewer apps available. If an app does not appear when you search for it, it may not be compatible with your device or may not be available in your country. Check the app's page on Apple's website to confirm compatibility.
Can I update apps from the App Store?
Yes. Apps update automatically by default on Apple TV, but you can also check for updates manually. Go to the App Store, select your profile icon in the top-right corner, and look for "Available Updates." Select any app listed there to update it. You can also turn off automatic updates in Settings if you prefer to update apps manually.