The fastest way to get an app on Apple TV
You can read apps directly on your Apple TV using the App Store built into the device, or you can start the read from your iPhone or iPad and have it install automatically. The on-device method is usually faster: open the App Store on your Apple TV, search for the app you want, and select it to read. Most apps install in under a minute.
If you already own an app on your iPhone or iPad, you can also use your Apple ID to read it to Apple TV without paying again — Apple treats purchases across devices as a single license for most apps. The app will appear in your Apple TV's App Store with a cloud icon instead of a price, and you tap to install it.
Key Takeaways
- Open the App Store on your Apple TV, search for an app by name, and select it to read and install directly to the device.
- Apps you have already bought on iPhone or iPad will show with a cloud icon in the Apple TV App Store and can be installed for free using the same Apple ID.
- You control which apps appear on your home screen by moving, organizing, or deleting them after installation.
- Some apps require a subscription or account login after installation, but the app itself downloads and installs without payment.
Downloading apps directly from the Apple TV App Store
Start on your Apple TV home screen. Press the Menu button on your remote to highlight the App Store icon, or swipe down and look for it in your dock. Open the App Store.
Use the search function (usually at the top of the screen) to find the app you want. Type the app name using your remote — you can use the on-screen keyboard or, on newer remotes, speak the name aloud by holding the microphone button. Once you see the app in the results, select it.
On the app's detail page, you will see a button showing either a price, "Get," or a cloud icon. If it shows a price and you have not bought it before, select the button to purchase. If it shows "Get" or a cloud icon, select it to read. The app will begin installing when ready, and you will see a progress indicator. Most apps finish in under a minute.
Once installation is complete, the button will change to "Open." You can select it to launch the app right away, or leave the app store and find it on your home screen.
Installing apps you already own from other Apple devices
If you have bought an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can install it on Apple TV using the same Apple ID without paying again. Open the App Store on your Apple TV and search for the app by name.
When the app appears in the search results, look at the button next to it. If you own the app, it will show a cloud icon with a downward arrow instead of a price. Select this button to read and install the app to your Apple TV. The installation works the same way as a new read — you will see a progress bar, and the app will be ready to use within a minute.
This feature works for most apps, but not all developers allow their apps to be shared across devices. If an app you own on iPhone does not show the cloud icon on Apple TV, the developer has restricted it to iPhone and iPad only, and you cannot install it on Apple TV.
Organizing and managing apps on your home screen
After you read an app, it appears on your Apple TV home screen. You can rearrange, group, or delete apps to keep your screen organized the way you want it.
To move an app, highlight it on the home screen and hold down the select button on your remote until the app begins to jiggle. Use the remote to move it to a new position, then press select again to place it. To delete an app, highlight it, hold select until it jiggles, then press the Menu button and choose "Remove from Home Screen" or "Delete App" (depending on your tvOS version). Deleting from the home screen keeps the app in your library; deleting the app itself removes it from Apple TV entirely.
You can also create folders to group similar apps together. Highlight an app, hold select until it jiggles, then drag it onto another app to create a folder. Name the folder, and you can add more apps to it the same way.
What to do if an app will not read or install
If an app stalls during read or fails to install, the most common fix is to restart your Apple TV. Unplug the device from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully boot. Try downloading the app again.
If the app still will not read, check that you are signed in to the App Store with the correct Apple ID. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts, select your account, and verify that you are signed in. If you are not, sign in with the Apple ID you use to buy apps.
Make sure your Apple TV has enough free storage space. Go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > AirPlay Receiver to see how much storage is available. If you are running very low on space, delete apps you no longer use to free up room.
If the app still will not read after restarting and checking your account, try removing the app from your library entirely and downloading it again. Go to Settings > Apps, find the app, and select "Delete." Then open the App Store and read it fresh.
Apps that require login or subscription after installation
Many streaming apps — Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and others — read and install for free, but you need to sign in with your account or subscription after installation. The app itself costs nothing to read; the subscription is separate and handled through the app.
When you open the app for the first time, you will usually see a sign-in screen. Enter your username and password, or follow the app's instructions to create an account. Some apps let you sign in using your Apple ID or another service like Google or Facebook, which can be faster.
A few apps require a paid subscription before you can use them at all. These will show a price in the App Store instead of "Get," and you will be charged when you read. Read the app's description in the App Store to see whether it is free to read or requires payment.
Updating apps on your Apple TV
Apple TV updates apps automatically by default, so you usually do not need to do anything. If you want to check for updates manually or change your update settings, go to Settings > Apps > App Updates. You can turn automatic updates on or off, or check for updates right away.
If an app is out of date and you have automatic updates turned off, the App Store will show a notification badge on the App Store icon. Open the App Store, go to the Updates tab, and select the app to update it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read apps on my iPhone and have them appear on my Apple TV automatically?
Not automatically, but you can start the read from your iPhone and it will install on your Apple TV. Open the App Store on your iPhone, find the app, and look for a button showing multiple devices or an arrow pointing to Apple TV. Select it to choose Apple TV as the installation destination, and the app will read to your TV.
What if an app I want is not in the Apple TV App Store?
Not all apps are available for Apple TV — some developers only make versions for iPhone and iPad. Check the app's description in the iPhone App Store to see which devices it supports. If it does not list Apple TV, the developer has not made a TV version available.
Do I have to pay for apps twice if I own them on my iPhone?
No. If you bought an app on iPhone or iPad with the same Apple ID, it will show a cloud icon in the Apple TV App Store instead of a price, and you can read it for free. A few apps are sold separately for different devices, but most are a single purchase across all your Apple devices.
Can I use a family member's Apple ID to read apps on my Apple TV?
Yes, if you set up Family Sharing. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > iCloud, select your account, and set up Family Sharing. Family members can then read apps purchased by anyone in the family group without needing separate payment.
Why does my Apple TV say an app is not compatible with my device?
Some apps require a newer version of tvOS than your Apple TV is running. Check Settings > System > About to see your tvOS version. Go to Settings > System > Software Updates to see if an update is available. If your Apple TV is too old, the developer may not support it anymore, and you will not be able to read that app.