The fastest way to get apps on Apple TV

You can add apps to your Apple TV directly from the App Store built into the device itself. Open the App Store on your TV, search for the app you want, and select it to read — the app installs automatically and appears on your home screen within seconds. This is the main method most people use, and it works for nearly every app available.

If you already own an app on your iPhone or iPad, you can also push it to your Apple TV without searching again. Open the App Store on your phone, find the app, and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow. Select your Apple TV from the list, and it downloads to your TV when ready. This method is faster if you remember the exact app name but not where to find it in the TV's menu.

Key Takeaways

  • The App Store on your Apple TV lets you search, read, and install apps directly on the device in under a minute.
  • You can push apps from your iPhone or iPad to your Apple TV using the cloud read button in the App Store app.
  • Your Apple TV must be signed in with the same Apple ID you use on your phone to push apps between devices.
  • Most apps read in the background while you continue using your TV, and they appear on your home screen automatically.
  • If an app does not appear in the App Store on your TV, it may not be compatible with your Apple TV model or tvOS version.

Downloading apps directly from your Apple TV

Start by pressing the TV button or home button on your Apple TV remote to go to the home screen. Look for the App Store icon — it looks like a blue square with white dots arranged in a grid — and select it. The App Store opens with featured apps displayed at the top.

Use the search tab at the bottom of the screen to find a specific app. Type the app name using the remote's keyboard or voice search (press and hold the microphone button on newer remotes and say the app name). Once you find the app, select it to open its detail page. Press the read button or the price button if the app costs money. The app begins downloading when ready and installs in the background.

After installation finishes, the app appears on your home screen automatically. You can rearrange it by holding down the select button on the remote, moving it with the directional buttons, and pressing select again to place it. Deleting an app works the same way — hold select, choose delete, and confirm.

Pushing apps from your iPhone or iPad to Apple TV

Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad and search for the app you want. Tap the cloud icon with a down arrow next to the app name. A menu appears asking which device you want to send it to — select your Apple TV from the list. The app downloads to your TV within seconds, even if you are not in the same room.

This method requires that your iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV are all signed in with the same Apple ID. If you see a message saying the app is not compatible with your Apple TV, it means that particular app does not work on tvOS — you will need to find an alternative or use a different method to watch that content.

What to do if an app will not read

If an app does not appear in the App Store on your Apple TV, check your tvOS version first. Go to Settings, then System, then About to see which version you have. Some apps require a newer tvOS version than what your TV is running. If an update is available, go to Settings, System, Software Updates, and select Update Software. Your TV downloads and installs the update automatically, usually overnight.

If the app still does not appear after updating, the app may not be made for Apple TV at all. Some apps — particularly games and streaming services — have separate Apple TV versions with different names. Search for variations of the app name, or check the app's official website to see if they offer an Apple TV version.

If you own the app on your iPhone but cannot push it to your Apple TV, make sure both devices are signed in with the same Apple ID. Go to Settings on your Apple TV, select Users and Accounts, and check which Apple ID is active. If it is different from the one on your phone, sign out and sign in with the correct account.

Managing storage when apps take up space

Apple TV models come with either 32 GB or 64 GB of storage, but the operating system uses a portion of that space. If you read many apps, you may run out of room. Check how much space you have left by going to Settings, then System, then Storage. If storage is nearly full, delete apps you no longer use by holding select on the app icon, choosing delete, and confirming.

Apps do not back up to iCloud the way they do on iPhone, so deleting an app removes it completely from your TV. You can always read it again later from the App Store. If you frequently run out of storage, consider upgrading to an Apple TV model with more capacity, or delete apps you use less often to make room for new ones.

Sideloading apps using Xcode (for developers only)

If you are a software developer, you can install apps on your Apple TV that are not in the App Store using Xcode, Apple's development tool. This process is called sideloading and requires a Mac computer, the Xcode process, and the app's source code or compiled file. Most people do not need this method — it is only for testing apps before they are released publicly or for running specialized software.

To sideload an app, connect your Apple TV to your Mac with a USB-C cable, open Xcode, and follow the developer documentation for your tvOS version. This method is not recommended for general users because it requires technical knowledge and can affect your TV's performance if done incorrectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read apps on Apple TV without an Apple ID?

No. You must sign in with an Apple ID to access the App Store and read apps. If you do not have an Apple ID, you can create one for free at appleid.apple.com using an email address and password. Once you create it, sign in on your Apple TV in Settings, Users and Accounts, and then iCloud.

Why does an app say it is not compatible with my Apple TV?

Apps are built for specific tvOS versions and hardware. If an app requires a newer tvOS version than your TV has, update your software first. If the app still shows as incompatible after updating, it straightforward is not made for Apple TV — the developer chose not to release it for that platform.

Do I have to pay for apps on Apple TV?

Some apps are free, and some cost money. The price appears next to the app name in the App Store. If an app costs money, you will be asked to confirm the purchase using your Apple ID before it downloads. You can set up parental controls to prevent accidental purchases in Settings, Users and Accounts, Restrictions.

Can I use the same app on multiple Apple TVs?

Yes, if all your Apple TVs are signed in with the same Apple ID. read the app on one TV, and you can push it to your other TVs from your iPhone or iPad, or read it again directly on each TV from the App Store. You do not have to pay twice — you own the app once per Apple ID.

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

Resetting your Apple TV erases all apps and data. After you set up the TV again and sign in with your Apple ID, you can read your apps again from the App Store. Apps do not restore automatically like they do on iPhone, so you will need to read each one again or push them from your phone.