The two ways to add apps to your Apple TV

You can install apps on Apple TV in two ways: directly on the device using the App Store, or remotely from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The direct method on your Apple TV is usually faster if you are sitting in front of the screen. The remote method works if you want to install something without picking up the remote, or if you are away from home and want an app ready before you arrive.

Both methods require the same thing: an Apple ID and a Wi-Fi connection. Your Apple TV must be signed into an Apple ID to read anything from the App Store. If you have never set up your Apple TV, you will create or sign into an Apple ID during the initial setup process.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the App Store directly on your Apple TV and search for the app you want, then select it and press the select button to install.
  • You can also install apps remotely from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac by opening the App Store on that device, finding the app, and tapping the cloud icon to send it to your Apple TV.
  • Your Apple TV must be signed into an Apple ID and connected to Wi-Fi before you can read any apps.
  • Apps install in the background; you do not need to keep the App Store open or stay on that screen while the read happens.
  • Installed apps appear on your Apple TV home screen, and you can organize them by moving them around or creating folders.

Installing apps directly on your Apple TV using the App Store

Press the Apple TV remote's home button to go to the home screen. Scroll to the App Store icon (it looks like a white square with a blue background) and press the select button in the center of the remote's touch pad. The App Store opens.

Use the search function to find the app you want. Press the menu button on the remote, then select "Search" from the menu that appears. Type the app name using the on-screen keyboard. Scroll through the results until you find the app, then press select to open its page.

On the app's page, you will see a button that says "Get" or shows a price. Press select on that button. If the app costs money, you will be asked to confirm the purchase using your Apple ID password or Face ID. If the app is free, it will begin downloading when ready. A progress bar shows the read status. Once the read finishes, the button changes to "Open," and the app is installed on your Apple TV.

Installing apps remotely from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac

Open the App Store on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Search for the app you want to install on your Apple TV. When you find it, look for the cloud icon with a downward arrow. Tap or click that icon.

A menu appears asking which device you want to send the app to. Select your Apple TV from the list. The app will read and install on your Apple TV in the background, even if your Apple TV is asleep. You do not need to do anything else; the installation happens automatically.

This method is useful if you are at work or away from home and want to set up apps before you use your Apple TV. It also works if you prefer not to navigate the on-screen keyboard on your TV.

What to do if an app will not install

Check that your Apple TV is connected to Wi-Fi and that the connection is stable. A weak or intermittent connection can cause downloads to fail or pause. Go to Settings on your Apple TV, select Network, and confirm that you are connected to your Wi-Fi network.

Verify that you are signed into an Apple ID. Go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, and check that an Apple ID is listed. If no Apple ID is shown, select "Add User" and sign in with your Apple ID credentials.

If the app still will not install, try restarting your Apple TV. Hold down the menu button and the home button on the remote for about six seconds until the light on the Apple TV flashes. Wait a few seconds for it to restart, then try installing the app again.

If you are trying to install a paid app and the purchase keeps failing, check that your payment method is valid in the Apple ID settings on your iPhone or Mac. Go to Settings, tap your name, select "Payment & Shipping," and update any expired cards or billing information.

Managing and organizing installed apps

Once an app is installed, it appears on your Apple TV home screen. You can move apps around by pressing and holding the select button on an app until it starts to jiggle, then using the remote to drag it to a new position. Press select again to drop it in place.

To delete an app, press and hold select on the app until it jiggles, then press the menu button and select "Remove." The app is deleted from your Apple TV, but you can reinstall it anytime from the App Store without paying again if it was a paid app.

You can create folders to organize apps by category. Press and hold select on an app, then drag it on top of another app. A folder is created automatically. Name the folder using the on-screen keyboard, then press select to confirm.

Understanding storage and app limits on Apple TV

Apple TV models come with different storage capacities: 32 GB or 64 GB. The operating system takes up space, so the actual space available for apps is less than the total. Most apps are small, but some streaming apps and games can be 500 MB to 2 GB each.

If your Apple TV runs out of storage, you will see a message when you try to install a new app. Delete apps you no longer use to free up space. You can check how much storage is available by going to Settings, selecting AirPlay and HomeKit, then selecting About. The storage information is listed there.

There is no hard limit on the number of apps you can install, but storage space is the practical limit. Most people find that 50 to 100 apps fit comfortably on a 64 GB Apple TV.

Updating apps on your Apple TV

Apps update automatically by default. Your Apple TV checks for updates overnight when it is connected to power and Wi-Fi. You do not need to do anything; updates happen in the background.

If you want to check for updates manually, open the App Store, press the menu button, and select "Updates." A list shows any apps with available updates. Select an app and press select to update it when ready.

You can turn off automatic updates if you prefer to update apps manually. Go to Settings, select Apps, then select "Automatic Updates" and toggle it off. After that, you will need to update apps yourself using the method described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. You must sign into an Apple ID on your Apple TV before you can read anything 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 a password. Then sign into that Apple ID on your Apple TV during setup or in Settings.

Do I need to pay for apps on Apple TV?

Most popular apps like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube are free to read. Some apps cost money upfront, and others are free but require a subscription to the service itself (like Apple TV+). The App Store shows the price before you read, so you always know what you are paying.

What happens if I delete an app and then want it back?

You can reinstall it anytime from the App Store at no cost, even if it was a paid app originally. Your purchase is tied to your Apple ID, not to the device. Just search for the app in the App Store and read it again.

Can I install apps on Apple TV from a computer?

Yes. Open the App Store on your Mac, find the app you want, and click the cloud icon to send it to your Apple TV. You cannot install apps directly from a Windows computer, but you can use an iPhone or iPad instead.

Why is my app read stuck or moving very slowly?

Check your Wi-Fi connection. Move your Apple TV closer to your router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If other devices on your network are using a lot of bandwidth, the read will be slower. You can also try restarting your Apple TV by holding menu and home for six seconds.