The simplest way to add an app

Open the app store built into your Samsung TV by pressing the Home button on your remote, then look for an icon labeled Apps or Samsung TV Plus. Search for the app you want — Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, or whatever else — and select it. The TV will read and install it automatically, usually in under a minute. Once it finishes, the app appears on your home screen and you can open it when ready.

That's the whole process for most people. Samsung TVs come with the app store already set up and ready to use. You don't need to connect anything extra or sign into a separate account just to browse and install apps — though you will need to sign into the app itself (like your Netflix account) once it's installed.

The only time this gets complicated is if your TV is very old, if you're trying to install something that's not in the official store, or if something goes wrong during the read. Those situations are covered below.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Home on your remote, find the Apps section, search for what you want, and select it to install — the TV handles the rest automatically.
  • Most apps install in under a minute and appear on your home screen ready to use, though you'll need to sign into each app with your own account.
  • If an app won't install, restart your TV and check that it's connected to the internet, because most problems come from connection issues rather than the TV itself.
  • Samsung TVs from 2016 onward have the app store built in, but very old models may not support the apps you want.
  • You can delete an app by pressing and holding it on the home screen, then selecting Remove or Delete from the menu that appears.

Finding the app store on your Samsung remote

The Home button is usually in the center of your Samsung remote, sometimes marked with a house icon. Press it once and your TV will show the home screen with rows of apps and content. Look for a section labeled Apps, App Store, Samsung TV Plus, or sometimes just a grid icon. The exact name depends on your TV model and how old it is, but it's always one of these.

If you don't see an Apps section on the first screen, scroll down or to the right using the arrow buttons on your remote. Samsung puts the app store somewhere obvious on every TV, so you won't need to dig through menus. Once you find it, select it and you're in the store.

If your remote is lost or broken, you can also use the Samsung SmartThings app on your phone to control the TV and navigate to the app store that way. read SmartThings from your phone's app store, add your TV to it, and you can use your phone as a remote.

Searching for and installing an app

Once you're in the app store, look for a search icon — usually a magnifying glass at the top of the screen. Select it and type the name of the app you want using the on-screen keyboard. As you type, the store will show matching results below. Select the app you want from the list.

The app's page will open and show a button that says Install, read, or Get. Select that button and the TV will start downloading the app. You'll see a progress bar or a spinning circle while it installs. Most apps finish in 30 seconds to a minute, depending on the app size and your internet speed.

When the installation finishes, the button will change to Open or Launch. You can select it to start the app right away, or just go back to your home screen and the app will be there in a new row or section. You don't need to do anything else — the TV handles all the technical work.

What to do if an app won't install

The most common reason an app won't install is that your TV isn't connected to the internet, or the connection is too slow. Check that your TV is connected to WiFi by going to Settings, then Network or WiFi, and confirming it shows Connected. If it doesn't, select your WiFi network, enter your password, and wait for it to connect.

If your TV is connected but the app still won't install, restart the TV completely. Press the power button on your remote to turn it off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. Once it finishes starting up, go back to the app store and try installing again. This fixes most read problems because it clears out temporary files that sometimes get in the way.

If the app still won't install after a restart, the app may not be available in your region or for your TV model. Some apps only work on newer Samsung TVs, and some are only available in certain countries. Try searching for an alternative app that does the same thing — for example, if one streaming service won't install, another usually will.

Signing into an app after you install it

Once an app is installed and you open it, you'll usually see a sign-in screen asking for your account information. This is separate from your Samsung account — you're signing into Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, or whatever the app is. Enter your username and password for that service, and the app will remember you so you don't have to sign in again.

Some apps let you sign in using your phone instead of typing on the TV remote. Look for a button that says "Sign in with phone" or "Use mobile device" and follow the instructions. This is usually faster and easier than typing with the remote.

If you don't have an account with the app yet, you can create one right from the TV. Select the option to sign up or create an account, and the app will walk you through it. You'll need a valid email address and a payment method if the app charges a subscription fee.

Managing apps on your home screen

Once you have apps installed, they appear on your home screen in rows. If you want to rearrange them, press and hold an app with your remote until a menu appears. You should see options to Move, Remove, or Delete. Select Move and use the arrow buttons to drag the app to a new position, then press Select or OK to place it.

If you want to delete an app you no longer use, press and hold it and select Remove or Delete. The app will disappear from your home screen, but you can always reinstall it later from the app store — nothing is permanent. Deleting an app doesn't erase your account or saved data in that app, so you can sign back in and pick up where you left off.

Samsung TVs also let you create folders to organize apps. Press and hold one app, drag it onto another app, and the TV will create a folder containing both. You can add more apps to the folder the same way. This keeps your home screen cleaner if you have many apps installed.

Apps that may not work on older Samsung TVs

Samsung TVs from 2016 onward have a full app store and support most modern apps. If your TV is older than that, it may not have an app store at all, or the store may have very few apps available. You can check your TV model by going to Settings, then About This TV or System Information, and looking for the year or model number.

If your TV is too old to support an app you want, you have a few options. You can buy a streaming device like a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Apple TV and plug it into your TV's HDMI port — these devices have their own app stores and work with any TV. You can also use your phone to cast or screen-mirror to your TV if the app supports it, though this drains your phone's battery and requires you to keep your phone in your hand.

The cheapest option is usually a basic streaming device, which costs between $25 and $50 and gives you access to thousands of apps without needing to replace your TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Samsung account to install apps?

No. You need to be connected to the internet, but you don't need to create or sign into a Samsung account just to browse and install apps from the store. You will need to sign into the individual app itself — like your Netflix or YouTube account — once it's installed.

Can I install apps that aren't in the Samsung app store?

Not easily. Samsung TVs don't allow you to install apps from outside the official store for security reasons. If an app you want isn't available in the store, it's probably not compatible with your TV. A streaming device plugged into your TV's HDMI port is the best way to access apps that Samsung doesn't support.

Why does my app keep crashing after I install it?

Restart your TV first — turn it off completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. If the app still crashes, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. If it crashes every time, the app may not be fully compatible with your specific TV model, and you may need to use a different app or a streaming device instead.

How much storage do apps take up on my TV?

Most apps use between 50 megabytes and 500 megabytes of space. Samsung TVs have enough built-in storage for dozens of apps, so you won't run out of space unless you install 100 or more. If your TV starts running slowly, uninstalling apps you don't use usually helps.

Can I move an app to an external USB drive to save space?

No. Samsung TVs don't support moving apps to external storage. If you need more space, uninstall apps you're not using. You can always reinstall them later from the app store in seconds.