The basic steps to add an app to your Samsung TV home screen

Adding an app to your Samsung TV home screen takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you're using a Samsung Smart TV from 2020 or a newer model. You navigate to the app you want, select it, and choose "Add to Home" from the menu. The app then appears as a tile on your home screen alongside your other apps and services.

The exact menu names vary slightly depending on your TV's software version, but the process is consistent: find the app, open its options menu, and pin it to the home screen. Once it's there, you can rearrange the tiles by moving them around or remove them if you change your mind.

Key Takeaways

  • You add apps to your Samsung TV home screen through the Apps section, not by downloading anything new — the apps are already built into your TV.
  • Most Samsung TVs let you rearrange home screen tiles by selecting an app, pressing and holding the remote button, and dragging it to a new position.
  • If an app doesn't appear in your Apps menu, your TV model may not support it, or you may need to update your TV's software first.
  • Removing an app from your home screen does not delete it from your TV — it just hides the tile, and you can add it back anytime from the Apps menu.

Finding the Apps section on your Samsung TV

On your Samsung TV remote, press the Home button (usually marked with a house icon). This takes you to your home screen. Look for an Apps icon or Apps tile — on most Samsung TVs made in the last five years, it's a grid of small squares, often in the bottom row or top corner of the screen.

Select the Apps icon and press Enter. You'll see a menu of all available apps your TV can run. This includes streaming services like Netflix and YouTube, but also less common apps depending on your TV model and software version. Scroll through the list to find the app you want to add to your home screen.

Adding the app to your home screen

Once you've found the app in the Apps menu, highlight it with your remote and press the down arrow or right arrow button (depending on your remote layout). A small menu should appear with options like "Add to Home," "Remove," or "View Details." Select "Add to Home" and press Enter.

The app tile will now appear on your home screen. On some Samsung TV models, it shows up at the end of your existing tiles. On others, it may appear in a default position that you can then move. If you don't see the app appear when ready, press Home on your remote to return to the home screen and look for the new tile.

Rearranging app tiles on your home screen

To move an app tile to a different position, highlight it on your home screen and press and hold the center button (or the button marked "OK" or "Select") on your remote for about two seconds. The tile will enter edit mode, usually shown by a highlight or border around it.

While in edit mode, use the arrow buttons on your remote to move the tile left, right, up, or down to your preferred location. Press the center button again to lock it in place. You can rearrange as many tiles as you want in a single session — just highlight the next one and repeat the process.

Removing an app tile from your home screen

If you want to remove an app tile from your home screen, highlight it and press the down arrow or right arrow to open the menu. Select "Remove from Home" or "Delete" (the exact wording depends on your TV model) and press Enter. The tile disappears from your home screen when ready.

Removing a tile does not delete the app from your TV. You can always add it back by going to the Apps menu, finding it again, and selecting "Add to Home." This is useful if you want to keep your home screen clean but don't want to lose access to apps you use occasionally.

What to do if an app doesn't appear in your Apps menu

If you're looking for a specific app and it's not in your Apps menu, your TV model may not support it. Samsung TVs have different app libraries depending on the year they were made and the region you're in. Older models may not have access to newer apps, and some apps are only available in certain countries.

Check your TV's software version by going to Settings (usually accessed from the Home menu), then Support, then About This TV. Write down the software version number. You can then search online for your specific TV model and software version to see which apps are available. If your software is outdated, you may be able to update it through Settings > Support > Software Update, which sometimes adds access to new apps.

Organizing your home screen for straightforward access

Most people arrange their home screen by putting the apps they use most often on the left side or in the top row, where they're easiest to reach. You might put Netflix, YouTube, and your cable provider's app at the front, then group less-used apps like weather or news services toward the right or bottom.

Samsung TVs usually let you have multiple rows of apps on your home screen, so you can create informal categories if you want — streaming services in one area, news and information apps in another. There's no limit to how many apps you can add to your home screen, but keeping it to 10 to 15 tiles makes it easier to find what you want without scrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read new apps to my Samsung TV?

Most Samsung TVs come with a set of built-in apps that you can add to your home screen, but you cannot read new apps the way you would on a phone. Some newer Samsung TV models have an app store where you can browse and install additional apps, but this varies by model and region. Check your TV's Apps menu to see if there's an option to browse or search for new apps.

Why does my app tile keep disappearing from the home screen?

If a tile vanishes after you add it, your TV may have automatically reorganized your home screen, or a software update may have reset it. Try adding the app again. If it keeps disappearing, the app may have a bug on your specific TV model. Restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and try again.

Can I add the same app to my home screen more than once?

No, Samsung TVs do not allow duplicate app tiles on the home screen. Each app can appear only once. If you need quick access to different features within an app, you'll have to open the app and navigate to what you need.

What happens if I update my TV's software?

Software updates sometimes reset your home screen to default settings, which means your custom arrangement of app tiles may be lost. Before updating, take a photo of your home screen so you remember which apps you had pinned and where they were. After the update, you can rearrange them again.