How to Add Apps to Your Samsung TV

The simplest way to add apps to your Samsung TV

Most Samsung TVs come with an app store built into the remote and TV menu. You find it, search for the app you want, and install it directly to your TV — no computer or extra device needed. The process takes about two minutes per app and works the same way whether you own a 2020 model or a recent one.

The app store on Samsung TVs is called the Samsung App Store or Samsung Smart Hub, depending on your model year. Both work identically from the user's perspective. You navigate using your remote, select the app, and it downloads and installs automatically. Once installed, the app appears on your home screen and you can open it whenever you want.

Key Takeaways

Open the Samsung App Store from your TV remote by pressing the Home button, then navigate to Apps or the app store icon.
Search for the app by name, select it, and press Install — the app downloads directly to your TV without needing a computer.
Most popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and Disney+ are already pre-installed on Samsung TVs, so check your home screen first.
If an app is not available in the Samsung App Store, you can sideload it using a USB drive or connect a streaming device like a Roku or Fire Stick instead.
Your Samsung TV must be connected to the internet (WiFi or ethernet) for the app store to work and for apps to read.

Step-by-step: Installing an app from the Samsung App Store

Start by pressing the Home button on your Samsung remote. This takes you to the main home screen where you see all your apps and inputs. Look for an icon labeled Apps, App Store, or Samsung Apps — the exact name varies by model year, but it is always in the same general area of the home screen.

Select that icon and press Enter. The app store opens and shows you featured apps, categories, and a search bar at the top. Use the search bar to type the name of the app you want. For example, if you want to add Hulu, type "Hulu" and press Enter. The search results show matching apps — select the one you want and press Enter again.

A detail page appears showing the app name, a description, and an Install button. Press Enter on Install. The TV downloads and installs the app automatically, which usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes depending on app size and your internet speed. Once complete, a message appears saying the app is installed, and it now shows on your home screen.

Open the app by going back to your home screen, finding the new app icon, and pressing Enter. The first time you open most apps, you will need to sign in with your account — for Netflix, your Netflix username and password; for YouTube, your Google account; and so on. After you sign in once, the app remembers you and opens directly next time.

Apps that come pre-installed on Samsung TVs

Samsung TVs ship with several major apps already on them, so before you search the app store, check your home screen. Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and Spotify are almost always pre-installed on newer Samsung models. You do not need to install them — they are ready to use as soon as you sign in.

Scroll through your home screen to see what is already there. If you see an app you do not use, you can hide it or delete it to clean up your screen. Press and hold the app icon with your remote, and a menu appears with options to remove or hide it. Hiding keeps the app on your TV but removes it from view; deleting removes it entirely, though you can always reinstall it later from the app store.

What to do if an app is not in the Samsung App Store

Not every app available on phones or computers is available in the Samsung App Store. If you search for an app and it does not appear, you have two main options: sideload it using a USB drive, or use a separate streaming device.

Sideloading means downloading the app file to a USB drive on a computer, plugging the USB drive into your Samsung TV, and installing it manually. This is more technical and requires you to find the correct file format for Samsung TVs (usually an APK file). Most people find this frustrating and skip it unless the app is essential.

The easier route is to connect a separate streaming device. A Roku stick, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Google Chromecast plugs into your TV's HDMI port and gives you access to a different app store with different apps. For example, if an app is not on Samsung's store but is on Roku's store, you can use a Roku device instead. This also gives you a backup if your TV's app store ever has problems.

Troubleshooting: Apps that will not install or read slowly

If an app fails to install or gets stuck downloading, the most common cause is a weak internet connection. Check that your TV is connected to WiFi by going to Settings, then Network, and confirming the WiFi name and signal strength. If the signal is weak, move your router closer to the TV or restart both the router and the TV.

If the connection is strong but the app still will not install, restart your TV completely. Press the power button on the remote to turn it off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. This clears temporary files that sometimes block downloads. After the restart, try installing the app again.

If an app installs but then crashes or freezes when you open it, go to Settings, Apps, and find the app in the list. Select it and choose Clear Cache or Uninstall. Reinstall it fresh from the app store. This fixes most app problems because it removes any corrupted files from the first installation.

Some older Samsung TV models have limited storage space and cannot install many apps at once. If you get a message saying "Not enough storage," delete apps you no longer use to free up space. You can always reinstall them later.

Managing your apps and organizing your home screen

Once you have installed several apps, your home screen can get cluttered. Samsung TVs let you rearrange, hide, or delete apps to keep things organized. Press and hold any app icon with your remote to see options. You can move it to a different position, hide it from view, or delete it entirely.

Create folders to group similar apps together. For example, you might create a "Streaming" folder for Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, and a "Music" folder for Spotify and YouTube Music. Press and hold an app, select "Create Folder," name it, and drag other apps into it. This keeps your home screen clean and makes it faster to find what you want.

If you ever want to reset your home screen to the factory default, go to Settings, General, and look for Reset or Restore Defaults. This removes all your customizations and installed apps, returning the TV to how it looked when you first bought it. You would then need to reinstall any apps you want to keep.

Internet connection requirements for apps

Your Samsung TV must be connected to the internet to read and install apps, and most apps require an internet connection to work. Connect your TV to WiFi during the initial setup, or use an ethernet cable if your TV has an ethernet port and you have a wired connection available.

Check your connection speed if apps load slowly or buffer frequently. Go to Settings, Network, and select Connection Status. The speed shown should be at least 5 Mbps for smooth streaming on most apps. If it is lower, move your router closer, reduce interference from other devices, or contact your internet provider.

If your internet goes down, apps that require a connection will not work, but apps you have already installed will still be on your TV. Once your internet is back, they will work again when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install apps on my Samsung TV if it is an older model?

Most Samsung TVs from 2016 onward have the Samsung App Store and can install apps. Very old models (2015 and earlier) may not have this feature. Check your TV's model number in Settings, About This TV, and search online for your specific model to confirm whether it supports apps.

Do I need a Samsung account to install apps?

You do not need a Samsung account to browse or install apps from the Samsung App Store. However, you will need accounts for the individual apps themselves — a Netflix account for Netflix, a YouTube account for YouTube, and so on. Create these accounts on the app itself after installation.

What happens if I delete an app by accident?

You can reinstall it anytime by going back to the Samsung App Store, searching for it, and selecting Install again. Deleting an app from your TV does not affect your account or settings within that app — when you reinstall and sign back in, your preferences and watch history are still there.

Can I use the same app on my TV and my phone at the same time?

Yes. Most apps, like Netflix and YouTube, let you stream on multiple devices simultaneously, though some limit how many screens can play at once. Check the app's account settings to see how many simultaneous streams your plan allows.

Why does my app keep crashing after I install it?

App crashes usually mean the app needs an update or your TV is running low on storage. Go to Settings, Apps, find the app, and select Update if an update is available. If no update is available, delete the app, restart your TV, and reinstall it fresh from the app store.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.