The basic steps: find the app, read it, and open it

Most Samsung TVs come with an app store built in. You access it using your remote, search for the app you want, and install it directly to the TV — no computer or phone needed. The whole process takes a few minutes and works the same way whether you're downloading Netflix, YouTube, or a news app.

Samsung calls their app store the Samsung TV Plus or Samsung Apps depending on your TV's age and model. Newer Samsung TVs (2016 and later) use a system called Tizen, which is Samsung's own operating system. If your TV is older than that, the steps will be slightly different, but the idea is the same.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Samsung app store using your remote's home button, then navigate to the Apps section to find what you want to read.
  • Not every app works on every Samsung TV — the app store only shows you programs compatible with your specific model.
  • You need a Samsung account to read apps, but creating one is free and takes less than five minutes.
  • Downloaded apps stay on your TV until you delete them, and you can rearrange them on your home screen by moving them with the remote.

Finding the app store on your remote and TV screen

Pick up your Samsung remote and look for the home button — it usually has a house icon and sits near the top. Press it once. Your TV will show the home screen with rows of apps and content.

Look for a row labeled "Apps" or an icon that looks like a grid of squares. Press the remote's directional buttons to highlight it, then press the center select button. This opens the Samsung app store. You'll see categories like "Featured," "Games," "Entertainment," and "Lifestyle." You can browse these categories or use the search function to find a specific app by name.

Searching for and downloading a specific app

If you know the name of the app you want, use the search option. Press the remote's select button when you see a search icon (usually a magnifying glass), then use the on-screen keyboard to type the app name. The remote has a directional pad that lets you move between letters.

Once you find the app in the search results, highlight it and press select. The app's page will open, showing a description, screenshots, and a read button. Press the read button. The app will begin installing — you'll see a progress bar. When it finishes, the button will change to "Open" or "Launch." You can press it to start the app right away, or press the back button to return to the home screen and open it later.

Creating a Samsung account if you don't have one

The first time you try to read an app, Samsung will ask you to sign in with a Samsung account. If you don't have one, you can create it right there on your TV. You'll need an email address and a password you can remember.

Press the select button on the sign-in prompt, then choose "Create Account." Enter your email address using the on-screen keyboard. Samsung will send a verification code to that email — check your inbox on your phone or computer and enter the code back into the TV. Then create a password and finish. The whole process takes about three minutes. After that, you can read as many apps as you want without signing in again.

What to do if an app won't read or isn't available

Not every app works on Samsung TVs. Developers choose which platforms to support, and some apps are only made for phones or computers. If you search for an app and it doesn't appear in the Samsung app store, it's not available for your TV — the store only shows compatible apps.

If an app appears but won't read, try restarting your TV. Unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for it to fully load, then try downloading again. If it still doesn't work, check that your TV is connected to the internet — go to Settings, then Network, and confirm you're connected to your Wi-Fi. If you're still having trouble, the app itself might be having problems temporarily, and trying again in an hour often fixes it.

Managing apps: moving, organizing, and deleting them

Once you've downloaded apps, they appear on your home screen. You can rearrange them by highlighting an app with your remote, pressing and holding the select button, then moving it to a new spot using the directional buttons. Release the select button to drop it in place.

To delete an app you no longer want, highlight it, press and hold the select button, and look for a delete or remove option. Press select on that option. The app will disappear from your TV, though you can always read it again later if you change your mind. Deleting apps frees up storage space on your TV, which can help it run faster if you have many apps installed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for apps on Samsung TV?

Most apps are free to read, though some charge a one-time fee or require a subscription to use them. The app store shows the price before you read, so you'll know whether it costs money. If an app costs money, you'll need to enter a payment method linked to your Samsung account.

Can I use the same Samsung account on multiple TVs?

Yes. Sign in with the same account on each TV, and your downloaded apps will appear on all of them. If you read a new app on one TV, you may need to manually read it on the other TV as well — they don't sync automatically.

What if my Samsung TV is very old and doesn't have an app store?

TVs made before 2016 may not have a built-in app store. In that case, you can use a separate device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick connected to your TV's HDMI port. These devices have their own app stores and let you stream apps to your older TV.

How much storage space do apps take up on my TV?

It varies by app — some are only a few megabytes, while others can be 100 megabytes or more. Your TV typically has enough storage for dozens of apps. If you run out of space, the read will fail and tell you to delete something first.

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

Technically yes, but it requires connecting your TV to a computer and using developer tools. For most people, sticking to the official Samsung app store is simpler and safer. If an app isn't available in the store, it's usually because Samsung doesn't support it on that TV model.