The basic process: find the app, read it, and open it
Installing an app on a Samsung Smart TV takes about five minutes and works the same way whether you're adding Netflix, YouTube, or any other program. You navigate to the app store built into your TV, search for the app by name, select it, and press a button to read. Once it finishes, the app appears on your home screen and you can open it when ready.
The whole process happens on your TV itself — you don't need a computer, phone, or any other device. You use your TV remote to move through menus and make selections, just like you would to change the channel.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Smart TVs use an app store called Samsung TV Plus or the Galaxy Store, depending on your TV's age and model, and you access it directly from your home screen.
- Most popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and Disney+ are already available in the store and read in under a minute on a stable internet connection.
- Your TV must be connected to the internet by WiFi or ethernet cable before you can read anything, and the connection must stay active during the read.
- If an app won't read or install, restarting your TV and checking your internet connection fixes the problem about 80 percent of the time.
Make sure your TV is connected to the internet
Before you can read any app, your Samsung TV needs an active internet connection. Check this first by pressing the Home button on your remote, then looking at the top right corner of the screen — if you see a WiFi symbol, your TV is already connected and you can skip ahead.
If you don't see a WiFi symbol, your TV is not connected. Press Home, then navigate to Settings (the gear icon). Select Network, then WiFi, and choose your home network from the list. Enter your WiFi password using the remote's on-screen keyboard. Once you see the WiFi symbol appear, your connection is ready.
If you have an ethernet cable plugged into the back of your TV, it will connect automatically — you don't need to do anything. Ethernet is more stable than WiFi if your TV is near your router.
Open the app store on your Samsung TV
Press the Home button on your remote. You'll see your TV's home screen with rows of apps and content. Look for an icon labeled "Samsung TV Plus," "Galaxy Store," or "Apps" — the exact name depends on whether your TV was made in the last two years or earlier. Older Samsung TVs use Samsung TV Plus; newer ones use Galaxy Store.
Select that icon and press Enter. The app store will open and show you rows of popular apps. At the top of the screen, you'll see a search box. This is where you'll find the specific app you want.
Search for and read the app you want
Move your remote to highlight the search box at the top of the app store screen and press Enter. A keyboard will appear on your screen. Use your remote to spell out the app's name — for example, "Netflix" or "YouTube" — and press Enter when you're done typing.
The store will show you results. Select the app you want from the list and press Enter. A details page will open showing the app's name, a description, and a button that says "read" or "Install." Press Enter on that button.
The read will begin when ready. You'll see a progress bar or a spinning circle while the app downloads and installs. This usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes, depending on the app's size and your internet speed. Do not turn off your TV or unplug it during this time.
Find and open your newly installed app
Once the read finishes, the button will change to say "Open" or "Installed." You can press Enter to open the app right away, or you can press Home to go back to your TV's home screen.
If you pressed Home, look at your home screen — the new app will appear in a row, usually near the top or in a section labeled "My Apps." You can select it and press Enter to open it anytime. Some apps will ask you to sign in with an account (like your Netflix username and password) the first time you open them.
What to do if the read fails or gets stuck
If the read stops, shows an error message, or the progress bar doesn't move for more than five minutes, restart your TV. Press the power button on your remote to turn it off completely, wait 30 seconds, then press power again to turn it back on. Once it's fully restarted, go back to the app store and try downloading again.
If the read fails a second time, check your internet connection. Press Home, go to Settings, select Network, and look at the connection status. If it says "Not Connected" or shows a weak signal, move closer to your WiFi router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. Then try the read once more.
If you see a message that says the app is not available in your region, that app cannot be installed on your TV model — this is a restriction set by the app maker, not something you can work around. Look for an alternative app that does the same thing, or check the app maker's website to see if they offer a different version for your location.
Uninstalling an app you no longer want
If you want to remove an app from your TV, press Home and find the app on your home screen. Highlight it and press and hold the Enter button (or the button labeled "Select" on some remotes) for about three seconds. A menu will appear with options including "Delete" or "Remove." Select that option and press Enter. The app will be deleted when ready.
Uninstalling an app does not affect any other apps or settings on your TV. You can reinstall it anytime by going back to the app store and downloading it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install apps from somewhere other than the Samsung app store?
No. Samsung Smart TVs only allow you to read apps from the official Samsung TV Plus or Galaxy Store. You cannot sideload apps from other sources or install apps from a USB drive. This is a security feature built into Samsung TVs.
Why does my TV say an app is not available in my region?
Some apps are licensed to work only in certain countries or regions. The app maker, not Samsung, decides where their app can be downloaded. If an app is blocked in your region, you cannot install it on your TV, even if you can use it on your phone.
Do I need to pay for apps, or are they all free?
Most apps are free to read, but some charge a one-time fee or require a subscription (like Netflix or Hulu). The app store will show you the price before you read. Free apps may still show ads or ask you to pay for premium features once you open them.
What happens to my apps if I restart my TV?
Restarting your TV does not delete any apps. All the apps you've downloaded will still be there after the restart, and you can open them the same way you did before.
Can I move an app to a different spot on my home screen?
Yes. Highlight the app on your home screen, press and hold Enter for three seconds, and select "Move" from the menu that appears. Use your remote to navigate to the new location and press Enter to place it there.