The simplest way to add apps to your Samsung TV
Most Samsung Smart TVs come with an app store built into the TV itself. You navigate to it using your remote, search for the app you want, and install it directly — no computer needed. The whole process takes a few minutes and works the same way whether you're adding Netflix, YouTube, or any other app your TV supports.
The app store on Samsung TVs is called the Samsung App Store or Samsung Smart TV App Store, depending on your model year. It's already on your TV; you just need to find it on the home screen. Once you're there, you can browse by category, search by name, or look at what's trending.
Before you start, make sure your TV is connected to the internet — either by WiFi or an ethernet cable plugged into the back. If your TV isn't online, the app store won't load and you won't be able to read anything.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Samsung App Store from your TV's home screen using your remote, then search for the app by name or browse by category.
- Press the Install button when you find an app, and it will read and appear on your home screen automatically.
- Your TV must be connected to WiFi or ethernet for the app store to work and for apps to read.
- If an app doesn't appear in the Samsung App Store, it may not be compatible with your TV model or your TV's operating system version.
- Uninstalling an app is just as straightforward: find it on your home screen, press and hold the remote button, and select Remove or Delete.
Finding and opening the Samsung App Store on your remote
On your Samsung remote, look for a button labeled Apps, Home, or a grid icon (it looks like four squares). Press that button. Your TV will show the home screen with rows of apps and content.
Look for a tile or icon labeled Samsung App Store, Apps Store, or sometimes just Apps. It's usually near the top or on the left side of the home screen. Highlight it with your remote's arrow buttons and press Enter or Select. The app store will open and show you categories like Entertainment, Sports, News, and Games.
If you don't see an app store icon on your home screen, your TV may have a different layout. Try pressing the Apps button on your remote again — sometimes it takes you directly into the store instead of showing a home screen first.
Searching for and installing a specific app
Once you're in the Samsung App Store, look for a search icon — usually a magnifying glass at the top of the screen. Highlight it and press Enter. A keyboard will appear on your screen.
Use your remote's arrow buttons to spell out the app name. This is slower than typing on a phone, so spell carefully. For example, if you want Netflix, press the arrow buttons until you reach N, then press Enter, then move to E, and so on. Most remotes also have a voice search button (a microphone icon) — if yours does, you can press that and say the app name instead, which is much faster.
Once you've typed or spoken the name, press Enter or Search. The store will show you matching results. Find the app you want and highlight it. You'll see a description, the developer's name, and an Install button. Press Enter on the Install button. The app will begin downloading — you'll see a progress bar or a message saying "Installing." Once it finishes, the button will change to say Open or Installed, and the app will appear on your home screen.
What to do if an app won't install or doesn't appear in the store
Not every app available on a phone is available for Samsung TVs. Some developers only make apps for phones and tablets, not for televisions. If you search for an app and nothing comes up, it's not compatible with Samsung Smart TVs.
If an app appears in the store but the Install button is grayed out or won't respond, your TV's operating system may be too old for that app. Samsung releases updates to the TV's software periodically. To check if an update is available, go to Settings on your home screen, then look for System or About TV, and select Software Update or Check for Updates. If an update is available, your TV will read and install it — this can take 10 to 20 minutes, and your TV may restart.
If your internet connection is slow or unstable, an app may fail to read partway through. Check that your TV is still connected to WiFi by going to Settings and looking for Network or WiFi. If the connection is weak, try moving your router closer to the TV or restarting both the TV and the router.
Managing apps on your home screen
Once an app is installed, it appears as a tile on your home screen. You can rearrange these tiles, delete apps you don't use, or create folders to organize them.
To move an app, highlight it with your remote, press and hold the Select or Enter button, and you'll see options appear. Look for Move or Rearrange. Use the arrow buttons to drag the app to a new position, then press Enter to drop it there. To delete an app, highlight it, press and hold Select or Enter, and choose Remove, Delete, or Uninstall. The app will disappear from your home screen when ready, though you can always reinstall it later from the app store.
Some Samsung TVs let you create folders to group apps by type — for example, a folder for streaming services or a folder for games. Look for an option to Create Folder when you press and hold on an app. If your TV doesn't have this feature, you can still organize by moving apps around manually.
Using apps you've already paid for on other devices
If you've bought an app on your phone or tablet — like a game or a utility — you may be able to use it on your Samsung TV without paying again. This depends on whether the developer made a TV version of the app and whether you're using the same account.
For apps from Google Play (if your TV runs Android), sign into your Google account in the TV's settings. Then when you open the Samsung App Store, apps you've already bought will show as Installed or Open instead of asking you to buy them again. The same applies to apps from the Samsung App Store if you're using the same Samsung account on your TV that you used to buy the app.
Not all apps work this way. Some developers charge separately for a phone version and a TV version, even though they're the same app. Check the app's description in the store to see if it mentions whether your purchase carries over.
Troubleshooting apps that won't open or keep crashing
If an app installed successfully but won't open, or it opens and then closes when ready, try these steps in order.
First, restart the app. Highlight it on your home screen and press Enter. If it closes on its own, wait 10 seconds and try again. Sometimes an app just needs a moment to load.
Second, restart your TV. Press the power button on your remote to turn it off completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. This clears the TV's memory and often fixes apps that are crashing.
Third, check your internet connection. Go to Settings, find Network or WiFi, and make sure you're connected. If the connection is weak, restart your router — unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to reconnect.
If the app still won't work after these steps, uninstall it and reinstall it fresh. Highlight the app, press and hold Select, choose Remove or Delete, wait a few seconds, then go back to the Samsung App Store and install it again. This downloads a fresh copy and often solves the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install apps from somewhere other than the Samsung App Store?
Most Samsung TVs only allow apps from the official Samsung App Store. Some older models or models sold in certain regions may have access to Google Play Store instead, which has a larger selection. Check your TV's home screen to see which store you have. Do not attempt to sideload apps from the internet — this can damage your TV or create security problems.
Why does my TV say an app needs an update?
App developers release updates to fix bugs, add features, or improve performance. When an update is available, you'll see a notification or an Update button instead of Open. Highlight the app and press the Update button. The new version will read and install automatically. Updates are free.
Do I need a Samsung account to read apps?
Most free apps do not require an account — you can install them when ready. Some apps, especially streaming services like Netflix or Disney+, require you to sign in with your own account after installation, but that's different from a Samsung account. If you want to buy paid apps, you may need to set up a Samsung account or link a payment method, depending on your TV model.
What happens to my apps if I factory reset my TV?
A factory reset erases everything on your TV, including all installed apps. Your TV will go back to the state it was in when it left the factory. You'll need to reinstall every app afterward. For this reason, only do a factory reset if you're troubleshooting a serious problem or preparing to sell or give away your TV.
Can I install the same app on multiple Samsung TVs?
Yes. If you have more than one Samsung TV in your home, you can install the same app on each one. If you're using the same Samsung account on both TVs, apps you've bought will be available on both without paying twice. Sign into your Samsung account in the settings on each TV to link them.