How to Add Apps to Your Apple TV

The fastest way to add an app to Apple TV

Open the App Store on your Apple TV using the remote, search for the app by name, and press Select to install it. The app downloads and installs automatically — you do not need to do anything else. Once it finishes, the app appears on your home screen and is ready to use.

If you already own the app on your iPhone or iPad, you can also add it from your device without touching the Apple TV remote. Go to the App Store on your phone, find the app, and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow. This sends the app to your Apple TV when ready if you are signed in with the same Apple ID on both devices.

Key Takeaways

You can install apps directly on Apple TV through the App Store, or send them from your iPhone or iPad if you already own them.
Apps you buy or read on your iPhone automatically appear on Apple TV when you use the same Apple ID on both devices.
Some apps require a subscription or account login after installation — the app itself is free to add, but you may need to pay to use it.
Deleting an app from Apple TV does not delete it from your iPhone, and vice versa — each device manages its own copy.

Installing an app directly from the Apple TV App Store

Press the TV and Home button on your Apple TV remote to open the home screen. Navigate to the App Store icon — it looks like a blue square with white lines — and press Select. Use the remote to move up, down, left, and right through the categories, or move to the search icon at the top and press Select to type an app name.

Once you find the app you want, press Select on it. The app page shows a description, screenshots, and a button that says "Get" or shows the price if it costs money. Press Select on that button. If the app costs money, you will be asked to confirm the purchase using your Apple ID password or Face ID. After you confirm, the app begins downloading and installing automatically.

The app appears on your home screen as soon as it finishes installing. You do not need to restart Apple TV or do anything else — just open it and use it. If the app requires you to sign in with an account (like Netflix or Hulu), you will be prompted to do that the first time you open it.

Sending an app from your iPhone or iPad to Apple TV

If you already own an app on your iPhone or iPad, you can send it to Apple TV without buying it again. Open the App Store on your phone, find the app, and look for the cloud icon with a down arrow next to the app name. Tap that icon.

A popup will ask which device you want to send it to — select your Apple TV. The app downloads to your Apple TV in the background, and you will see a notification when it finishes. This method only works if you are signed in with the same Apple ID on both your phone and your Apple TV.

This is faster than searching on the Apple TV remote if you already know which app you want, because typing on the remote is slower than typing on your phone. It also confirms that you own the app or have already paid for it, so there is no payment step on Apple TV.

What happens when you install a paid app

If an app costs money, you will see the price instead of "Get" on the app page. Press Select on the price button, and Apple TV will ask you to confirm the purchase using your Apple ID password or Face ID. The charge goes to the payment method on file for your Apple ID — usually a credit card or Apple Gift Card balance.

Once you buy an app, you own it on that Apple ID. If you sign in to a different Apple TV with the same Apple ID, you can read that app again without paying. If you buy an app on your iPhone, you do not have to buy it again on Apple TV — you can send it over using the cloud icon method described above.

Some apps are free to install but require a subscription to use — for example, Disney+ is free to add to Apple TV, but you need a Disney+ subscription to watch anything. The app itself costs nothing; the subscription is separate and you set that up inside the app after you install it.

Removing an app from Apple TV

Press and hold the Select button on an app icon on your home screen. A menu appears with options including "Remove from Home Screen" or "Delete". Choose "Delete" to remove the app completely from Apple TV. The app disappears when ready.

Deleting an app from Apple TV does not delete it from your iPhone or iPad — each device keeps its own copy. If you want to reinstall the app on Apple TV later, you can read it again from the App Store or send it from your phone using the cloud icon.

Organizing your apps on the home screen

After you add several apps, your home screen can get crowded. You can move apps around by pressing and holding Select on an app icon, then using the remote to drag it to a new position. Press Select again to drop it in place.

You can also create folders to group similar apps together. Press and hold Select on an app, then drag it on top of another app. Apple TV creates a folder and asks you to name it. Drag more apps into the folder the same way. This keeps your home screen organized and makes it easier to find the apps you use most.

Troubleshooting apps that will not install

If an app fails to install, the most common reason is that your Apple TV does not have enough storage space. Go to Settings, then About, and check the available storage. If it is very low, delete apps you no longer use to free up space, then try installing again.

Another reason an app might not install is that it is not compatible with your Apple TV model or the version of tvOS you are running. Older Apple TV models cannot run newer apps, and some apps require a specific minimum tvOS version. Check the app page in the App Store — it shows which Apple TV models it works with.

If you are still having trouble, restart your Apple TV by going to Settings, then System, then Restart. Wait for it to turn back on, then try installing the app again. If the problem continues, sign out of your Apple ID in Settings, sign back in, and try once more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for every app I add to Apple TV?

No. Many apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Plex are free to install. You only pay if the app itself costs money — the price shows on the app page before you install it. Some free apps require a subscription to use their service, but the app itself is free to add.

Can I use the same app on my iPhone and Apple TV with one purchase?

It depends on the app. Some apps are sold separately for iPhone and Apple TV, so you have to buy each one. Others are universal and work on both devices with a single purchase — you can see this on the app page. If you buy a universal app on your iPhone, you can send it to Apple TV for free using the cloud icon.

What if I forget the name of an app I want to install?

Use the search function in the App Store on Apple TV, or search on your iPhone and send it over. You can also browse categories in the App Store like Games, Entertainment, or Productivity to find apps by type. If you remember what the app does, searching for a keyword like "fitness" or "weather" usually finds what you need.

Will my apps stay on Apple TV if I sign out of my Apple ID?

Apps you installed will remain on Apple TV, but you may not be able to use them. Some apps require you to stay signed in to your Apple ID to work. If you sign out, you might lose access to apps you bought, or they might stop working. Sign back in with the same Apple ID to restore access.

Can I install apps on Apple TV from my computer?

No. You can only install apps on Apple TV using the remote and the App Store on the TV itself, or by sending them from an iPhone or iPad. There is no way to install apps from a Mac or Windows computer directly to Apple TV.

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.