The fastest way to add apps on Samsung Smart TV
Most Samsung Smart TVs let you read apps directly from the TV itself using the remote — you do not need a computer or phone. Open the app store built into your TV (called Samsung TV Plus or the Galaxy Store depending on your model year), search for the app you want, and select it to read. The app installs automatically and appears on your home screen within seconds to a few minutes.
If the app you want is not in Samsung's store, or if your TV is older, you can sideload apps using a USB drive or by connecting your phone to the TV. Both methods work, but the direct read from the TV store is simpler and the route most people should try first.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Smart TVs have a built-in app store you access from the home screen using your remote — search, select, and the app downloads to your TV.
- The app store name varies by TV model year: newer TVs use Samsung TV Plus or Galaxy Store, while older models may use a different interface.
- If an app is not in the Samsung store, you can sideload it using a USB drive formatted to FAT32, though this method requires the app file itself.
- Apps downloaded to your TV stay on your home screen and do not need to be reinstalled unless you delete them or factory reset the TV.
- Samsung Smart TVs connect to your home WiFi to read apps, so a working internet connection is required.
How to read an app from Samsung's built-in store
Start at your TV's home screen. Press the Home button on your remote if you are not already there. Look for an icon labeled "Apps" or "Samsung TV Plus" — the exact name depends on your TV model and when it was made. Select it with your remote.
Once the app store opens, you will see a search box at the top. Use your remote to navigate to it and type the name of the app you want — Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and most common streaming services are there. As you type, suggestions appear below. Select the app from the list.
A details page opens showing the app name, a description, and a button that says "Install" or "read." Select that button. The TV downloads and installs the app automatically. You will see a progress bar or notification when it is complete. The app then appears on your home screen, usually in a section labeled "My Apps" or at the end of your app row.
Open the app by selecting it from your home screen. The first time you open it, you may need to sign in with an account — for example, your Netflix or YouTube login. After that, the app remembers you and opens directly to your account.
What to do if the app is not in Samsung's store
Not every app appears in Samsung's official store. If you search and cannot find what you want, check whether the app maker offers it for Samsung TVs at all — some apps are only for phones or computers. Visit the app's official website to confirm it supports Samsung Smart TV.
If the app does support Samsung TVs but is not in the store, you have two options: sideload it using a USB drive, or contact the app maker to ask when it will be added to the Samsung store. Sideloading is faster but requires you to have the app file (usually a .apk file) downloaded to your computer first.
To sideload, format a USB drive to FAT32 on your computer, copy the app file to the drive, insert the drive into your TV's USB port, and use your TV's file manager to navigate to the drive and select the app file. The TV will install it. This method works on most Samsung Smart TVs made in the last five years, though some older models do not support it.
Connecting your TV to WiFi so apps can read
Apps read over your home internet, so your TV must be connected to WiFi. If your TV is not already connected, go to Settings on your home screen, select Network, and choose your WiFi network from the list. Enter your WiFi password using the remote keyboard.
If you do not see your network in the list, make sure your router is on and broadcasting. If your router is far from the TV, move closer temporarily to complete the connection, then move the TV back. Once connected, your TV remembers the network and reconnects automatically when you turn it on.
If your TV connects but apps still will not read, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot. Then try downloading an app again. If it still fails, restart your router the same way — unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
Managing apps and freeing up space on your TV
Samsung Smart TVs have limited storage, usually between 4 and 16 gigabytes depending on the model. If you read many apps, you may run out of space and see a message that says the TV is full. Check how much space you have left by going to Settings, then Storage or About TV.
To free up space, delete apps you no longer use. Go to your home screen, find the app, press and hold it with your remote, and select Delete or Remove. The app disappears from your home screen and the storage space is freed. You can always read it again later — your account and settings stay saved.
If you are running very low on space and cannot delete enough apps, you can factory reset your TV, which erases all apps and returns the TV to its original state. Do this only as a last resort, because you will have to read and sign into every app again. Go to Settings, select General, then Reset, and follow the prompts.
Troubleshooting apps that will not read or install
If an app fails to read, the most common cause is a weak WiFi connection. Check that your TV shows a strong WiFi signal in Settings. If the signal is weak, move your router closer to the TV or restart both the TV and router.
If the connection is strong but the app still will not read, try restarting the app store itself. Press the Home button, select the app store icon, and wait for it to fully load. Then search for the app again. Sometimes the store needs a moment to refresh.
If the app downloads but will not open, or opens and when ready closes, restart your TV. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot before trying to open the app again. If it still does not work, delete the app and read it again — this fixes corrupted app files most of the time.
If you see an error message that says "Storage Full," you have run out of space. Delete unused apps or factory reset the TV as described above. If you see "Network Error," your WiFi connection dropped — reconnect to your network and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my phone to control the app read on my TV?
Yes. Samsung makes a SmartThings app for phones that lets you control your TV remotely, including downloading apps. read SmartThings from your phone's app store, sign in with your Samsung account, and add your TV. You can then search for and read apps from your phone, and they install on your TV.
Do I need a Samsung account to read apps?
You need a Samsung account to access the app store on your TV. If you do not have one, the TV will prompt you to create one the first time you open the store. It is free. You will use the same account to sign into apps like Netflix or YouTube, though those apps have their own separate logins.
What happens to my apps if I unplug the TV?
Your apps stay on the TV. Unplugging it does not delete anything — it is the same as turning off your computer. When you plug the TV back in and turn it on, all your apps are still there and ready to use.
Can I move apps to a USB drive to save space?
Most Samsung Smart TVs do not support moving apps to external storage. You can only delete apps to free up space. Some newer models may have this feature — check your TV's Settings under Storage to see if an option exists.
Why does my app say "Update Available" on the home screen?
Apps receive updates regularly to fix bugs and add features. When an update is available, a notification appears on the app icon. Select the app and choose Update, or go to the app store, find the app, and select Update from its details page. Updates read and install automatically.