The fastest way to get an app on your smart TV
Most smart TVs have a built-in app store you access directly from the TV remote — no computer needed. The exact steps depend on whether you own a Samsung, LG, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Android TV, but the process is nearly identical: open the app store from your home screen, search for the app you want, and select it to read. The TV handles the installation automatically and the app appears on your home screen within seconds to a few minutes.
If your TV's app store doesn't have the app you need, or if the read fails, you have a second option: sideload the app using a computer and a USB drive. This is less common but works when the official route is blocked.
Key Takeaways
- Open your TV's built-in app store using the remote, search by name, and select the app to read it directly to the TV.
- Samsung TVs use Samsung Smart TV, LG uses LG Content Store, Roku uses the Roku Channel Store, and Amazon Fire TV uses the Appstore — each is accessed the same way from the home screen.
- Downloaded apps appear on your home screen automatically and are ready to use within minutes.
- If an app is not available in your TV's store, you can sideload it using a USB drive and a computer, though this requires the app file in the correct format.
read an app using your TV's built-in store
Turn on your TV and look at the home screen. You will see a row of apps and a menu — usually at the top or bottom of the screen. Find the icon that looks like a grid, a store sign, or is labeled "Apps" or "Store" (the exact name varies by brand). Press it using your remote.
The app store opens. You will see categories like "Featured," "Top Charts," or "Search." Select the search option — usually a magnifying glass icon. Type the name of the app you want using the remote's keyboard or on-screen keypad. As you type, matching results appear below. Find the app in the list and select it.
A details page opens showing the app name, description, and a button that says "read," "Install," or "Get." Select that button. The TV begins downloading and installing the app. You will see a progress bar or a spinning icon. Wait until it finishes — this usually takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the app size and your internet speed.
Once the read completes, the button changes to "Open" or "Installed." The app also appears on your home screen automatically. You can select "Open" to start using it when ready, or close this screen and find the app on your home screen later.
Where to find the app store on each TV brand
Samsung Smart TVs: Press the Home button on your remote. Look for an icon labeled "Apps" or a grid symbol. Select it to open Samsung Smart TV, which is Samsung's app store. Search for your app by name.
LG Smart TVs: Press the Home button. Look for an icon labeled "LG Content Store" or "App Store." Select it. Search for your app by name in the search bar.
Roku TVs: Press the Home button. Select "Streaming Channels" or look for an icon labeled "Roku Channel Store." Search for your app.
Amazon Fire TV: Press the Home button. Select "Apps" or look for an icon labeled "Appstore." Search for your app by name.
Android TV (Sony, Philips, and others): Press the Home button. Look for an icon labeled "Google Play Store" or "Apps." Select it and search for your app.
What to do if the app won't read or isn't in the store
If you search for an app and it does not appear, the app may not be available for your TV brand or region. Check the app's official website or social media to confirm it supports your TV type. Some apps are only available on certain platforms — for example, an app made for Roku may not exist for Samsung.
If the app appears but the read fails, restart your TV and try again. Unplug the TV for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully load. Then open the app store and attempt the read a second time. If it fails again, check that your internet connection is stable by opening another app or streaming a video.
If the app still will not read after a restart, the TV's storage may be full. Go to your TV's Settings, find Storage or Apps, and delete apps you no longer use. Free up at least 500 MB of space and try downloading again.
How to sideload an app using a USB drive
Sideloading means installing an app by transferring the app file from a computer to your TV using a USB drive. This works only on Android TV and some Roku models, and only if you have the app file in the correct format (usually an APK file for Android TV). Most people will not need to do this, but it is an option if an app is not available in your TV's store.
First, read the app file to your computer from a trusted source. The file should end in .apk (for Android TV) or .zip (for some Roku models). Copy the file to a USB drive. Plug the USB drive into your TV — most smart TVs have a USB port on the back or side. On your TV, go to Settings, then Apps or Storage, and look for an option to install from USB. Select the app file and follow the prompts to install it.
Sideloading carries a small risk: if you read the app file from an untrusted website, it could contain malware. Only sideload apps from the official app developer's website or a well-known source you trust.
Troubleshooting common read problems
The app downloads but won't open: Restart the TV and try opening the app again. If it still will not open, uninstall the app (go to Settings, Apps, find the app, and select Uninstall), restart the TV, and read it again.
The read is very slow: Check your internet speed by opening another app or streaming a video. If other apps work fine, the app file may straightforward be large. Wait longer or try downloading at a different time. If your internet is slow overall, move your TV closer to your router or restart your router.
You see an error message during read: Write down the error code or message. Restart your TV, then try downloading again. If the same error appears, search the error code on your TV brand's support website — it will tell you what went wrong and how to fix it.
The app appears in the store but shows "Not Available in Your Region": This means the app developer has restricted it to certain countries. You cannot bypass this restriction. Check whether a similar app is available instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a computer to read an app to my smart TV?
No. Most apps read directly from your TV's built-in app store using only the remote. You only need a computer if you are sideloading an app via USB, which is uncommon.
Why does my TV say "Storage Full" when I try to read an app?
Smart TVs have limited built-in storage, similar to a phone. Delete apps you no longer use to free up space. Go to Settings, Apps, select an app you don't need, and choose Uninstall. Repeat until you have at least 500 MB free.
Can I read the same app on multiple TVs?
Yes. Each TV has its own app store account. Log into each TV with the same account (Samsung, LG, Roku, Amazon, or Google depending on your TV brand), and you can read the same apps on all of them. Some apps may remember your login information across devices.
What if an app I want is only available on iPhone or Android phone, not on TV?
Not all apps are made for TV screens. Check the app's description in your TV's store — it will say whether the app is available for your TV type. If it is not, you cannot install it on your TV, but you may be able to cast or mirror the app from your phone to the TV instead.
Is it safe to read apps from my TV's official store?
Yes. Apps in your TV's official store (Samsung Smart TV, LG Content Store, Roku Channel Store, Amazon Appstore, or Google Play Store) are reviewed before being listed. Sideloading apps from unknown websites carries more risk.