The App Store is built into your Apple TV — you find it on the home screen and read directly from there

Apple TV comes with an App Store already installed. You do not need a computer or any extra steps. Open your Apple TV, navigate to the App Store icon on the home screen (it looks like a blue square with white apps), and search for the app you want. Select it, press the button on your remote to read, and the app installs automatically.

You need an Apple ID to read anything. If you do not have one, you can create it on the Apple TV itself during setup, or create one on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac first and sign in with those credentials. Your Apple ID is the same account you use for iCloud, the iTunes Store, or any Apple service.

Downloaded apps appear on your home screen once installation finishes. Most apps read and install in under a minute on a wired internet connection; wireless can take longer depending on your network speed and the app size.

Key Takeaways

  • The App Store is on your Apple TV home screen — you do not need a computer or phone to read apps.
  • You must sign in with an Apple ID before you can read anything, and you can create one on the Apple TV during setup.
  • Apps read and install automatically once you select them; they appear on your home screen when ready.
  • A wired internet connection (ethernet) downloads apps faster than Wi-Fi, especially for larger apps.
  • You can delete apps from your Apple TV at any time by holding the select button on the app and choosing remove.

Finding and searching for apps in the App Store

Open the App Store from your home screen. You will see featured apps at the top, organized by category. Scroll down to browse by type — Games, Entertainment, Productivity, Sports — or use the search function to find a specific app by name.

The search button is usually at the top of the App Store. Select it, type the app name using your remote (the on-screen keyboard appears), and results show as you type. If you know the exact name, you can find most apps in two or three taps.

Read the app description, reviews, and screenshots before downloading. The description tells you what the app does, the reviews show what other users think, and screenshots show what it looks like when you open it. Some apps are free; others cost money. The price appears clearly on the app's page.

Signing in with your Apple ID

When you first set up your Apple TV, you are asked to sign in with an Apple ID. If you skip this step or need to sign in again, go to Settings on your home screen, select Users and Accounts, then select your user profile and choose Sign In with Apple ID.

If you do not have an Apple ID, you can create one on the Apple TV itself. During sign-in, look for the option to create a new Apple ID. You will need an email address and a password. You can also create an Apple ID on any iPhone, iPad, Mac, or at appleid.apple.com, then sign in with those credentials on your Apple TV.

Once you are signed in, your Apple ID stays active on that Apple TV. Any apps you read are tied to your account, and you can re-read them later without paying again if they cost money.

Downloading paid apps and managing your payment method

When you select a paid app, the price appears on the app's page. Press select on your remote to start the read. You will be asked to confirm the purchase using your Apple ID password or Face ID (if your Apple TV supports it).

Your payment method is stored in your Apple ID account. You can add or change payment methods by going to Settings, selecting Users and Accounts, choosing your profile, and selecting Payment and Shipping. You can use a credit card, debit card, or Apple Gift Card.

If a purchase fails, check that your payment method is current and that you have enough funds available. Some cards are declined for international purchases or unusual activity — contact your bank if you see a decline message.

Installing apps from a family member's account

If someone else in your household bought an app, you can read it on your own user profile without paying again. Go to the App Store, find the app, and select read. The system recognizes that the app was already purchased on your family account and installs it at no cost.

This works only if you have Family Sharing set up on your Apple ID. Family Sharing lets up to six people share purchased apps, music, books, and subscriptions. To set it up, go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, choose your profile, and select Family Sharing. You can invite family members by email, and they can then read your purchased apps.

If Family Sharing is not set up, each person needs their own Apple ID and their own purchase to read a paid app.

Updating apps and managing storage

Apps update automatically by default on Apple TV. If you want to check for updates manually, open the App Store, select the search icon, and look for the Updates tab. Any apps with available updates appear there. Select Update next to each app, or select Update All to update everything at once.

Your Apple TV has limited storage, and apps take up space. If you run out of storage, you will see a message when trying to read. Delete apps you no longer use by holding select on the app icon from your home screen and choosing Remove. Deleting an app frees up space but does not delete your account or settings — you can re-read it later.

To see how much storage you have left, go to Settings, select AirPlay and HomeKit, then select AirPlay Receiver. Scroll down to see available storage. Most Apple TV models have between 32 GB and 64 GB of total storage, and the operating system takes up about half of that.

Troubleshooting read problems

If an app will not read, first check your internet connection. Go to Settings, select Network, and confirm you are connected to Wi-Fi or ethernet. If the connection is weak, move your Apple TV closer to your router or use an ethernet cable for a faster, more stable connection.

If the connection is fine but the read still fails, restart your Apple TV. Hold the select and menu buttons on your remote for about six seconds until the screen goes dark. Wait 10 seconds, then press any button to turn it back on. Try downloading the app again.

If you see a message that says the app is not available in your region, that app cannot be downloaded in your country. This is set by the app developer or publisher, not by Apple. Try a different app or contact the developer to ask about availability.

If you are signed in but still cannot read, sign out and sign back in. Go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, choose your profile, and select Sign Out. Then sign back in with your Apple ID and password. This refreshes your account connection and often fixes read issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a computer to read apps on Apple TV?

No. The App Store is built into your Apple TV, and you read directly from the home screen using your remote. You do not need a computer, phone, or any other device.

Can I read apps from somewhere other than the App Store?

No. The App Store is the only official way to read apps on Apple TV. You cannot sideload apps or read them from other sources.

What happens if I delete an app?

Deleting an app removes it from your home screen and frees up storage space. If you paid for the app, you can re-read it later at no cost. Your account and any saved data within the app are deleted, so you may need to sign back in when you re-read.

Can multiple people on the same Apple TV use different apps?

Yes. Each user profile on your Apple TV can have its own home screen and apps. Apps downloaded by one user are available to all users unless you set up parental controls to restrict access.

Why does an app say it is not compatible with my Apple TV?

Apps require a minimum Apple TV model or tvOS version to run. Older Apple TV models cannot run newer apps. Check your Apple TV model in Settings under About, and look at the app's requirements in the App Store to see if it is compatible.