Getting apps onto your Roku TV

You add apps to a Roku TV through the Roku Channel Store, which is built into your TV. You navigate to it using your Roku remote, search for the app you want, and install it directly to your TV — no computer needed. The whole process takes a few minutes and works the same way whether your TV is a TCL Roku TV, a Hisense Roku TV, or any other brand that runs Roku's operating system.

Unlike a computer or phone, you cannot sideload apps onto a Roku TV or install them from outside the official store. Roku only lets you use apps that are available in their Channel Store. This is a trade-off: it means fewer options than a smartphone, but it also means less risk of installing something that will slow down or damage your TV.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Roku Channel Store directly from your TV's home screen using your remote — you do not need a computer or phone.
  • Search for the app by name, add it to your TV, and it will appear on your home screen ready to use.
  • You need a Roku account (free) to install apps, but you can create one on your TV during the first setup or anytime after.
  • If an app is not in the Roku Channel Store, it is not available for Roku TVs, and no workaround will let you install it.
  • Roku TV apps are usually free, but some require a paid subscription to the service itself (like Netflix or Disney+).

Step-by-step: Installing an app from the Roku Channel Store

Press the Home button on your Roku remote to go to the home screen. You will see rows of apps and channels already on your TV. Look for a tile or option labeled "Roku Channel Store" or "Search Channels" — the exact name varies by Roku model, but it is always on the home screen.

Select it and you will enter the Channel Store. Use the remote to navigate to the Search option (usually at the top) and type the name of the app you want. The remote has a small keyboard on it, or you can use the on-screen keyboard. Once you find the app in the search results, select it.

You will see an "Add Channel" button or similar option. Select it. The app will begin installing to your TV — this usually takes less than a minute. Once it is done, you will see a confirmation message, and the app will appear on your home screen or in a "Recently Added" section.

Open the app and sign in with your account for that service (Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, etc.). You do not need to sign in with your Roku account again — that was only for installing the app itself.

What you need before you start

You need a Roku account, which is free. If you set up your Roku TV when you first bought it, you already created one. If you did not, you can create an account on your TV by going to Settings > Create Account, or you can create one at roku.com on a computer and then sign in on your TV.

You need your TV to be connected to Wi-Fi. Without an internet connection, the Roku Channel Store will not load and you cannot install anything. If your TV is not connected yet, go to Settings > Network and select your Wi-Fi network, then enter the password.

You do not need a computer, phone, or any other device. Everything happens on the TV itself using your remote. You do not need to pay anything to use the Roku Channel Store — the store itself is free, though individual apps may require paid subscriptions.

Apps that are free versus apps that cost money

Most apps in the Roku Channel Store are free to install. This includes Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, and hundreds of others. "Free to install" means you do not pay to add the app to your TV.

However, many of these apps require you to pay for a subscription to use them. Netflix costs money, Disney+ costs money, and so on. The Roku Channel Store will tell you whether an app is free or paid before you install it. If it requires a subscription, you will be asked to sign in or create an account with that service when you open the app for the first time.

Some apps are truly free with no subscription required — YouTube, Pluto TV, Tubi, and Roku's own free channels are examples. The app listing will say "Free" if there is no subscription needed.

Removing apps you no longer want

Go to your home screen and highlight the app you want to remove. Press the Options button on your remote (it usually has three dots or lines on it). Select "Remove Channel" or "Delete" from the menu that appears. The app will be removed from your TV when ready.

Removing an app does not delete your account with that service. If you install Netflix again later, you can sign back in with the same username and password, and your watchlist and settings will still be there.

Troubleshooting: App will not install or does not appear

If an app will not install, first check that your TV is connected to Wi-Fi and that the connection is working. Go to Settings > Network > Check Connection to test it. If the connection is fine, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

If the app still will not install, try restarting the Roku Channel Store itself. Go back to the home screen and open the Channel Store again. Search for the app and try installing it once more.

If an app installed but does not appear on your home screen, it may be in a different section. Press Home and scroll down — newly installed apps sometimes appear in a "Recently Added" row rather than at the top. You can also go to Settings > Home Screen to see all installed channels and move them around.

If the app you want is not in the Roku Channel Store at all, it is not available for Roku TVs. Roku does not allow apps from outside the official store, so there is no way to install it. Your options are to use that service on a different device (a phone, computer, or streaming device like an Apple TV or Fire Stick) or to look for a similar app that is available on Roku.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to use my computer to install apps on my Roku TV?

No. You install apps directly on your TV using your remote and the Roku Channel Store. A computer is not part of the process. You only use a computer if you want to manage your Roku account settings on roku.com, but that is optional.

What if I forget my Roku account password?

Go to roku.com on a computer and click "Sign In," then select "Forgot password?" Enter your email address and Roku will send you a reset link. Once you reset it, you can sign in on your TV with the new password.

Can I install the same app on multiple Roku TVs?

Yes. Sign in with the same Roku account on each TV, and you can install the same apps on all of them. Your subscriptions (Netflix, Hulu, etc.) are tied to those services' accounts, not to your Roku account, so you sign in separately to each one on each TV.

Why is an app I want not in the Roku Channel Store?

The app developer may not have made a Roku version, or they may have removed it. Roku has strict requirements for apps, and not every developer chooses to support Roku TVs. If an app is not available, you cannot install it on a Roku TV.

Will installing apps slow down my Roku TV?

Installing a few apps will not noticeably slow your TV. Roku TVs have limited storage, so if you install dozens of apps, you may eventually run out of space. If that happens, remove apps you no longer use. You can always reinstall them later.