The fastest way to add apps to your Samsung TV

Most Samsung Smart TVs let you install apps directly from the TV's built-in app store, called the Samsung App Store or Galaxy Store depending on your model year. You do not need a computer or external device — you navigate using your remote, find the app you want, and install it in a few taps. The whole process usually takes under five minutes.

The method depends on which Samsung TV you own. Newer models (2016 and later) have the app store built in. Older models may not have this feature, and you would need to use a separate streaming device instead. You can check your TV's age and capabilities by looking at the model number on the back of the TV or in the Settings menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung Smart TVs have a built-in app store accessible from the home screen, and you install apps using only your remote.
  • You must connect your TV to the internet (either WiFi or ethernet) before you can read or install any apps.
  • Apps install directly to your TV's storage, so older or budget models may run out of space if you install too many.
  • If your TV is too old to have an app store, a Roku, Fire Stick, or Chromecast plugged into an HDMI port gives you access to thousands of apps instead.

Check your internet connection first

Before you open the app store, make sure your TV is connected to the internet. Press the Home button on your remote, then go to Settings. Look for Network or WiFi settings and confirm that your TV shows a connected status. If it does not, select your WiFi network, enter your password, and wait for the connection to complete.

If your TV is connected by ethernet cable instead of WiFi, you do not need to do anything — just confirm in Settings that the connection shows as active. Either method works equally well for downloading apps.

Open the Samsung App Store from your home screen

Press the Home button on your remote to go to the main screen. Look for an icon labeled "Apps," "Samsung App Store," or "Galaxy Store" — the exact name varies by TV model and software version. Select it with your remote and press Enter.

If you do not see an app store icon on your home screen, go to Settings, then Apps or Applications, and look for an option to open the app store from there. Some older models hide it in the menu rather than on the main screen.

Search for and install the app you want

Once the app store opens, you will see categories like Entertainment, Sports, or Utilities. You can browse by category or use the search function — usually a magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen. Type the name of the app you want using your remote's keyboard or voice search if your remote has a microphone.

When you find the app, select it and look for a button that says "Install" or "read." Press it, and the TV will begin downloading the app to its storage. You will see a progress bar. Once it finishes, the button usually changes to "Open" or "Launch." You can press that to start the app right away, or close the app store and find the app on your home screen later.

Manage your apps and storage space

After you install several apps, your TV's storage may start to fill up. Samsung Smart TVs typically have between 4 and 16 gigabytes of storage depending on the model, and apps take up space just like they do on a phone. If your TV starts running slowly or tells you there is not enough storage, you can delete apps you no longer use.

Go to Settings, then Apps or Applications, find the app you want to remove, and select Delete or Uninstall. This frees up space for new apps. You can always reinstall an app later from the app store at no cost — you do not lose your login information or settings just because you uninstalled it.

What to do if your TV does not have an app store

If your TV is older than 2016 or does not show an app store in Settings, it does not have the built-in feature. Instead of installing apps directly, you can plug a separate streaming device into one of your TV's HDMI ports. A Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, or Apple TV all connect this way and give you access to thousands of apps without needing to upgrade your television.

These devices are inexpensive — most cost between $25 and $100 — and they work with any TV that has an HDMI port. They also tend to be faster and more reliable than the app stores on older Smart TVs, because they have their own processor and storage rather than relying on your TV's hardware.

Troubleshooting apps that will not install

If an app fails to install, the most common reason is that your TV ran out of storage space. Delete a few apps you do not use and try again. The second most common reason is a weak internet connection — if your WiFi signal is poor, the read may time out. Move your TV closer to your router or restart your router and try again.

Some apps are also region-locked or not available for your specific TV model. If the app store shows the app but will not let you install it, check the app's description to see if there are compatibility notes. You can also try restarting your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and attempting the install again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Samsung account to install apps?

Most Samsung Smart TVs do not require a Samsung account to install apps from the app store. However, some apps themselves — like Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu — require you to log in with your own account once they are installed. The TV's app store itself is usually free to use without signing in.

Can I install apps from outside the Samsung App Store?

Samsung Smart TVs are designed to install apps only from the official Samsung App Store. You cannot sideload apps from a computer or USB drive the way you can on some Android phones. If an app you want is not in the Samsung App Store, a streaming device like Roku or Fire Stick may have it instead.

Will installing apps slow down my TV?

Installing a few apps will not noticeably slow your TV down. However, if you install dozens of apps, your TV may become sluggish because it is running out of storage space. Uninstalling apps you do not use regularly will speed it back up. Restarting your TV once a week also helps it run faster.

What happens if I uninstall an app and then reinstall it later?

You can reinstall any app from the Samsung App Store at any time at no cost. If the app requires a login — like Netflix or your email — you will need to sign in again, but your account and settings are not lost. The app store keeps track of what you have installed before, so reinstalling is usually faster than the first install.

Can I install apps on multiple Samsung TVs with one account?

Each TV installs apps independently from its own app store. If you have two Samsung Smart TVs in your home, you install apps on each one separately using each TV's remote. However, apps that require a login — like streaming services — will remember your account on each TV once you sign in.