How to Install Apps on Your Samsung Smart TV

The basic process: using the Samsung App Store

Most Samsung Smart TVs come with a built-in app store called Samsung Apps or Galaxy Store, depending on your TV's age and model. To install an app, you press the Home button on your remote, navigate to the Apps section, search for what you want, and select Install. The TV downloads and installs it automatically — you don't need a computer or USB drive for most apps.

The exact button names and menu locations vary slightly between Samsung TV models made in different years. Older models (2016 and earlier) use Samsung Apps. Newer models use Galaxy Store. Both work the same way: find the app, press Install, wait for the download to finish, and the app appears on your home screen ready to use.

Your TV needs an internet connection — either wired through ethernet or wireless through Wi-Fi — for this to work. If your TV isn't connected to the internet yet, go to Settings, then Network, and choose your Wi-Fi network or plug in an ethernet cable.

Key Takeaways

Press Home on your remote, go to Apps, search for the app you want, and select Install — the TV handles the rest without needing a computer.
Your TV must be connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or ethernet) before you can download anything from the app store.
Not every app exists for Samsung TVs, so search first to confirm the app you want is available before troubleshooting.
If an app won't install, restart your TV, check your internet connection, and clear the app store cache before trying again.
You can also sideload apps using a USB drive or Samsung SmartThings app if an app isn't available in the store, though this requires more steps.

Finding apps in Samsung Apps or Galaxy Store

Open the app store by pressing Home on your remote, then select Apps. You'll see featured apps on the home screen, but most people search instead. Look for a search icon (usually a magnifying glass) and type the app name. Samsung's search is straightforward — it shows you what's available and whether it's free or costs money.

Not every app made for phones or computers exists for Samsung TVs. Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Prime Video, and Hulu are there. Spotify, Apple Music, and other music apps are there. But some apps — like banking apps or specialized tools — may not have a TV version. If you search and nothing comes up, the app isn't available for your TV model, and you'll need to find an alternative or use a different method.

Some apps are free. Others cost money and require you to buy them through your Samsung account. Your TV will ask you to confirm the purchase before charging you. You can also set up parental controls to prevent accidental purchases if you have children in the house.

Installing an app step by step

Once you've found an app in the store, select it to open the app's information page. You'll see a description, screenshots, reviews, and an Install button (or a price if you have to buy it). Press Install and wait. The download time depends on the app size and your internet speed — most apps take between 30 seconds and 5 minutes.

While the app installs, you'll see a progress bar. Don't turn off your TV or unplug it during this time. Once installation finishes, the Install button changes to Open or Launch. You can press it immediately to start using the app, or close the store and find the app on your home screen later.

The app now stays on your TV until you delete it. You can move it around on your home screen by selecting it, pressing and holding the remote's center button, and dragging it to a new spot. To remove an app you no longer use, select it, press the Options button (usually marked with three dots or lines), and choose Delete or Uninstall.

What to do if an app won't install

If you tap Install and nothing happens, or the download gets stuck, first check your internet connection. Go to Settings, then Network, and run a connection test. If your TV shows "Connected" but the app still won't download, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot up.

If the app still won't install after a restart, clear the app store's cache. Go to Settings, then Apps, find Samsung Apps or Galaxy Store in the list, select it, and choose Clear Cache. This removes temporary files that sometimes interfere with downloads. Then try installing the app again.

If you get an error message saying "Not enough storage," your TV's internal memory is full. Go to Settings, then Storage, and delete apps or files you don't use. Samsung TVs typically have between 4 and 16 gigabytes of storage depending on the model, and some of that is reserved for the TV's operating system, so space fills up faster than you might expect.

Using the Samsung SmartThings app to install apps remotely

If you have a smartphone, you can use the Samsung SmartThings app to install apps on your TV without using the TV remote. Download SmartThings from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, sign in with your Samsung account, and select your TV from the list of devices. You can then browse the app store and install apps directly from your phone.

This is useful if your remote batteries are dead or if you prefer using your phone. The TV still needs to be on and connected to the internet. The installation process is identical — search, select Install, and wait for the download to finish on your TV.

Sideloading apps using a USB drive

If an app isn't available in Samsung Apps or Galaxy Store, you can sometimes install it manually using a USB drive — a process called sideloading. This is more complicated and carries more risk, so only do this if you're comfortable with technical steps and you trust the source of the app file.

To sideload, you need an app file in .apk format (the Android package format). You download this file to a computer, copy it to a USB drive, plug the USB drive into your TV's USB port, and use the TV's file manager to locate and install it. Not all Samsung TVs support sideloading, and Samsung doesn't officially support this method, so if something goes wrong, you're troubleshooting on your own.

A safer alternative: if an app you want isn't on your TV, check whether it's available on a streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick that you can connect to your TV instead. These devices have their own app stores and often have more apps available than Samsung's store.

Keeping your TV secure when installing apps

Only install apps from Samsung Apps or Galaxy Store. These are the official stores, and Samsung reviews apps before listing them. If someone tells you to sideload an app from a website or email link, be cautious — that's how malware gets onto devices. Stick to the official store unless you have a specific reason to do otherwise and you understand the risks.

Keep your TV's software up to date. Go to Settings, then Support, then Software Update, and check for updates regularly. Samsung releases updates that patch security problems, and older TVs stop receiving updates after a few years. If your TV is very old and no longer gets updates, be extra careful about which apps you install.

Review app permissions before installing. When you install an app, it may ask for permission to access your TV's camera, microphone, or network. Read what the app is asking for — if a simple music player asks for camera access, that's a red flag. Most legitimate apps only ask for permissions they actually need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Samsung account to install apps?

You need a Samsung account to buy paid apps, but free apps can usually be installed without one. If you try to install a free app and it asks for an account, you can create one for free using an email address. Paid apps require a valid payment method linked to your account.

Can I install the same app on multiple Samsung TVs?

Yes. If you sign in with the same Samsung account on multiple TVs, you can install the same apps on each one. Some apps let you sync settings or watch history across devices if you sign into the app itself with your account for that service (like Netflix or Spotify).

What happens if I delete an app and want it back?

Go back to the app store, search for the app, and install it again. If it was a paid app, you won't be charged twice — Samsung remembers your purchase. Your saved data inside the app may be gone, depending on whether the app stored it in the cloud or only on your TV.

Why does my TV say an app is incompatible?

Your TV model or software version is too old for that app. App developers stop supporting older devices to focus on newer ones. Check if there's a newer version of your TV's software available, or look for an older version of the app if one exists, though this is rarely possible through the official store.

Can I install apps from Google Play Store directly on my Samsung TV?

No. Samsung TVs use their own app store, not Google Play Store, even though they run Android-based software. Some apps are available in both stores, but you can only install from Samsung Apps or Galaxy Store on your TV. If an app is in Google Play but not Samsung's store, it's not made for TV screens.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.