How to Add Apps to Your Samsung TV Home Screen

The fastest way to add an app to your Samsung TV home screen

Open the Samsung TV app store directly from your home screen, search for the app you want, and select Install. Once installed, the app appears automatically on your home screen or in your apps list, depending on your TV model and settings. If the app doesn't show up where you expect, you can move it manually by pressing and holding the app icon, then dragging it to your preferred location.

The exact steps vary slightly between Samsung TV models made in different years, but the core process is the same across all recent models: find the app, install it, and arrange it on your screen.

Key Takeaways

Most Samsung TVs let you install apps directly through the built-in app store without needing a separate account or payment method.
Newly installed apps may appear on your home screen automatically or in a separate apps folder, depending on your TV model year.
You can rearrange apps by pressing and holding an icon and dragging it to a new position on your home screen.
If an app doesn't appear after installation, check your TV's app folder or settings to see if it was placed there instead of on the main screen.

Finding and installing apps on Samsung TV models from 2019 onward

Press the Home button on your remote to go to the home screen. Look for an icon labeled Apps, App Store, or a grid symbol — the exact label depends on your TV model year. Select it to open the app store.

Use the search function (usually a magnifying glass icon) to find the app you want. Type the app name using your remote's keyboard or voice search if your remote has a microphone. Once you find the app, highlight it and press Select or Enter. Choose Install from the menu that appears. The TV will download and install the app, which usually takes less than a minute for most apps.

Where your newly installed app appears

On newer Samsung TVs (2020 and later), installed apps typically appear on your home screen in the row below your pinned favorites, or they may go into an Apps folder that you can access from the home screen. On older Samsung models (2019 and earlier), newly installed apps usually appear at the end of your apps list rather than on the main home screen.

If you don't see your app right away, scroll down or to the right on your home screen to find it. Some Samsung TVs also let you customize which apps appear on the main screen through a settings menu — look for an option called Customize Home or Edit Home Screen in your TV's settings.

Moving apps around on your home screen

Press and hold the app icon you want to move using your remote's Select button or by hovering over it for a few seconds. A menu will appear with options including Move or Edit. Select Move, then use your remote's arrow buttons to navigate to the spot where you want the app to go. Press Select to place it there.

On some Samsung models, you can also drag apps by holding down the Select button while pressing arrow keys to move the app across the screen. If you want to remove an app from your home screen without uninstalling it entirely, look for a Remove from Home option in the same menu — this keeps the app in your apps folder but takes it off the main screen.

Installing apps that aren't in the Samsung app store

Most popular streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and Hulu are available directly through Samsung's app store. However, some apps may not be available depending on your region or TV model. If you can't find an app in the store, check whether it's available for your specific TV model on Samsung's support website.

For apps not in the Samsung store, you cannot sideload them onto a Samsung TV the way you might on a phone or computer. Your only option is to use a streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick connected to your TV's HDMI port. These devices have their own app stores with different app selections and may offer apps Samsung's store doesn't carry.

Troubleshooting when an app won't install or appear

If an app fails to install, first check that your TV is connected to the internet and that your connection is stable. Open a web browser on your TV or check your network settings to confirm. If the connection is fine, try restarting your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

If the app still won't install, it may not be compatible with your TV model or may not be available in your region. Try searching for the app by a slightly different name — for example, search "Disney Plus" instead of "Disney+" — as some apps are listed under different titles in the Samsung store. If you've installed the app but can't find it on your home screen, check your TV's apps folder or use the search function on your home screen to locate it.

Managing storage when you have too many apps

Samsung TVs have limited storage space, and installing too many apps can slow down your TV or prevent new apps from installing. If you're running into storage problems, uninstall apps you no longer use. Press and hold an app icon, select Uninstall or Remove, and confirm the action.

You can always reinstall an app later by going back to the app store and installing it again — your login information and settings for that app are usually saved. If your TV is running very slowly even after uninstalling apps, restart it by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If problems continue, check your TV's storage settings (usually under Settings > Storage or Settings > Apps) to see how much space is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Samsung account to install apps?

No, you don't need a Samsung account to install apps from the Samsung app store. However, you will need accounts for individual apps — for example, you'll need a Netflix login to use Netflix, but that's separate from any Samsung account. Your TV connects to the internet to download apps, but the installation itself doesn't require registration.

Can I move apps to an external USB drive to save space?

Most Samsung TVs don't support moving apps to external storage the way phones do. Apps must be installed on your TV's internal storage. If you're running out of space, uninstall apps you don't use regularly. Some apps allow you to clear cached data (temporary files) through the app's settings, which can free up space without uninstalling the app entirely.

Why does an app I installed disappear from my home screen?

The app is usually still on your TV but moved to your apps folder or apps list. Press Home, then look for an Apps folder or scroll to find it. You can also use your TV's search function to find the app by name. If the app truly disappeared, it may have been uninstalled automatically if your TV ran out of storage — reinstall it from the app store.

What should I do if an app crashes or freezes after I install it?

Restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Once it restarts, open the app again. If it still crashes, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app — this often fixes problems caused by incomplete installation or corrupted files. If the app continues to crash, it may not be fully compatible with your TV model, and you may need to use a different app or streaming device instead.

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.