How to Add Apps to Your Samsung TV

The fastest way to add apps to your Samsung TV

Most Samsung TVs let you download apps directly through the TV itself using the remote. Open the app store built into your TV — usually called Samsung TV Plus, Galaxy Store, or just Apps depending on your model year — then search for the app you want and select Install. The app downloads and appears on your home screen within seconds to a few minutes.

If your TV is older or the app you want isn't in Samsung's store, you can sideload it using a USB drive or cast it from your phone. Both methods work, but they take longer and require a few extra steps. The built-in store is almost always the simplest route.

Key Takeaways

Open the Samsung TV Plus or Galaxy Store app on your TV using the remote, search for the app you want, and select Install to add it to your home screen.
Most common apps like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and Disney+ are already in Samsung's store and install in under a minute.
If an app isn't in Samsung's store, you can cast it from your phone using AirPlay or Chromecast, or sideload it using a USB drive if your TV supports it.
Apps you install stay on your TV until you manually remove them, and you can rearrange them by holding the remote button on each app.

Finding and installing apps through Samsung's built-in store

Press the Home button on your Samsung remote. You'll see your TV's home screen with rows of apps and content. Look for an icon labeled Apps, Samsung TV Plus, Galaxy Store, or sometimes just a grid symbol — the exact name depends on when your TV was made, but it's usually near the top left or in a dedicated row.

Select that icon and you'll enter the app store. Use the remote to navigate to the search option (usually a magnifying glass at the top) and type the name of the app you want. The remote has a small keyboard that appears on screen, or you can use voice search if your remote has a microphone button. Once you find the app, highlight it and press Select or Install. The download starts immediately.

The app will show a progress bar while it installs. Once it finishes, you'll see an Open button. You can select Open to launch it right away, or press Home to go back to your home screen and find the app in your apps list. It stays there until you remove it.

What to do if the app you want isn't in Samsung's store

Not every app appears in Samsung's official store. Smaller apps, regional apps, or very new ones might be missing. Before you try workarounds, check whether the app is available on a different platform your TV supports. Most Samsung TVs can cast from your phone using AirPlay (if you have an iPhone) or Chromecast (if you have an Android phone). This lets you run the app on your phone and display it on your TV without installing anything.

If casting doesn't work for what you need, some Samsung TVs let you sideload apps using a USB drive. This is more technical: you download the app file (usually an APK file for Android-based Samsung TVs) onto a USB drive on a computer, plug the drive into your TV's USB port, and navigate to it through the TV's file manager. Not all Samsung models support this, and it requires finding the correct file from a trusted source. Check your TV's manual or Samsung's support site to see if your specific model allows sideloading.

Organizing and managing the apps you've installed

Once you have apps on your home screen, you can move them around to put the ones you use most in easy reach. Hold down the Select button on your remote while highlighting an app, and a menu appears with options to move it. Use the arrow buttons to position it where you want, then press Select again to lock it in place. Different Samsung TV models have slightly different menus here, but the hold-and-move pattern is standard.

You can also create folders to group apps together. Highlight an app, hold Select, and look for an option to create a folder or move the app into an existing one. This keeps your home screen less cluttered if you have many apps installed.

Removing apps you no longer use

To delete an app, highlight it on your home screen, hold down the Select button on your remote, and choose Remove or Delete from the menu that appears. The app disappears from your home screen immediately. You can always reinstall it later from the store if you change your mind — your TV remembers that you had it before, so reinstalling is faster than the first install.

Some apps that came pre-installed on your TV (like Samsung TV Plus itself) cannot be deleted, only hidden. If you see a Hide option instead of Delete, that's why. Hidden apps don't show on your home screen but are still taking up storage space on your TV.

Troubleshooting apps that won't install

If an app fails to install, the most common reason is that your TV doesn't have enough free storage space. Samsung TVs typically have between 4 and 16 GB of storage depending on the model, and that space fills up with apps and cached data. Delete apps you're not using, or clear the cache of apps you keep. Go to Settings, then Apps or Application Manager, select an app, and choose Clear Cache or Clear Data.

If the app still won't install after you've freed up space, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Also check that your TV is connected to the internet — apps won't download without a working WiFi connection. Go to Settings, then Network or WiFi, and make sure you're connected to your home network.

If a specific app repeatedly fails to install, it may not be compatible with your TV model. Very old Samsung TVs (more than 8 to 10 years old) may not support newer apps, and some apps only work on certain TV sizes or regions. Check the app's page in the store for compatibility information, or search online for your TV model number plus the app name to see if others have had success with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install apps from sources other than Samsung's store?

Yes, but it depends on your TV model. You can cast apps from your phone to almost any Samsung TV using AirPlay or Chromecast. Some newer models also support sideloading via USB, but older TVs do not. Check your TV's manual or Samsung's support site for your specific model.

Do I need a Samsung account to download apps?

No. You can browse and install apps from Samsung's store without signing in. However, some individual apps (like Netflix or Disney+) require their own accounts to use, even though the app itself installs for free.

Will my apps stay on my TV if I unplug it?

Yes. Apps are stored on your TV's internal memory, not in temporary memory. Unplugging your TV won't delete them. They'll still be there the next time you turn it on.

How much storage do apps use on my Samsung TV?

It varies widely. Small apps like a remote control app might use 50 MB, while streaming apps like Netflix can use 200 MB to 500 MB each. Your TV's total storage ranges from 4 GB to 16 GB depending on the model, so you can usually fit dozens of apps before running out of space.

What's the difference between Samsung TV Plus and the Galaxy Store?

Samsung TV Plus is Samsung's own streaming service with free, ad-supported content. The Galaxy Store is where you download other apps. Newer TVs use the Galaxy Store; older ones use a different app store. Both work the same way — search, select, install.

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.