The basic steps to install an app on Apple TV

Adding an app to your Apple TV means finding it in the App Store and downloading it to your device. On most Apple TV models, you do this through the App Store app that comes built in. Open the App Store, search for the app you want, select it, and press the select button on your remote to download. The app then appears on your home screen and is ready to use.

The exact steps depend on which Apple TV model you have — the process is slightly different on the newer tvOS 16 and later compared to older versions. But the core idea is the same: find, download, install. Most apps download in seconds to a few minutes, depending on their size and your internet speed.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the App Store app on your Apple TV home screen, search for the app by name, and press select on your remote to download it.
  • Downloaded apps appear automatically on your home screen and are ready to open immediately after installation finishes.
  • You need an Apple ID to download apps, and it should be the same one you use on your iPhone or iPad if you want your apps to sync across devices.
  • If an app won't download, restart your Apple TV and check that you have a working internet connection.

Finding and downloading apps through the App Store

Start by pressing the home button on your Apple TV remote to go to the home screen. Look for the App Store icon — it looks like a blue square with a white play button symbol. Open it and you'll see categories like Games, Entertainment, and Productivity, or you can search for a specific app by name.

Use the search function if you know the app you want. Type the name using your remote (you can use the on-screen keyboard or, on newer remotes, speak the name aloud). Once you find the app, select it to open its detail page. You'll see a download button, usually labeled with a cloud icon or the price if the app costs money. Press select to start the download.

The app downloads in the background and installs automatically. You don't need to do anything else — once it's done, it shows up on your home screen. Some apps are free, others cost money, and some offer both a free version and paid features inside the app.

What happens after you download an app

After an app finishes downloading, it appears as a new icon on your Apple TV home screen. You can open it immediately by selecting it with your remote. The app is now installed on your Apple TV and will stay there until you remove it.

If you have the same Apple ID on your iPhone or iPad, some apps sync automatically across your devices. This means if you download Netflix on your Apple TV, you might see it already installed on your phone, or vice versa. You can control this behavior in your Apple TV settings under Users and Accounts if you want to prevent automatic syncing.

Organizing and removing apps from your home screen

Once you have apps on your Apple TV, you can rearrange them on the home screen. Press and hold the select button on an app icon until it starts to jiggle, then use your remote to move it to a new position. Press select again to lock it in place.

If you want to remove an app, press and hold select on its icon until a menu appears, then choose the delete or remove option. Deleting an app from your Apple TV doesn't affect the same app on your iPhone or iPad — they're separate installations. You can always download the app again later from the App Store if you change your mind.

Troubleshooting when an app won't download

If an app fails to download or gets stuck, the first step is to check your internet connection. Go to Settings on your Apple TV, select Network, and make sure you're connected to Wi-Fi. If the connection is weak or unstable, move your Apple TV closer to your router or restart your router.

If your connection is fine, restart your Apple TV. Hold down the menu button on your remote for about six seconds until the screen goes black, then wait a few seconds for it to turn back on. Once it restarts, try downloading the app again. If it still doesn't work, sign out of your Apple ID in Settings, sign back in, and try once more.

Some apps may not be available in your region or may require a newer version of tvOS than your Apple TV is running. Check the app's detail page in the App Store — it will tell you if there's a compatibility issue. If your Apple TV is outdated, you can update it in Settings under System, then Software Updates.

Understanding app storage and space limits

Apple TV models have different amounts of storage. The 32GB model has less room than the 64GB model, and older Apple TV boxes have even less. Apps take up varying amounts of space — a simple app might use 50MB, while a game could use several gigabytes.

If your Apple TV runs out of storage, you won't be able to download new apps. You can check how much space you have left in Settings under About. If you're running low, delete apps you no longer use. You can always download them again later, and your saved data in some apps (like game progress) may be stored in iCloud rather than on the device itself, depending on the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for apps on Apple TV?

Some apps are free, and others cost money. The price appears on the app's detail page in the App Store before you download. Free apps with in-app purchases will show that option too. You pay through your Apple ID, using the same payment method you have on file for your iTunes or App Store account.

Can I download the same app on multiple Apple TVs?

Yes, if you use the same Apple ID on each Apple TV, you can download paid apps on one device and they're available on the others without paying again. This is called family sharing. Each Apple TV in your home can have a different user account, but apps purchased under one Apple ID can be shared across devices.

What if an app I want isn't in the App Store?

Not all apps are available for Apple TV. Some developers only make versions for iPhone or iPad. Check the App Store search to confirm it's not there. If it's not, you won't be able to install it on your Apple TV — there's no way to sideload apps like you can on some Android devices.

Will deleting an app erase my saved data?

Usually yes — deleting an app removes its data from your Apple TV. However, some apps save your progress to iCloud, so when you download the app again, your data comes back. Check the app's settings before you delete it to see if it offers cloud backup. Games often do; streaming apps usually don't store anything important locally.

Can I update apps on Apple TV automatically?

Yes. Go to Settings, select Apps, then App Updates, and turn on automatic updates. Your Apple TV will then download new versions of your apps in the background when they're released. You can also update apps manually by opening the App Store, selecting the account icon, and choosing available updates.