You've just unboxed that massive, sleek Samsung screen. It looks incredible. But then you realize the remote feels like a foreign object and you can't find Netflix anywhere. Or maybe you're trying to hunt down a niche fitness app and the "Smart Hub" is acting like it’s never heard of the internet.
Getting apps onto a Samsung TV should be easy. Honestly, though? It's often a bit of a headache because Samsung keeps changing the interface every couple of years. If you’re looking at a 2026 model, it looks nothing like the one your parents bought in 2020.
Basically, your TV runs on something called Tizen OS. It’s not Android. That’s the first thing to wrap your head around—you can’t just go to the Google Play Store. You have to use Samsung’s walled garden. Here is the real-world way to get it done without losing your mind.
The Basic Routine: How to Download Apps on Samsung TV
First, make sure you aren't fighting a losing battle. Your TV needs to be online. It sounds obvious, but a shaky Wi-Fi signal is the number one reason downloads fail halfway through.
- Grab that remote and hit the Home button. It usually has a little house icon.
- Look at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see a row of icons. Navigate left or right until you hit Apps. It’s usually represented by four small squares forming a larger square.
- Select it. This opens the Samsung App Store.
- Don't waste time scrolling through the "Featured" junk. Go straight to the Search icon (the magnifying glass) in the top right.
- Type the name of the app.
- Once the app page pops up, hit Install.
Wait a few seconds. If you have a decent connection, it’ll be done before you can find the popcorn.
The Secret Step: Add to Home
Most people forget this. Once it’s installed, the TV will ask if you want to "Add to Home." Say yes. If you don’t, you’ll have to dig through the entire Apps menu every single time you want to watch something. It's a massive pain.
Why You Can't Find Your App
Sometimes the app just isn't there. You search for "ESPN" or "Crunchyroll" and get zero results. Why?
Usually, it's a compatibility issue. Samsung stops supporting older Tizen versions after about 5-7 years. If you’re rocking a 2017 model, some of the newer, heavier apps simply won't show up in the store because the hardware can’t handle them.
💡 You might also like: How Long Is My Phone? The Measurement Mistake You're Probably Making
Another culprit is your region. The Samsung App Store is region-locked. If you bought your TV in the UK but you’re trying to download a US-only streaming service, it won't appear. People often try to bypass this with a VPN at the router level, but even then, your Samsung Account needs to match the region.
The "Smart Hub is Updating" Loop
This is the worst. You click "Apps" and get a message saying the Smart Hub is updating. You wait ten minutes. Still updating.
Here is a pro tip: Cold Boot your TV. Don't just turn it off with the remote. That just puts it in standby. Actually unplug the TV from the wall. Wait 60 seconds. Plug it back in. This forces the OS to reload the App Store cache, which usually clears the "updating" glitch.
Managing Your Storage (Because It’s Tiny)
Samsung TVs are notorious for having almost no internal storage. You might have 4GB total, and 3.5GB of that is taken up by the system and pre-installed "bloatware" you never asked for (looking at you, Samsung TV Plus).
If you try to download a new game or a big app and it fails, you probably ran out of space.
How to delete apps you don't use:
- Go back to the Apps menu.
- Select Settings (the gear icon) in the top right.
- Find the app you hate.
- Select Delete.
Note: Some apps are "locked" by Samsung. You can't delete them. It’s annoying, but that’s just how it is. You can, however, "Reinstall" them if they are glitching out, which often fixes weird crashing issues.
Sideloading: The Great "Maybe"
Can you sideload apps on a Samsung TV? Sorta.
Because it’s Tizen and not Android, you can’t just "Find an APK" and install it via USB like you would on a Sony or a Fire Stick. To sideload on Samsung, you usually have to put the TV into Developer Mode and use a computer with the Tizen Studio SDK to push files over the network.
Honestly? It's too much work for 99% of people. If you really need an app that isn't in the Samsung store (like Kodi), just buy a $30 Chromecast or Roku. It’ll save you hours of frustration.
Troubleshooting When Things Go South
If the "Install" button is greyed out, check your Samsung Account. You actually have to be signed in to download anything. Even free apps.
🔗 Read more: Is the 13 inch macbook pro m2 actually worth it in 2026?
Go to Settings > General > System Manager > Samsung Account to make sure you’re logged in. If you aren't, the store is basically a "look but don't touch" gallery.
Quick Fix Checklist:
- DNS Issues: If the store won't load, try changing your DNS to Google’s (8.8.8.8) in the Network Settings.
- Firmware: Always check for a software update. An outdated OS will often block the App Store from connecting to Samsung’s servers.
- The PIN: If it asks for a PIN and you never set one, the default is almost always 0000.
Actionable Next Steps
To get your TV set up perfectly right now, follow these three steps. First, go into your App settings and delete three apps you know you’ll never use to clear some "breathing room" in the memory. Second, search for your favorite streaming service and, once installed, use the "Move" function to pin it to the very front of your home bar. Finally, check your "Auto Update" settings in the App Store menu—turn it on so you don't have to manually refresh your apps every time a developer pushes a bug fix.