How to Add Apps on Samsung TV: Step-by-Step Guide 2025

There’s a reason Samsung smart TVs have been the go-to for streaming enthusiasts: they make adding apps almost effortless, whether you’re setting up a brand-new 2025 model or dusting off a TV from 2016. This guide walks through the official steps endorsed by Samsung support and tackles the common hiccups that can trip you up along the way.

Samsung TV models with app support (2016–2025): All models 2016 and later ·
Pre-installed apps: Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Samsung TV Plus ·
Apps in Smart Hub: Over 200 ·
Operating system: Tizen

Five key facts about Samsung TV app installation:

How do I download apps on my Samsung TV?

Steps to install: 3 · Time: 2 minutes · Requires: Internet, remote

1. Press the Home button on your remote.
2. Navigate to APPS (or Smart Hub icon on 2025 models).
3. Use the Search icon to find the app by name.
4. Select the app and choose Install.

Navigating to Smart Hub

Press the Home button on your remote. Samsung’s official support instructions confirm this is the starting point.

On most 2016–2024 models, you’ll see the APPS icon on the left side of the Home screen. On 2025 models, look for a Smart Hub icon instead. Tap it to open the app store.

Searching for an app

Inside the APPS screen, tap the Search icon – it’s typically in the top-right corner. Samsung’s YouTube tutorial also shows using the search function to find apps by name (Samsung YouTube). Type the app name using the on-screen keyboard.

Installing the app

Select the app from the search results. You’ll see a description, screenshots, and the Install button. Press it, wait for the download to finish, then press Home again and choose the app to open it.

The implication: the official flow is the only reliable method across all supported models.

Where is the App Store on my Samsung TV?

The location of the App Store varies slightly by model year and region, but the core entry point remains the same.

Finding the App Store on 2016–2024 models

Press Home, then scroll left to the APPS icon. Samsung’s Jordan support page notes that the search icon sits on the left side of the Home screen in that region’s UI (Samsung Support Jordan). In the Philippines, it’s in the top-right corner of the APPS screen. The App Store is fully integrated – you don’t need a separate app for it.

App Store location on 2025 models

On 2025 Samsung TVs, the Apps label may appear as a small icon inside the Smart Hub menu. Samsung’s official YouTube guidance still recommends pressing Home then selecting Apps. If you can’t find it, try looking under the Smart Hub icon – it’s a house-shaped symbol.

Why this matters: The design keeps changing, but the logic is stable: once you’re in the app hub, you’re in the store.

Why can’t I install any apps on my Samsung TV?

When the Install button refuses to work or the App Store seems empty, three common culprits are at play.

Check firmware updates

Outdated firmware can block app installations. Go to Settings → Support → Software Update and select Update Now. Samsung’s India support page emphasizes keeping your TV’s software current (Samsung Support India).

Verify internet connection

Unstable Wi-Fi may prevent downloads. Test your connection by opening a pre-installed app like Netflix. If it doesn’t load, reconnect to your network in Settings → General → Network.

Clear Smart Hub cache

Over time, the Smart Hub cache can corrupt. Samsung’s official troubleshooting recommends clearing it: go to Settings → Support → Device Care → Self Diagnosis → Reset Smart Hub. This doesn’t delete your apps – it resets the hub’s interface.

The pattern: outdated firmware and cache issues are the most common blockers, and both are easily resolved.

How do I install apps not listed in the App Store?

If the app you want isn’t found in Smart Hub, your options are limited. Samsung locks the ecosystem to protect stability and security.

Using the Downloader app

The Downloader app is a utility that lets you install official Samsung apps that may not appear in the standard Smart Hub search. It is not a tool for pirated content – only apps approved by Samsung can be installed through it.

Limitations

Apps not listed in the Store cannot be installed through normal methods. Sideloading APK files is not possible on Tizen-based Samsung TVs.

How do I add apps to my Samsung TV homepage?

After installation, you can pin apps to the Home screen for one-click access.

Rearranging apps on the Home screen

From the Home screen, navigate to APPS and highlight the app you just installed. Press and hold the remote’s Enter button until a menu appears. Select Add to Home Screen. Samsung Jordan’s support page confirms this step: “After installation, select Add to Home to place the app on the Home Screen” (Samsung Support Jordan).

Adding apps to the favorites row

Some 2025 models allow you to create a Favorites row. While in the Home screen, scroll to the far right and select Edit. Drag the app icon from the Downloaded App section into the favorites area.

Why is there no apps button on my Samsung TV?

It’s a common scare, but almost always solvable.

Common causes for missing Apps button

If you own a TV manufactured before 2016, it likely lacks a dedicated Apps button. Instead, use the Smart Hub button on the remote – it’s often labeled with a house or a ‘S’ symbol.

Alternative ways to access apps

On 2025 models, the Apps button may be hidden inside the Smart Hub overlay. Press Home, then look for a small grid icon. If the button is simply missing from the remote, you can remap a different button using the remote’s settings menu.

What this means: for 2016 and later models, the Apps button is accessible through the Home screen, even if not labeled explicitly.

Clarity: what’s confirmed vs. what’s still in flux

What Samsung support and users say

“Press the Home button on your remote. Then select APPS. Use the Search icon to find the app you want. Select Install.”

Samsung Support India (official product support page)

“After installation, select Add to Home to place the app on the Home Screen. You can also access the app later under Downloaded App from the Home screen.”

Samsung Support Jordan (official regional support page)

For users of 2022 and newer models, the process is identical – but a Reddit user in r/SmartThings noted that on some 2022 TVs the Install button was temporarily grayed out after a firmware update, a glitch fixed by a subsequent patch.

Summary: what it means for you

Adding apps to your Samsung TV is a straightforward routine – three taps from Home, and you’re set. The only real friction comes from outdated firmware, a hidden button, or a TV built before 2016. For owners of 2016–2025 models, the clear path is: update the firmware, clear the Smart Hub cache if things go wrong, and always use the official App Store. For anyone trying to sideload unsupported software, the roadblock is deliberate – Samsung locks the ecosystem to protect stability and security. The choice: follow the official flow, or invest in an external streaming device like a Roku or Apple TV.

Related reading: How to Watch Apple TV on Roku: Setup, Cost & Troubleshooting · Best 50 Inch TV (2026): Top-Rated Models, Reviews & Buying Guide

For a detailed walkthrough, check out this detailed guide on downloading apps that covers finding and installing apps on older Samsung models as well.

Frequently asked questions