What You Need Before You Start
Adding apps to your smart TV requires a few things to be in place first.
- Your TV must be connected to the internet — either via Wi-Fi or an ethernet cable
- You will need accounts for the streaming services you want to use (most offer free trials)
- Some apps are free; others require a paid subscription
- Make sure your TV's software is up to date for the best app compatibility
Tip: If your TV is not a smart TV, you can add streaming apps using a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Apple TV device. See our guide on connecting a streaming device for instructions.
Adding Apps on a Samsung Smart TV
Samsung TVs use the Samsung Smart Hub and Tizen operating system.
- 1Press the Home button on your Samsung remote
- 2Navigate to the Apps section (usually at the bottom of the screen)
- 3Select the magnifying glass icon to search for an app by name
- 4Find the app you want and select "Install"
- 5Once installed, the app will appear in your app list and on the home screen
- 6To open it, press Home and select the app
Tip: Samsung TVs also have a "What's On" section that shows content from multiple streaming services at once — useful for browsing without opening each app individually.
Adding Apps on an LG Smart TV
LG TVs use the webOS platform with the LG Content Store.
- 1Press the Home button on your LG remote
- 2Select the LG Content Store (shopping bag icon)
- 3Browse featured apps or use the search function
- 4Select the app you want and click "Install"
- 5The app will appear on your home screen when installation is complete
Adding Apps on a Roku TV or Roku Device
Roku has one of the largest app selections of any streaming platform.
- 1Press the Home button on your Roku remote
- 2Scroll down and select "Streaming Channels"
- 3Browse by category or use "Search Channels" to find a specific app
- 4Select the channel and click "Add Channel"
- 5The app (called a "channel" on Roku) will appear on your home screen
Tip: You can also add Roku channels from the Roku website on your phone or computer. Go to channelstore.roku.com, sign in, and click "Add Channel" — it will appear on your TV automatically.
Adding Apps on an Amazon Fire TV
Fire TV devices and Fire TV Edition televisions use the Amazon Appstore.
- 1Press the Home button on your Fire TV remote
- 2Navigate to "Find" → "Search" or "Apps"
- 3Search for the app you want
- 4Select the app and click "Get" or "Download"
- 5The app will appear on your home screen under "Your Apps & Channels"
Adding Apps on an Apple TV
Apple TV uses the App Store, just like iPhone and iPad.
- 1From the Apple TV home screen, open the App Store
- 2Use the search function or browse by category
- 3Select the app and click "Get" to install it
- 4Sign in with your Apple ID if prompted
- 5The app will appear on your home screen
Managing and Organizing Your Apps
Once you have several apps installed, keeping them organized makes your TV easier to use.
- Move apps: On most TVs, you can press and hold an app icon to move it to a different position on the home screen
- Delete unused apps: Press and hold the app icon and look for a "Remove" or "Delete" option
- Update apps: Most smart TVs update apps automatically. To check manually, go to your app store and look for an "Updates" section.
- Sign out of apps: If you share your TV with others, you can sign out of streaming accounts in each app's settings
Tip: Put the apps you use most at the top or left of your home screen so you do not have to scroll to find them.