Key Takeaways
- To Download Apps on Samsung TV New Models: Turn On your TV → Connect it to WIFI→ Press the Home or SmartHub button on the remote → Apps → Search icon → Enter the name of the app → Highlight the app → Install.
- To Download Apps on Samsung TV Older Models: Turn On your TV → Connect it to WIFI → Press the INTERNET @ button on the remote → Content View → Search for the app → Select the app → Download Now.
After setting up my Samsung smart TV for the first time, the next thing I did was look for my favorite apps. While Samsung TV has certain pre-installed apps, not all my favorites were on the list. As I prepared to download my desired apps from SmartHub, I thought I would cover it up as an article.
The cache I found is Samsung TV running on Tizen OS doesn’t support sideloading apps like other smart TVs. So, you can install only those compatible apps on the SmartHub. Don’t feel bad, as I will share other alternative ways to watch your favorite content. Moreover, this guide will also uncover the steps to move apps on Samsung Smart TVs.
Is it Possible to Download Apps on All Smart TVs?
The simple answer is no. If you own a Samsung Smart TV launched after 2011 or above, you can download the apps with ease. Samsung Smart TVs manufactured before 2011 are not compatible with downloading the apps. Moreover, you cannot download apps on non-smart Samsung TVs.
How to Download Apps on Samsung Smart TV
As mentioned above, Samsung TV comes up with certain pre-installed apps. Apart from that, you can also download or add your favorite apps from the SmartHub Store on your Samsung Smart TV.
[1] Turn On your Samsung Smart TV and connect it to a strong WIFI connection.
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[2] Fetch the Samsung TV remote and press the Home or SmartHub button on your remote.
[3] Navigate to the Apps section on the home screen.
[4] Click the Search icon in the upper-right corner.
[5] Enter the name of the app by using the on-screen keyboard and highlight the app from the search result.
[6] Now, click the Install button to download the app on your TV.
Within a few seconds, the app will be installed on your TV successfully.
Note: If you haven’t linked your Samsung account with your TV, you need to sign in to install and set up a new application.
How to Install Apps on Samsung Smart TV Older Models
The installation steps may vary if you own a Samsung TV launched before 2016.
[1] Connect your Samsung TV to the internet.
[2] Now, press the INTERNET @ button on your Samsung TV remote.
[3] Hit the Content View option to select the Search bar.
[4] Now, search for the app that you need to download on your Smart TV.
[5] Select the app from the list of apps displayed on the search result.
[6] Hit the Download Now button to download the app on your older Samsung TV.
How to Move the Downloaded Apps to the Home Screen On Samsung TV
Once you have downloaded the desired app on your Samsung TV, you can arrange and move the apps to the home screen of your Samsung TV to launch the app more quickly.
[1] Power On your Samsung TV and press the Home or SmartHub button on your remote control.
[2] Select the Apps tile and navigate to the Download App section.
[3] Choose the app that you need to move to the home screen of your Samsung TV.
[4] Now, press and hold the OK or Center button on your remote for 3-5 seconds.
[5] Select the Add to Home option from the popup menu.
[6] Scroll and place the app in your desired location, then press the OK or Center button on the remote to place the app.
How to Customize the Order of the Apps from the Home Screen of Samsung TV
You can also customize the order of downloaded apps on the home screen of your Samsung TV. You can do this process directly from the home screen or by using the Edit List option on Samsung Smart TVs.
[1] Press the Home or SmartHub button on your remote and select the Edit List option.
[2] Highlight the app you want to move to the home screen and hit the down button on your remote.
[3] Choose the Move option from the drop-down menu.
[4] Locate and reposition the apps to your preferred location.
[5] Finally, hit the OK or Center button on the remote to place the app.
How to Lock and Unlock an App on Samsung TV
You can also enable the lock option on your Samsung Smart TV to enhance your privacy. Once you have Locked the app on your TV, it cannot be opened until you re-enter the PIN.
[1] Press the Home button on your Samsung remote.
[2] Go to Apps and select the Settings menu.
[3] Highlight the app you want to lock or unlock from the list of apps.
[4] Now, you have to pick any one of the below-mentioned operations.
- If you need to lock the app, select the Lock option and enter your passcode in the app.
- If you need to unlock the app, you can use the Unlock option and enter the PIN to unlock the app from your TV.
Alternative Way to Stream Apps on Samsung TV
Since you cannot download third-party apps on your Samsung Smart TV, you can follow the alternative ways to stream third-party app content on your Samsung TV.
Using Screen Mirroring
Screen mirroring or AirPlay the content from your smartphone or PC to the Samsung Smart TV is one of the best ways to stream non-compatibility apps on your Samsung Smart TV. The technology works by connecting both devices to the same WIFI connection. Moreover, you can also use the SmartThings app to Cast the content from your smartphone to the Samsung Smart TV.
Streaming Devices
Streaming devices are smart sticks that help to convert your normal TV into a smart TV. By connecting the streaming device to your Samsung TV, you can install and stream your desired app on your streaming device-connected Samsung TV. There are many streaming devices that are compatible with Samsung Smart TVs, and they are listed below.
- Apple TV
- Google TV with Chromecast
- Roku
- Firestick
- TiVo
- Android TV Box
Essential Samsung TV Apps to Install on Samsung TV
Some of the most popular and downloaded apps on Samsung Smart TV are listed below.
S.No | App Name | Category | Cost Per Month |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Samsung TV Plus | Streaming | Free |
2 | Samsung SmartThings | Lifestyle | Free |
3 | YouTube | Video Sharing | Free/Premium |
4 | Steam Link | Game | Free |
5 | Spotify | Music | Free/Premium |
6 | AccuWeather | Weather | Free |
7 | TED | Education | Free |
8 | Prime Video | Streaming | Premium |
9 | Netflix | Streaming | Premium |
10 | Echelon FitPass | Lifestyle | Premium |
FAQ
No, you cannot install any third-party apps on Samsung TV.
You can screen mirror the content on Samsung TV by downloading the required app on your smartphone or PC.
Yes, you can update the firmware of your Samsung TV by connecting to a stable WIFI connection.
You can download apps on your Samsung TV models launched in 2011 till now.
You cannot download the app on your Samsung TV if it is not connected to the internet connection.
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