How to Find and Install Apps on Your Smart TV

Your Smart TV has an app store where you can add streaming services, games, and more. Here's how to find, install, and manage apps on popular TV brands.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Find Your TV's App Store
2.Search for an App
3.Install the App
4.Sign In to the App
5.Organize and Remove Apps

Find Your TV's App Store

~18s

Press the Home button on your remote. Look for an "Apps" section, a shopping bag icon, or a tile that says "App Store" or "LG Content Store." On Roku TV, press the Home button and look for "Streaming Channels." On Google TV (TCL, Hisense), look for "Apps" in the top menu.

Search for an App

~28s

In the app store, find the search function — usually a magnifying glass icon. Use the on-screen keyboard to type the app name, such as "Peacock" or "YouTube." Select the app from the results. You see a description page with screenshots and an "Install" or "Get" button.

Quick Tip

If typing on the remote is slow, many TV brands let you type using the remote control app on your phone — download the app for your TV brand (Samsung SmartThings, LG ThinQ, Vizio SmartCast) and use your phone keyboard.

Install the App

~15s

Tap "Install," "Get," or "Add App" depending on your TV. The app downloads and installs — this usually takes 30-60 seconds on a good internet connection. When it finishes, you see "Open" or the app appears on your Home screen.

Sign In to the App

~28s

Open the newly installed app. Most streaming apps ask you to sign in. You can type your email and password using the on-screen keyboard, but many apps offer a faster option: "Activate on mobile" or "Sign in with a code." This shows a short code on your TV — enter that code at a website on your phone or computer to sign in without typing on the TV.

Quick Tip

Write down the activation website address (e.g., netflix.com/activate) before turning away from the TV to get your phone.

Organize and Remove Apps

~15s

On most smart TVs, you can rearrange apps on your Home screen. Highlight an app and hold the Enter or OK button. A menu appears with options to "Move" or "Delete." Move your most-used apps to the front of the Home screen for quick access.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Find and Install Apps on Your Smart TV

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Smart TVs are essentially large computers with television screens. In addition to live TV, they run apps — Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, YouTube, Spotify, and hundreds of others. Each TV brand has its own app store where you can add, remove, and manage apps.

The app stores on smart TVs work similarly to the app store on your phone. You search for an app by name, select it, and install it. Most apps are free to download — you may need an account and subscription to actually watch the content, but the app itself costs nothing.

The main smart TV brands each have a slightly different interface, but the overall process is the same. Samsung smart TVs run Tizen OS. LG runs webOS. Vizio runs SmartCast. TCL and Hisense often run Roku TV or Google TV. Knowing which operating system your TV uses helps you find the right instructions.

A common situation: you subscribe to a new streaming service on your phone but cannot find it on your TV. The service is not there because it is not installed yet — you need to go to your TV's app store and add it. This guide walks you through the process for the most popular TV platforms.

Once an app is installed, it stays on your TV unless you remove it. You do not need to reinstall apps after unplugging or restarting your TV. App settings and your logged-in account information are also saved.

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