Adding apps to Apple TV takes three steps: open the App Store, search for the app you want, and press install
Apple TV comes with built-in apps like Apple TV+, Apple Music, and Podcasts, but you can add hundreds more. The process is the same whether you own an Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, or an older model — you navigate to the App Store using your remote, find the app, and install it. Most apps read and open within seconds. You do not need a computer or iTunes; everything happens directly on the device.
The apps you install stay on your Apple TV until you delete them. You can organize them into folders, rearrange them on the home screen, and switch between them just like on an iPhone or iPad. Some apps are free; others cost money or require a subscription to the service itself (like Netflix or Disney+).
Key Takeaways
- Open the App Store from your Apple TV home screen, search for an app by name, and press the select button to install it.
- Free apps install when ready; paid apps require you to confirm the purchase using your Apple ID password or Face ID.
- Apps you install appear on your home screen and can be organized into folders or moved around using the remote.
- You can delete apps by pressing and holding the select button on any app, then choosing remove from the menu.
- Your installed apps sync across all Apple devices signed into the same Apple ID, so you may see apps already installed that you added on iPhone or iPad.
Finding and installing apps from the App Store
Press the TV button on your Apple TV remote to go to the home screen. Look for the App Store icon — it is a blue square with a white app symbol. Select it and press the center button on your remote to open it.
Once inside the App Store, you will see featured apps, categories, and a search option at the top. Use the search function to find the app you want by typing its name. The remote has a keyboard that appears on screen; use the trackpad on the remote to move between letters and select them. For most apps, you can also say the app name aloud by pressing and holding the microphone button on your remote, then speaking the name.
When you find the app, select it to see the description, reviews, and screenshots. Press the cloud icon with a read arrow (or the price button if the app costs money) to start the installation. Free apps install without any additional steps. Paid apps will ask you to confirm the purchase — you can do this with your Apple ID password, Face ID, or Touch ID depending on your Apple TV model.
What happens after you install an app
Once installation finishes, the app appears on your home screen. You can open it when ready by selecting it and pressing the center button. The app will remember your login information if you sign in, so you do not have to enter your username and password every time you open it.
If you install many apps, your home screen can become crowded. You can organize them by creating folders: press and hold the select button on any app, choose "Move", then navigate to an empty space and create a new folder. You can also delete apps the same way — press and hold, then choose "Remove" from the menu. Deleting an app does not delete your account or any saved data within that service; it only removes the app from your Apple TV.
Apps that sync across your Apple devices
If you sign into Apple TV with the same Apple ID you use on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, your installed apps will sync automatically. This means if you buy an app on your iPhone, it may already be installed on your Apple TV without you doing anything. The reverse is also true — apps you install on Apple TV can appear on your other devices.
You can control this behavior in Settings. Go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, choose your Apple ID, then select iCloud. Toggle "Automatic Updates" on or off to decide whether apps update automatically across all your devices. You can also manually hide apps you do not want to see on a particular device without deleting them from others.
Troubleshooting apps that will not install
If an app fails to install, first check that your Apple TV is connected to the internet. Go to Settings, select Network, and confirm you are connected to Wi-Fi. If the connection is good, restart your Apple TV by going to Settings, selecting System, and choosing Restart.
Some apps require a minimum version of tvOS (the operating system Apple TV runs). If an app says it is not compatible, check your tvOS version in Settings under System and Software Updates. If an update is available, install it and try again. Occasionally an app is temporarily unavailable in your region or has been removed from the App Store entirely; in those cases, you will see a message saying the app cannot be found.
If you see an error message during purchase, make sure your Apple ID account has a valid payment method on file. Go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, choose your Apple ID, then select Payment and Shipping to add or update a credit card.
Organizing your home screen for straightforward access
Your Apple TV home screen can hold dozens of apps, but you can make it easier to navigate by grouping related ones together. Create a folder for streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+), another for games, and another for utilities like Settings or Remote. Press and hold any app, select "Move", then navigate to an empty space and create a new folder by pressing select.
You can also rearrange apps by pressing and holding one, selecting "Move", and dragging it to a new position. The top row of your home screen is the most visible, so put the apps you use most often there. Apple TV remembers your layout, so you do not have to reorganize every time you turn it on.
Free vs. paid apps and subscriptions
Most popular apps on Apple TV are free to read — Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Disney+, and Prime Video do not charge for the app itself. However, they do require a paid subscription to the service to watch content. When you open a free app for the first time, you will be asked to sign in with your account for that service.
Some apps cost money upfront. These are usually games, productivity tools, or specialized apps. The price appears on the app's page in the App Store before you install it. Once you buy an app, you own it and can reinstall it on any Apple TV signed into your Apple ID without paying again.
A few apps use a subscription model where you pay monthly or yearly directly through Apple TV. These are less common than service subscriptions like Netflix, but they work the same way — you subscribe through the app, and Apple charges your payment method on file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install apps on an older Apple TV model?
Yes, but the older the model, the fewer apps are available. Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD support the full App Store. Older models like Apple TV (3rd generation) have a smaller selection and cannot install newer apps. Check your model in Settings under System to see what you own.
What if an app keeps crashing after I install it?
Force close the app by pressing the home button on your remote twice and swiping up on the app preview. Then restart your Apple TV by going to Settings, selecting System, and choosing Restart. If the app still crashes, delete it and reinstall it from the App Store.
Do I need to pay for apps if I already have them on my iPhone?
No. If you bought an app on iPhone and it is available on Apple TV, you can install it on Apple TV for free because it is tied to your Apple ID. Some apps are iPhone-only and do not have an Apple TV version, so they will not appear in the App Store on your TV.
Can I use my Apple TV remote to type passwords into apps?
Yes. When an app asks you to sign in, an on-screen keyboard appears. Use the trackpad on your remote to move between letters and the center button to select them. For faster typing, press and hold the microphone button and speak your password if the app supports voice input.
What happens to my apps if I sign out of my Apple ID?
Apps stay installed on your Apple TV, but you lose access to apps you bought and cannot update them. If you sign back in with the same Apple ID, your apps and purchases reappear. If you sign in with a different Apple ID, you will see that account's apps instead.