Getting apps on your Samsung Smart TV allows you to access popular streaming services, games, social media and more right from your living room. While Samsung Smart TVs come with some apps pre-installed, the full range of apps is available by accessing the Smart Hub and downloading additional apps from the app store. Here is a quick guide to downloading the app store on your Samsung Smart TV.
Check if Your Samsung TV is a Smart TV
The first step is to confirm that your Samsung TV is a smart TV model. Smart TVs have built-in WiFi connectivity and come with apps and streaming services pre-installed. To check if your Samsung TV is a smart TV:
- Look for a “Smart Hub” button on your Samsung TV remote. This button opens the Smart Hub where you can access and download apps.
- Check for built-in WiFi capabilities on your TV. You can check the back or side panel for a WiFi logo or indicator light.
- Navigate to the Settings menu and look for options related to wireless, networks, apps, or Smart Hub. These indicate your TV is a smart TV.
- Refer to the model number and specifications. Samsung smart TV model numbers usually contain a series like 6, 7, 8 or 9 to indicate a smart TV.
If you cannot find indicators your Samsung TV is a smart TV, you likely have a standard model without app capabilities. You would need to purchase a streaming device like a Roku or Amazon Fire Stick to access apps.
Connect Your Samsung Smart TV to the Internet
To access the app store and download apps, your Samsung Smart TV will need a high speed internet connection. There are two main ways to get your smart TV connected:
WiFi Connection
Connecting your Samsung smart TV to your home WiFi network is the most common method. To set up WiFi:
- From the Smart Hub home screen, select “Settings”.
- Choose “General” then “Network”.
- Select “Open Network Settings”.
- Choose your WiFi network from the list and enter the password.
Your TV will connect and show your WiFi network name when connected successfully. Make sure you have a strong WiFi router signal near your TV for best performance.
Ethernet Cable
For the most reliable internet connection, you can connect your Samsung smart TV with an Ethernet cable directly to your router. To use a wired connection:
- Connect an Ethernet cable to the LAN port on the back of your TV.
- Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable directly to an open LAN port on your router.
- From the Smart Hub menu, select “Settings” then “General” and “Network”.
- Choose “Wired” to connect via the Ethernet cable.
Your TV may automatically connect to the internet once the Ethernet cable is plugged in. Wired connections are typically faster and more stable than WiFi for streaming and apps.
Open the Smart Hub on Your Samsung TV
With your smart TV connected to the internet, you can now access the Smart Hub. The Smart Hub is the gateway to the app store where you can browse and download available apps and streaming services.
To open the Smart Hub menu:
- Press the “Smart Hub” button on your Samsung TV remote.
- Select the Smart Hub icon from the menu bar at the bottom of the TV screen.
- Choose “Smart Hub” from the left side panel menu.
The Smart Hub menu displays all of the available apps, streaming services, games, and content libraries on your TV. The top row shows pre-installed apps, while the bottom row has app categories like Sports, Kids and VOD Service where you can find more apps to download.
Log In with Your Samsung Account
To access the Samsung app store and download additional apps, you will need to log in with your Samsung account. If you don’t already have one, create a free Samsung account.
To log in on your smart TV:
- From the Smart Hub, select “Settings”.
- Choose “General” then select “System Manager”.
- Select “Samsung Account”.
- Choose “Sign In” and enter your account email and password.
Once logged in with your Samsung account, you will be able to browse, download, and install new apps from the Samsung app store.
Browse and Download Apps
Now comes the fun part – browsing and downloading new apps and content for your smart TV! Here are some tips for exploring the Samsung app store:
- Browse highlighted apps on the Smart Hub home page.
- Scroll down to see category rows like Sports, Kids, Life & Culture to uncover more apps.
- Search for a specific app using the search bar at the top.
- Select an app icon to view details and user reviews.
- Choose “Download” within the app description to install it.
- Certain apps may require entering payment information before downloading.
Some popular apps to consider downloading include:
- Streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max
- Social and video chat apps like Facebook Watch, Skype, Zoom
- Web browsers like Samsung Internet, Google Chrome
- Music apps like Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music
- Smart home apps to control other devices and appliances
- Games and entertainment apps
The Samsung app store has hundreds of free and paid apps to choose from spanning many categories. Browse by popularity or search for your must-have apps.
Install Downloaded Apps
Once you select “Download” for an app, it will automatically begin downloading to your smart TV. To install apps on your Samsung Smart TV:
- Go to the Smart Hub menu and select “Settings”.
- Choose “General” then “Application Manager”.
- Select “Download Manager”.
- Choose the downloaded app you want to install and select “Install”.
- To confirm installation, select “OK” on the pop-up.
The app will now install on your TV. Once finished, you can select “Open” to launch the app and begin using it.
Re-Download Purchased Apps
If you factory reset your Samsung Smart TV, you’ll need to re-download any purchased apps you previously installed. Thankfully, you can retrieve and re-install them without needing to pay again.
To re-download paid apps on your smart TV:
- Open the Smart Hub and sign in to your Samsung account that made the purchases.
- Go to “Settings” then “General” and select “Application Manager”.
- Choose “Purchase History” to see any paid apps.
- Select the app and choose “Download” to install it again.
As long as you are signed in to the Samsung account that originally paid for the apps, you can re-download them at any time even after a factory reset.
Create a Custom App Folder
To organize all of your apps and streaming services on the Smart Hub, you can create custom app folders. This keeps similar apps grouped together for easy access.
To make a custom app folder:
- From the Smart Hub, highlight an app icon and press and hold the touchpad/enter button.
- Drag the app icon on top of another app and hold it there for 1-2 seconds.
- Release the icon. A new folder will appear with both apps inside.
- To name the folder, highlight it, press and hold enter, and select “Rename”.
You can add as many apps as you want to a custom folder. This provides a convenient way to access your favorite apps and keep your Smart Hub organized.
Remove Apps
Over time, you may want to remove some apps you’ve downloaded to free up space or eliminate unused apps. Here’s how to uninstall apps from your Samsung Smart TV:
- From the Smart Hub, go to “Settings” then “General”.
- Select “Application Manager” then choose “Downloaded App”.
- Highlight the app you want to remove and select “Delete”.
- Confirm by selecting “OK” on the pop-up.
The app will be removed from your Smart Hub immediately. Note that any apps pre-installed by Samsung cannot be deleted, only additional apps you’ve downloaded.
Conclusion
Accessing and downloading apps on your Samsung Smart TV opens up a whole world of entertainment, streaming, social media, music, games and more. Following the steps above, you can connect to the internet, log in with your Samsung account, browse the app store, download and install new apps, organize app folders, and remove unwanted apps. In minutes you can start enjoying live TV, streaming movies, video chatting with friends and all the benefits of smart apps direct on your Samsung TV.
