There are a few reasons why you may not see the App Store on your Apple TV. The App Store allows you to download new apps and games directly to your Apple TV. If you just set up your Apple TV and expected to find the App Store, but it’s missing, don’t worry! Here are some quick troubleshooting tips to get the App Store back on your home screen.
Check Your Apple TV Model
The first thing to check is which model Apple TV you have. The App Store is only available on the Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models. It does not exist on earlier models like the Apple TV 3rd generation.
To check your model, go to Settings > General > About on your Apple TV. Look at the Model number. If it’s one of these models, you should see the App Store:
- Apple TV 4K (1st generation or later)
- Apple TV HD (4th generation)
If you have an earlier Apple TV model, unfortunately the App Store is not available. You will not be able to download any new apps beyond what comes pre-installed.
Make Sure Your Apple TV is Updated
If you have the right Apple TV model, next check to ensure your device is updated to the latest TVOS version. The App Store requires at least tvOS 11 or later.
To check for updates:
- Go to Settings > System > Software Updates.
- If an update is available, select Download and Install.
- Your Apple TV will download and install the latest update, which may add the App Store.
Occasionally new software updates can get temporarily stuck. If your Apple TV says no updates are available, try unplugging it from power for 1 minute. Then plug back in and check for updates again.
Check Restrictions Settings
The App Store may be disabled by the restrictions settings on your Apple TV. Check to ensure it is enabled:
- Go to Settings > General > Restrictions.
- Enter your restrictions passcode if required.
- Make sure Apps is set to Allow.
If Apps was set to Disallow, change to Allow and this should make the App Store visible again.
Contact Apple Support
If you are certain you have a supported Apple TV model, running the latest tvOS, and restrictions are not blocking the App Store, then try contacting Apple support. There may be an unknown software glitch preventing the App Store from showing up.
Apple’s support site offers 24/7 online chat or phone support. They can troubleshoot further and confirm if your hardwareconfiguration should be showing the App Store or not.
Reasons You May Not See the App Store on Apple TV
Beyond the quick troubleshooting steps above, here are the most common reasons you may not see the App Store on your Apple TV and fixes for each:
You Have an Older Apple TV Model
As mentioned above, only the Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K models support the App Store.
| Apple TV Model | App Store Available? |
|---|---|
| 3rd generation and earlier | No |
| Apple TV HD 4th generation | Yes |
| Apple TV 4K | Yes |
If you have an older model like the Apple TV 2nd or 3rd generation, there is no way to get the App Store. These models do not support downloading additional apps and games. Your only option is to purchase a newer Apple TV.
Your Apple TV Needs a Software Update
To use the App Store, your Apple TV needs to be updated to at least tvOS 11.0 or later. Earlier versions do not support the App Store.
Go to Settings > System > Software Updates to check for updates. If one is available, download and install it. This should add the App Store.
Occasionally the software updates can get stuck when trying to install. If your Apple TV says no updates are available, but you still don’t see the App Store, try unplugging from power for 1 minute and checking again. This often resolves update issues.
Restrictions Are Disabling the App Store
The restrictions settings on your Apple TV allow you to disable certain apps and features. This includes the App Store.
To check, go to Settings > General > Restrictions. Enter your restrictions passcode if required. Make sure Apps is set to Allow.
If Apps was set to Disallow, change to Allow and the App Store should reappear on your Apple TV’s home screen.
Login Issue with Your Apple ID
In order to access the App Store, your Apple TV needs to be logged into your Apple ID account. If you are encountering any login issues, the App Store may fail to load.
Check that your Apple ID is correctly signed in by going to Settings > Accounts > iTunes and App Store. If you see any error messages or problems signing in, you may need to sign out then sign back in with your Apple ID password.
Be sure you are entering the correct password. If you have multiple Apple IDs, log in with the one associated with your Apple TV purchases.
If you continue having login problems, you can go to https://appleid.apple.com to manage your Apple ID account and reset your password if needed.
Connection Issues over Wi-Fi/Ethernet
Your Apple TV needs an internet connection to access the App Store and download new apps. If you are experiencing any Wi-Fi or Ethernet network issues, this can prevent the App Store from working properly.
Some things to try:
- Reboot your wireless router and Apple TV.
- Check that your Apple TV has a valid IP address under Settings > General > Network.
- Try disconnecting and reconnecting the Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
- Test your internet speeds on another device to confirm your network is working correctly.
Resolve any connection problems, then restart your Apple TV and see if the App Store loads. Slow internet speeds can also cause issues with the App Store.
App Store Glitch or Bug
In rare cases, a software bug or glitch on Apple’s end may prevent the App Store from displaying properly on your Apple TV. Even if you have the right hardware and software, and no connection issues, the App Store may still fail to show up.
Some possible fixes if you suspect a bug:
- Force restart your Apple TV by holding Menu and Volume Down simultaneously until the screen goes black. The Apple logo will appear on restart.
- Unplug Apple TV power, wait one minute, then plug back in and restart.
- Sign out then back into your Apple ID account.
Restarting and signing out/in can often clear up software glitches and make the App Store visible again.
As a last resort, you can try resetting your Apple TV back to factory defaults. This wipes all data and resets software issues. Open Settings > System > Reset and choose Reset All Settings. Be sure to backup your Apple TV before resetting.
How to Use the App Store on Apple TV
Once you resolve any issues getting the App Store to show up, here is how you can start using it to add new apps and games to your Apple TV:
Accessing the App Store
– From the main menu, select the App Store icon. This opens up the App Store.
Browsing Apps
– To browse apps, choose Categories at the top of the screen. Here you can select a category like Games, Entertainment, Education, Lifestyle and others.
– Within each category you can select sub-categories to narrow your search. For example, Action or Adventure games.
– You can also enter names directly into the Search bar to find specific apps.
Viewing App Details
– When you select an app icon, you will see details like ratings, screenshots, description and more.
– Scroll down to see What’s New in the latest version of that app.
– Select Read Reviews to see ratings and feedback from other users.
Downloading and Installing Apps
– To download an app or game, find it in the App Store then select Get.
– You may be prompted to sign in with your Apple ID password. Enter your password to confirm the download.
– A progress bar will show the download status. Large apps and games may take a while to finish downloading.
– Once the download reaches 100%, the app will automatically install onto your Apple TV’s home screen.
– To open the newly installed app, go to the home screen and select its icon. Enjoy!
Managing Your Apps
The App Store makes it easy to keep your apps up to date and manage their storage on your Apple TV:
Check for App Updates
Open the App Store, select Updates at the top and install any available app updates. Keeping apps updated ensures you have the latest features and bug fixes.
Reinstall Previous Purchases
If you ever need to download an app again in the future, open the App Store and select Purchased. Here you can reinstall any apps you’ve previously downloaded.
Offload Unused Apps
To free up storage space on your Apple TV, you can offload apps you no longer use. Go to Settings > General > Manage Storage to view and delete apps.
Conclusion
Having issues getting the App Store to display in your Apple TV? First ensure you have a 4th generation or 4K model, the latest tvOS software installed, and check restrictions settings. If the problem persists, contact Apple support to investigate further. With the proper hardware and software configuration, you should be able to access and download new apps through the App Store. It provides a great way to add functionality and fun to your Apple TV!