How to Add New Apps to Your Smart TV

Smart TVs can download streaming apps, games, and utilities just like a phone. Here is how to find and install new apps on the most popular TV platforms.

In this guide (4 steps):

1.Add apps on Roku TV
2.Add apps on Amazon Fire TV
3.Add apps on Samsung Smart TV
4.Add apps on LG TV or Android TV (Google TV)

Add apps on Roku TV

~31s

Press the Home button on your Roku remote. Scroll down to "Streaming Channels" or "Channel Store." Browse by category (Featured, Movies & TV, Sports, Kids, etc.) or use the Search bar to find a specific app. Click on any app → "Add Channel" → "OK." The channel installs and appears on your Roku home screen. Most channels are free to add; some streaming services require a paid subscription to actually watch content.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: On Roku, installed apps are called "Channels." Look for the Channel Store in your main menu if you don't see "Streaming Channels."

Add apps on Amazon Fire TV

~21s

From the Fire TV home screen, scroll right to "Find" → select "Apps" or "App Store." Browse the categories or type in the search bar at the top. Click any app → "Get" (for free apps) or "Buy" (for paid apps). The app downloads and installs automatically. It appears in your app library or on the home screen under "Your Apps & Channels."

Add apps on Samsung Smart TV

~39s

Press the Smart Hub button on your Samsung remote (it looks like a house or a grid of squares). Navigate to the Apps section → click the Search icon at the top. Type the app name. Click the app in results → "Install." Installed apps appear in your App Bar at the bottom of the screen. If you don't see a new app on the home bar immediately, go to Apps → "Recently Added" to find it.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Samsung Smart TVs are regularly updated with new apps. If an app you want isn't available in the Samsung App Store, it may only be available on Roku or Fire TV (which are streaming sticks you can plug into your TV as an alternative).

Add apps on LG TV or Android TV (Google TV)

~25s

On LG webOS TVs: press the Home button → open the LG Content Store → browse or search for apps → Install. On Android TV or Google TV (newer TVs from Sony, Hisense, TCL, etc.): navigate to the Google Play Store icon on the home screen → search for the app → Install. Google TV has a much larger app selection since it uses the same Play Store as Android phones.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Add New Apps to Your Smart TV

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Smart TVs have an app store — similar to the App Store on your phone — where you can download streaming services, games, news apps, and more. When you first set up your TV, it usually comes with a few popular apps pre-installed, but many others are available to add for free.

The process is slightly different depending on your TV platform (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung, LG, Android TV/Google TV), but the general idea is the same: find the app store on your TV, search for the app you want, and install it for free.

This guide covers adding apps on the four most common TV platforms.

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