Getting apps onto your Apple TV through the App Store
You download apps on Apple TV the same way you do on an iPhone: through the App Store, which comes built into every Apple TV. The App Store is a menu on your home screen that connects to Apple's library of programs made for television. When you open it, you can browse, read descriptions, and install apps directly to your device — no computer needed.
The process takes about two minutes per app. You navigate using your remote, select the app you want, and press a button to download it. The app installs automatically in the background while you use your TV, and it shows up on your home screen when it's ready.
Key Takeaways
- Open the App Store from your Apple TV home screen, search for the app by name, and press the select button on your remote to download it.
- Apps download and install in the background — you don't have to wait or do anything else while it happens.
- Your Apple TV needs an internet connection to download apps, and you need to be signed into your Apple ID account.
- If an app won't download, restart your Apple TV by going to Settings, then System, then Restart.
- Deleting an app from your Apple TV doesn't delete it from your Apple ID account, so you can reinstall it later without paying again.
Step-by-step: downloading an app from the App Store
Step 1: Open the App Store. From your Apple TV home screen, scroll down to find the App Store icon (it looks like a blue square with white dots). Press the select button on your remote to open it.
Step 2: Search for the app. You'll see a search icon at the top of the App Store. Press select on it, then use your remote to type the app name. The remote has a keyboard that appears on screen — you can use the trackpad to move between letters, or speak the name if your remote has a microphone (Siri Remote does).
Step 3: Select the app from the results. When you see the app you want, press select to open its page. You'll see a description, screenshots, reviews, and a download button.
Step 4: Press the download button. On the app's page, you'll see a button that says "Get" or shows a cloud icon with a download arrow. Press select on your remote to start the download. If the app costs money, you'll be asked to confirm the purchase using your Apple ID.
Step 5: Wait for installation to finish. The button will change to show a progress bar. You don't have to stay on this screen — you can go back to your home screen and use your TV normally. The app will install in the background and appear on your home screen when it's done, usually within a few minutes.
What to do if you already own an app on another device
If you've already bought an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you don't pay for it again on Apple TV. Your purchases are tied to your Apple ID account, not to individual devices. When you download that same app on your Apple TV, it installs for free.
To see apps you've already bought, open the App Store, scroll to the top, and look for your profile icon (usually in the upper right corner). Press select on it, then choose "Purchased". You'll see a list of every app you've bought with that Apple ID. Find the one you want and press the download button — it will install without charging you again.
This also works the other way: if you buy an app on your Apple TV, you can download it free on your iPhone or iPad using the same Apple ID.
Checking your internet connection before downloading
Apps need a working internet connection to download. If your download stalls or fails, the first thing to check is whether your Apple TV is actually connected to WiFi or ethernet.
Go to Settings on your home screen, then select AirPlay and HomeKit. Look for WiFi or Network Status. If it says "Connected" and shows your network name, you're online. If it says "Not Connected" or shows no network, your Apple TV has lost its connection — reconnect it to your WiFi network and try downloading again.
If you're connected but the download is very slow, move your Apple TV closer to your WiFi router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. A faster connection will speed up the download.
Restarting your Apple TV if an app won't download
Sometimes an app download gets stuck or fails partway through. The fastest fix is to restart your Apple TV, which clears out temporary files and resets the download system.
Go to Settings on your home screen. Select System, then Restart. Your Apple TV will turn off and back on — this takes about 30 seconds. Once it's back up, go to the App Store and try downloading the app again.
If the download still fails after a restart, try these steps: First, make sure you're signed into your Apple ID. Go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, and check that your account shows "Signed In". Second, check how much storage space your Apple TV has left. Go to Settings, select AirPlay and HomeKit, then About. If storage is nearly full, delete an app you don't use to make room. Then try the download again.
Finding and organizing downloaded apps on your home screen
When an app finishes downloading, it appears on your Apple TV home screen automatically. You can move it around to organize your screen the way you want. Press and hold the select button on the app icon, and a menu will appear with options to move it or delete it. Use your remote to drag it to a new position.
If you've downloaded many apps and your home screen is crowded, you can create folders to group them. Press and hold select on an app, then choose "Create Folder". You can name the folder and drag other apps into it. This keeps your home screen clean and makes it easier to find what you want.
Apps you download stay on your Apple TV until you delete them. Deleting an app from your home screen doesn't erase it from your Apple ID account — you can reinstall it later without paying again or waiting for a new download.
Updating apps you've already downloaded
App developers release updates regularly to fix problems and add new features. Your Apple TV can update apps automatically, or you can update them yourself.
To turn on automatic updates, go to Settings, select Apps, then Automatic Updates. Turn this on, and your Apple TV will download and install app updates overnight when you're not using it.
To update an app right now, open the App Store and scroll to the top. Look for your profile icon and press select. Choose "Purchased", find the app you want to update, and if an update is available you'll see an "Update" button instead of "Get". Press select to download the update. The app will keep working while the update installs in the background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download apps on my Apple TV without signing into an Apple ID?
No. You must be signed into an Apple ID to download any app, even free ones. Go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, and sign in with your Apple ID email and password. If you don't have an Apple ID, you can create one for free at appleid.apple.com.
Why does an app say "Get" instead of "Download"?
Both words mean the same thing on Apple TV. "Get" appears for free apps, and "Get" also appears for paid apps before you confirm the purchase. Once you press select, the app will download and install.
What happens if I delete an app and want it back later?
Go to the App Store, search for the app by name, and press the download button. It will install again without charging you, because your Apple ID remembers that you've already bought it. This works even if years have passed since you deleted it.
Can I download apps from somewhere other than the App Store?
No. The App Store is the only place to get apps for Apple TV. You cannot sideload apps or download them from websites. Every app on Apple TV comes through the App Store.
How much storage space do apps take up on my Apple TV?
It varies by app. Streaming apps like Netflix or YouTube are small, usually 50 to 200 megabytes. Games and apps with lots of features can be larger, sometimes 500 megabytes to a gigabyte. You can see how much space an app uses before you download it — the size appears on the app's page in the App Store.