How to Access and Use Samsung Apps on Samsung Smart TVs

This article shows how to access the Apps section on your Samsung smart TV so you can use, add, or delete them. For more details on your specific model consult the printed manual (for pre-Smart Hub TVs) or the e-manual available directly on your TV screen (for Smart Hub-enabled TVs). 

Setting Up a Samsung Account

When setting up a Samsung TV for the first time, set up a Samsung account. From the Home screen, select Settings > General > System Manager > Samsung Account > Create Account. You can create your Samsung account using your email address, or log in with a Facebook or PayPal account.

If your TV doesn't have those options, like for 2010 model year Samsung smart TVs, you have to first create a Samsung Apps account on the Samsung Apps website.

How to Log In to Your Account on the TV

1. Press the MENU/123 button on your remote.

2. Select Menu from the upper left-hand corner of the screen.

3. Select Smart Hub > Samsung Account > Sign In.

4. Enter your email address and password.

5. Select Sign In again.

6. Choose an image to distinguish your account from any others.

7. Select Done.

Accessing and Using Apps: 2015 to Present

Beginning in 2015, Samsung incorporated the Tizen Operating System as the foundation of the Smart Hub interface to access all TV functions, including how Samsung Apps are displayed and accessed.

When you turn the TV on, the home menu is displayed across the bottom of the screen. If not, push the Home or Smart Hub button on your remote (different models use different buttons).

1. The Home (Smart Hub) screen, provides access to general TV settings, sources (physical connections), cable, satellite service, and a web browser. In addition, pre-loaded apps are also displayed (e.g., Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu), as well as a selection labeled Apps.

2. Select Apps to access a full-screen display of the pre-loaded apps in My Apps, with links to other categories like What's New, Most Popular, Video, Lifestyle, and Entertainment. The categories include pre-loaded and suggested apps that you can download, install, and place on the home screen selection bar.

   If you're looking for an app that isn't on the list, you can see if it's available in the Samsung Apps store using the Search feature, which is located on the top right corner of any of the app menu screens. If you find your desired app, you can install it by following the same steps outlined above.

3. If you see an app in one of the categories that you'd like to add to your My Apps category, select that app's icon.

4. After you select the app, you'll be taken to the install page for that app, which provides information on what the app does, as well as some sample screenshots showing how the app works.

5. To get the app, select Install.

   Most apps can be downloaded and installed for free, but some require a fee, and some free apps require an additional subscription or pay-per-video fees to access content. If any payment is needed, you'll be prompted to provide that information.

6. After the app is installed, you'll be prompted to open it. If you don't want to open the app after installing, you can open it later.

Other Ways to Access Streaming Apps on Samsung TVs

One alternate way to access streaming apps is via the TV's built-in web browser. However, Samsung might block some channels, and the browser doesn't support some digital media file formats needed to stream content.

Samsung Apps on TVs From 2011–2014

Samsung introduced the Smart Hub TV interface in 2011, making several tweaks between 2011 and 2014, but accessing apps and account setup is essentially the same as mentioned above.

The Smart Hub menu (accessible via the Smart Hub button on the remote) consists of a full screen, which displays your currently viewed TV channel in a small box, while the rest your TV settings and content selection options—including Samsung Apps—are displayed on the remaining portion of the screen.

The apps menu is divided into several sections, including:

• Recommended Apps
• My Apps
• Most Popular
• What's New
• Categories

There's also an additional Games apps menu. With 2011 models, the Samsung App home screen displays the apps by category: Video, Lifestyle, and Sports. 

Like with the 2015 through 2019 models, you can search for additional apps via the Search function.

Downloading and installing, and filling out payment requirements, is done in a similar manner as the most recent system (as described above).

Samsung Apps on 2010 TVs

To access Samsung apps on models available prior to 2011, you'll need to go to Internet @TV, which can be done in two ways:

• Press the Internet @TV button on the remote
• Press the Content button on the remote, then select the Internet @TV icon.

This brings up a screen of the apps installed on the TV, along with an icon to the Samsung Apps store where you can get more apps. 

In the 2010 Smart TV models, at the top of the app screen, are recommended apps—Hulu, ESPN ScoreCenter, Samsung's Product Video Tutorials called SPSTV, Yahoo, and Netflix. That space eventually fills up with other apps as newer ones are installed.

Below the recommended apps is a grid of icons for the apps you've downloaded. Pressing the D button on the remote control changes the way the apps are sorted. To add an app to your favorites an, press the B button on the remote when the app is highlighted. 

Picture-in-picture is supported so that you can continue watching your TV show while you find the app you want to use. This is helpful for apps like ESPN scorecard that aren’t full screen—they appear over your TV program.

Purchasing and Downloading Apps: 2010 Models

After creating your account via the Samsung Apps website, you can add additional users to your account so family members can purchase apps from one main account (if payment is required).

Initially, you have to add money to your apps account online. Once you've set up your payment information and activated your Samsung TV, you can buy App Cash in $5 increments. To do so, select the large icon displayed in the bottom left corner of the TV to open the Samsung Apps Store, then select My Account.

You can browse through app categories in the Samsung Apps store. Selecting an app brings up a page with a description of the app, the price, and the size of the app. 

Managing TV Storage

There's a limit to the number of apps you can download as the TV has very little storage space.

If you run out of space, you can delete one or more apps from the TV to free up space. Next to the Buy Now button, in an apps description screen, is a button that lets you manage your apps and delete them immediately to make room for other ones. Purchased apps can be re-downloaded free. 

The Bottom Line

Samsung Apps expand content access both their smart TVs and Blu-ray Disc players. Now that you know how to get and use Samsung Apps, find out more about the different Samsung apps and which Samsung apps are best.

In addition to Samsung's smart TVs, many apps are also available through their Blu-ray Discs players and Galaxy smartphones. However, not all Samsung Apps are available for use on all Samsung App-enabled devices.