How to download an app on your smart TV

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Smart TVs have revolutionized the way we watch television and media. Gone are the days when you needed a plethora of external devices to stream shows, listen to music, or play games. Smart TVs integrate internet functionality directly, so you can access a variety of streaming services, apps, and other online resources right from your TV. In this lengthy guide, you'll learn how to download apps on your smart TV. We'll go step-by-step so it's clear to everyone, even those who don't know much about technology.

Step 1: Make sure your TV is connected to the Internet

Before you can download any apps, your smart TV must be connected to the internet. Here's how you can make sure your TV is connected:

1. Open the Settings menu: Using your TV remote, navigate to the Settings menu.
2. Select network settings: In the Settings menu, look for a section labeled "Network" or "Internet" settings.
3. Choose your network type: You can usually choose between a wired connection (Ethernet) or a wireless connection (Wi-Fi). Wireless is more common in most homes.
4. Select your Wi-Fi network: If you selected a wireless connection, select your Wi-Fi network from the list of available networks.
5. Enter your Wi-Fi password: Use the remote to enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted.
6. Confirm the connection: Once connected, a message will display on your TV confirming that it has connected to the Internet.

Step 2: Access the App Store on your Smart TV

Each brand of smart TV has its own app store. Below are general instructions for some of the most popular smart TV brands:

Samsung Smart TV

1. Press the Home button. On your Samsung remote, press the "Home" button.
2. Navigate to Apps: Use the arrow keys on your remote to navigate to and select "Apps."
3. Open the Samsung App Store. From here you can browse or search for apps.

LG Smart TV

1. Press the Home button: On your LG remote, press the "Home" button.
2. Launch the LG Content Store: Go to the LG Content Store icon and select it.
3. Browse apps: Inside the LG Content Store, you can browse different categories or use the search function to find a specific app.

Sony Smart TV (Android TV)

1. Press the Home button. On your Sony remote, press the "Home" button.
2. Open the Google Play Store: Go to the "Google Play Store" icon and select it.
3. Search and browse: Use the search bar or browse through categories to find the app you want.

Step 3: Search and download the app

Once you access the app store on your smart TV, you're ready to search for and download apps. Here's the general process:

1. Use the search function: Most app stores have a search bar. Navigate to it using your remote and click on it to bring up the on-screen keyboard.
2. Type the name of the app: Use your remote to type the name of the app you want to download. Common apps include Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify.
3. Select the app: When you see the app in the search results, use the remote's arrow keys to select it.
4. Install the app: After selecting the app, look for the "Install" button. Click on it to start the download and installation process.
5. Wait for installation: The app will now download and install on your TV. This process may take some time depending on your internet speed.

Step 4: Open and use the app

Once the app is installed, you can easily open and use it. Here's how:

1. Return to the home screen: Press the "Home" button on your remote to return to the main menu.
2. Go to the app: Find the app you just installed in your list of apps or in a section like "My Apps" or "Downloaded Apps."
3. Open the app: Select the app to open it. You may need to sign in or set up the app, especially if it requires an account, like Netflix or Spotify.

Managing your apps

Once you've downloaded some apps, you may want to manage them. Here are some basic management tasks you may find useful:

Moving apps

1. Select an app: Go to the app you want to move.
2. Options menu: Bring up the options menu using your remote. Look for options like "Move" or "Reorder."
3. Move the app to another location: Use the arrow keys on your remote to move the app to the location you want. Confirm the new location.

Removing apps

1. Select the app to remove: Go to the app you want to remove.
2. Open the options menu: Bring up the options menu using your remote. Select "Delete" or "Remove."
3. Confirm deletion: Confirm that you want to delete the app. The app will be removed from your TV.

Updating apps

Apps may need to be updated from time to time to fix bugs or add new features. Here's how you can update apps on your smart TV:

Automatic updates

Many smart TVs are set to update apps automatically. This is the simplest method as it doesn’t require any manual intervention:

• Open Settings: Go to the Settings section of your Smart TV.
• Select Auto-Update: Look for an option like "Auto-update apps." Make sure it's turned on.
• Connected to the Internet: Make sure your TV is connected to the Internet, as updates are downloaded online.

Manual updates

1. Open the App Store: Go back to the App Store where you downloaded the app from.
2. Find app: Locate the app that needs an update.
3. Check for updates: Select the app and check for the option to update. It may be labeled "Update" instead of "Install."
4. Install updates: Follow the prompts to update the app.

Troubleshooting common problems

Sometimes, you may have problems downloading or using apps on your smart TV. Here are some common problems and solutions:

App store is not opening

• Check Internet connection: Make sure your Smart TV is connected to the Internet.
• Restart the TV: Sometimes, simply restarting the TV may fix the problem.
• Check for system updates: Your TV may need a system update. Go to Settings and check for available updates.

App won't download

• Check storage: Make sure your TV has enough storage space to download new apps. You may need to delete some unused apps or files.
• Check Internet speed: Downloads may fail if your Internet connection is too slow. Try restarting your router or improving your network connection.
• Try again later: Sometimes, the problem may be from the App Store side. Wait for a while and try again later.

The app is not working properly

• Restart the app: Close the app and reopen it. This may fix minor problems.
• Update the app: Make sure the app is up-to-date by checking for updates in the App Store.
• Clear the cache: Some TVs let you clear the app cache through the Settings menu. This may solve performance issues.
• Reinstall the app: If all else fails, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.

Advanced tips and tricks

If you're familiar with technology and want to get the most out of your smart TV, consider these advanced tips:

Using a VPN on your Smart TV

VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) can help you access geographically restricted content and increase your privacy. Some smart TVs support VPN apps directly, while others may require you to set up a VPN on your router.

Screen mirroring & casting

1. Open Screen Mirroring Settings: On your Smart TV, go to the Settings menu and find the Screen Mirroring or Casting option.
2. Enable screen mirroring: Turn on the screen mirroring feature.
3. Connect your device: On your smartphone or other device, open the Screen Mirroring or Casting option and select your TV from the list of available devices.
4. Display your screen: Your device's screen should now be visible on your smart TV.

Parental controls

1. Open Settings: Go to the Settings menu on your smart TV.
2. Find parental controls: Look for an option labeled "Parental Controls" or "Family Safety."
3. Set restrictions: You can set age restrictions, block specific apps, and control what content is accessible.
4. Create a PIN: Most systems allow you to create a PIN to prevent unauthorized changes to parental controls.

Smart home integration

Some smart TVs can be integrated into your smart home ecosystem. Here's how you can do that:

1. Check compatibility: Make sure your smart TV supports smart home integration and is compatible with your smart home system (e.g., Amazon Alexa, Google Home).
2. Set up the integration: Follow the manufacturer's instructions to connect your smart TV to your smart home system.
3. Use voice commands: Once setup, you can use voice commands to control your TV, such as turning it on/off, changing channels, or adjusting the volume.

Conclusion

Downloading and managing apps on a smart TV can greatly enhance your viewing experience, allowing you to access a myriad of digital content and services. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily navigate the complexities of smart TV technology, download your favorite apps, and even enjoy some advanced functionality. Remember to keep your TV and apps updated, manage storage effectively, and troubleshoot common issues to ensure a seamless and enjoyable viewing experience.

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