How to add an app to your home screen on a samsung tv requires you to add an app to your Samsung TV home screen open the Apps section find the app press and hold the select button then choose Add to Home. The app then appears in the row along the bottom of your home screen.
If the app is not installed yet you download it first from the Apps store. Then you add it to the home row.
Here is the full process plus how to reorder your apps and fix common problems.
Step 1: Install the App First
You can only add apps that are already installed. Start here if you do not have it yet.
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Select Apps which looks like four squares.
- Use the search icon at the top to find your app.
- Select the app then choose Install.
- Wait for it to finish downloading.
Most popular services like Netflix Disney+ YouTube and Prime Video are available. Availability depends on your TV model year.
Step 2: Add It to the Home Screen
Once installed put it where you want it.
- Press Home then go to Apps.
- Highlight the app you want to add.
- Press and hold the select button on your remote.
- A menu appears. Choose Add to Home.
- Use the directional pad to move the app to your preferred spot.
- Press select to place it.
The app now sits in your home row for one click access.
Reordering Apps on the Home Row
Same idea slightly different menu.
- Highlight an app already on your home row
- Press and hold select
- Choose Move
- Use the arrows to shift it left or right
- Press select to lock it in
Put your three most used apps on the far left. That is where the cursor lands by default.
Removing Apps You Do Not Use
A cluttered home row slows you down. Clear it out.
Highlight an app on the home row press and hold select then choose Remove. This only removes it from the home screen. The app stays installed.
To fully uninstall go to Apps then Settings then pick the app and choose Delete.
When an App Will Not Appear
Work through these in order.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
| App not in the store | Not supported on your model | Use a streaming stick instead |
| Cannot install | Storage full | Delete unused apps |
| App missing after update | Software refresh | Restart the TV |
| Add to Home not showing | Wrong button press | Press and hold select not just press |
| Nothing loads | Network issue | Check the TV internet connection |
That fourth row trips up most people. A quick press opens the app. A long press opens the options menu.
Older Samsung TVs
Very old models run different software. Some pre 2016 sets cannot install newer apps at all since developers stopped supporting them.
If your TV cannot get the app you want a streaming stick is the cheap fix. A Roku Fire Stick or Chromecast adds current apps to any TV with an HDMI port.
Keeping Your Apps Updated
Outdated apps crash and buffer. Keeping them current fixes many problems.
Most Samsung TVs update apps automatically. To check or force it:
- Go to Apps from the home screen.
- Open Settings in the Apps area.
- Turn on Auto Update.
- Or select an app and choose Update manually.
If an app suddenly stops working an update usually fixes it before anything else.
Freeing Up Storage
Samsung TVs have limited storage. A full drive stops new apps from installing.
- Delete apps you no longer use
- Clear the cache on heavy apps in their settings
- Remove old apps before adding new ones
- Restart the TV after clearing to refresh it
If installs keep failing storage is often the reason. Clearing a few unused apps usually solves it.
When to Use a Streaming Stick
Older Samsung TVs stop getting new apps as developers move on. If your set cannot get the app you want there is a cheap fix.
A streaming stick plugs into an HDMI port and adds current apps to any TV.
- Roku is simple and app rich
- Fire Stick suits Amazon households
- Chromecast works well with Google services
- Apple TV fits Apple users
A stick costs less than a new TV and instantly modernizes your app options.
Handy Samsung TV Tips
A few extras worth knowing.
- Press Home twice to jump straight back to the home row
- Keep apps updated through the Apps menu for better performance
- Restart the TV weekly if apps feel sluggish
- Sign into your Samsung account to sync apps across Samsung TVs
- Use the universal search to find content across multiple apps at once
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add apps to my Samsung smart TV home screen?
Open Apps highlight the app you want then press and hold the select button on your remote. Choose Add to Home and move it to your preferred spot in the row.
Why can’t I find an app on my Samsung TV?
The app may not be supported on your TV model especially on older sets. Check the Apps store search first. If it is not there a streaming stick is the simplest workaround.
How do I rearrange apps on a Samsung TV?
Highlight an app on the home row press and hold select then choose Move. Use the directional pad to shift it and press select to place it.
How do I delete an app from a Samsung TV?
Go to Apps then Settings select the app and choose Delete. Removing it from the home row only hides it and does not uninstall it.
Final Take
Adding an app to a Samsung TV home screen comes down to one trick. Press and hold the select button instead of just pressing it.
Your next step takes one minute. Move your three most used apps to the far left of the home row. That small change saves you clicks every single night.
