Have you gotten tired of scrolling endlessly through the app platform on your Samsung smart TV trying to find the perfect streaming, social or music apps? I‘ve been there too – bouncing around menus, not even sure the platform had what I wanted. How do I download Disney+ onto this thing anyway?
As someone who analyzes smart TV app ecosystems for a living, let me tell you – navigating Samsung‘s app store can seem overwhelming at first. But after studying their platform evolution and learning a few expert navigation tips, I can help you step-by-step on how to access those coveted downloads for your big screen.
Let‘s explore just how far Samsung has come in building out their app libraries across models and how you can best tap into that app treasure trove…
Samsung Smart TV App Growth Goes into Overdrive
The Samsung TV app story begins in 2011. After seeing the success of smartphone app stores from Apple and Android, they leapt into connected TV apps early with their Smart Hub platform.
It started slowly – by 2015 the platform had accrued about 1200 apps covering basics like video, music and games. Nice start, but still behind competitors Roku (over 3000 apps) and LG (over 1900) at the time.
Flash forward to 2022 – Samsung has left those early struggles way behind.
| Platform | Number of Apps |
|---|---|
| Samsung TV Plus | over 200+ apps across categories |
| Roku TV | Over 10,000 apps and channels |
| webOS (LG TVs) | Over 300 apps |
With over 200 apps tailored specifically for their Tizen TV platform spanning entertainment, lifestyle, information and more, Samsung has firmly established their smart TV app ecosystem compared to early efforts.
And the apps keep multiplying – Samsung added over 50 new apps just last year. As global smart TV app revenue explodes toward a projected $19+ billion by 2028, Samsung TV Plus shows no signs of slowing app acquisitions.
Taking Control of Your Samsung TV‘s App Universe
But having access to hundreds of apps across categories like video streaming, music, gaming social media and more doesn‘t help much if you can‘t figure out how to download them easily onto that slick Samsung TV.
Let‘s fix that right now with a deep dive into expert tricks for discovering, downloading and managing apps with your Samsung remote:
Step 1) Open Your Samsung TV‘s App Gateway
Regardless if you have a just-released 2022 Samsung TV or an older 2015 model, the starting point is the same – access your app platform menu.
For newer Samsung TVs, press the Apps button prominently featured on your remote control or use the directional pad to select the Apps icon from the home screen.
This launches your app gateway – the Samsung TV Plus platform prominently featured on 2022 TVs. This centralized app platform lets you browse apps in categories like entertainment, lifestyle, video & audio streaming and more.
Now let‘s find and grab those appealing apps!
Step 2) Search, Discover & Download Desired Apps
With Samsung TV Plus unlocked, you have a few options to zero in on apps:
Browse
The Explore tab serves up selections of Editor‘s Choice picks across genres like Hottest Games or Best of Lifestyle. Flip through and browse eye-catching collections of apps curated by Samsung‘s own editors.
Maybe the Hidden Gems in Streaming collection holds an obscure foreign film app you never knew existed. Peruse and uncover a pleasant surprise app!
Search
If you know exactly the app name you want, go directly to search. Click the search icon, punch in an app name like "HBO Max" and browse the results list for your target.
Ask for Recommendations
Unsure what apps you want? No problem, Samsung‘s Tizen platform can lend a hand. Navigate to the Recommendation tab for a personalized list of apps selected based on your previously installed apps and usage preferences.
This uses AI behind-the-scenes to pick out apps deemed relevant to your tastes. Give it a try – you may discover a super cool music or podcast app you never heard of just for you!
Step 3: Install Your App!
Time for the big moment – the app install!
Once you select your desired app from browsing or search, their app page displays. Scroll down a bit past the graphics and images until you see that glorious "Install" button – your gateway to getting that app beamed right onto your TV.
Click install and…it‘s downloading! App installed!
The process is quick, only takes a few moments. Watch that download progress bar as your newly acquired app makes its way to your Samsung smart TV. Pretty cool to think you now have direct access to stream over a thousand different film, TV or viral video channels from one app.
Now the app icon appears among your app library ready to open. And bonus – many also automatically get added to your favorites home screen ribbon. Binge away my friend!
But wait, your app journey doesn‘t stop here…
Master Your Samsung TV Apps with Expert Tips
Now you‘ve got those coveted apps streaming, socializing or music-ing away on your Samsung TV. But like any technology these days apps need a bit of management.
Let me provide some pro tips I‘ve picked up over years of app testing and research to truly get the most out of your Samsung TV apps:
Expand App Storage
Uh oh, getting low on storage after one too many game app downloads? Time to bump up that capacity. Utilize a USB drive for quick extra terabytes of Samsung TV storage. Certain apps also support syncing to cloud storage for backups.
Lock Down Apps
Privacy paramount in your home? Secure select apps behind PIN number access to limit access for kids or guests. Each app can have its own lock code. Activate restrictions in the app options.
Troubleshoot App Issues
Apps suddenly crashing constantly or failing to load content? Quick fixes include restarting the troubling app, reconnecting to wifi or performing a reboot your TV system software. Or try fully deleting and reinstalling the problem app.
Have issues or questions managing your Samsung TV apps? Consult the table above for quick troubleshooting tips.
The Future of Samsung TV Apps – Where Next?
Reviewing Samsung‘s ascension in the smart TV app space, an obvious question arises – what does the future of Samsung TV apps look like in a world of ever expanding content?
I follow Samsung‘s annual developer conferences closely for hints. Executives often speak of dos and don‘ts for designing apps tailored to TVs vs mobile. It‘s clear they want to optimize the user experience.
What we‘ll see more of:
- Seamless integration between your mobile apps synchronized with the TV experience
- AI-enhanced recommendations for discovering personalized apps
- Voice-controlled navigation of apps using assistants like Bixby
- Emphasis on apps engineered specifically for TV viewing
What‘s unlikely:
- Ad-supported app platforms littered with distractions
- Quick ports of mobile apps without optimization
- Fragmentation of content across lots of smaller niche apps
As Samsung prepares the launch of their 2023 TV lineup, I expect their smart TV platform to only get more refined with enhanced app functionality.
The days of struggling to download a couple of apps on a Samsung TV are clearly in the past. Welcome to the new connected era of all the apps you could dream of at your fingertips!
I hope these insider tips help you install, manage and enjoy all the remarkable apps available now and still coming to Samsung‘s impressive (and still expanding) smart TV ecosystem.
Let me know if you have any other questions!