How to install apps on Smart TV

You have just bought a Smart TV and are looking forward to taking full advantage of it. This kind of television, in fact, extends the functionality of a classic TV allowing, for example, the use of applications for streaming online content or interaction with social networks. You have already tried to access the various device configuration menus but, nothing, given your inexperience with technological devices, you just can’t figure out how to install apps on Smart TVs. Is that so? Then don’t worry, because I’m here to give you a hand.

In today’s guide, I will show you how to install the applications on your Smart TV in the easiest and fastest way possible: first I will show you the steps necessary to configure the TV’s access to the Internet and then how to download the apps from its store. In the event that you encounter any problems, then, I will explain how to solve them through some suggestions or by contacting the manufacturer’s service center directly.

I bet you’re looking forward to getting started, aren’t you? In that case, let’s not waste any more time! Sit down comfortably, turn on the Smart TV and carefully follow the procedures that I will show you in the following lines. I’m sure you will be able to download the apps that best suit your needs. Are you ready? Well, let’s get started right away! I wish you a good reading and, above all, a good time!

Index

• How to install apps on Smart TV: general procedure
• How to install apps on Samsung Smart TVs
  • In case of problems
• How to install apps on LG Smart TV
  • In case of problems
• How to install apps on Philips Smart TV
  • In case of problems
• How to install apps on Sony Smart TVs
  • In case of problems

How to install apps on Smart TV: general procedure

The steps required to install apps on Smart TVs are almost always the same but the methods of accessing the menus and dedicated functions change, as each manufacturer adopts a different operating system for their devices. For example, almost all LG- branded TVs are equipped with the WebOS operating system; for Samsung, however, the operating system is almost always Tizen.

Manufacturers such as Sony, Philips, HiSense, TCL and others, on the other hand, use the Android operating system. Usually, those belonging to the medium-low range of the market install on their devices a readjusted and slightly modified version of the “green robot” (which often has no certifications and therefore does not allow them to fully enjoy the contents of apps such as Netflix or Infinity + ), while the most * noble * ones use the official Google TV operating system (formerly Android TV), released and managed directly by “Big G”.

In any case, before you can install an application, you must connect the TV to the Internet: generally, this operation can be completed during the initial configuration phase of the device, or by accessing the specific section of the settings menu of the device. TV, generally referred to as Network, Connection, Internet or similar.

In this regard, my guide on how to connect the TV to Wi-Fi could be very useful, in which I have provided you with valuable explanations on the subject.

Once the connection to the Internet has been established, use the Home button on the remote control (usually depicting a house ) to display the Smart menu on the TV, open the store integrated into the device and use the search function to find the application you want to obtain. When you have found it, select it with the OK button on the remote control and press the Download / Install / Install button to start the download.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned a little while ago, I cannot be more precise about the precise steps to be taken, as each Smart TV could have a different procedure; however, in the following chapters of this guide, I am going to explain in detail how to act on the devices produced by some well-known big names in the sector: Samsung, LG, Philips and Sony.

How to install apps on Samsung Smart TVs

As for Samsung- branded Smart TVs, the procedure to follow to establish the Internet connection is as follows: first, press the Home button (shaped like a house ) or Smart Hub (shaped like a colored prism ) on the remote control, to call up the main menu.

Now, using the arrow keys or the joystick on the remote control, select the Settings button which generally resides at the bottom left, press the OK / Enter key on the remote control and, in the same way, open the General> Network> Open network settings sections from the panel that appears on the screen.

Now, choose whether to establish the connection wirelessly or with cable and follow the indications that best suit your choice: in the first case, you must select the Wi-Fi network to connect to, press the OK / Enter button on the remote control and then, enter the network key using the keyboard that appears on the screen.

If, on the other hand, you have chosen to establish the connection via cable, make sure that both ends of the Ethernet cable are correctly connected to the TV and to the router, give OK and wait for the receipt of the message indicating the connection has been made.

Once the connection is established, if necessary, accept the conditions of use of the Samsung operating system by pressing the appropriate button and complete any available updates.

Now you are ready to download the applications you want: bring up the main menu of the TV again by pressing the Home / Smart Hub button on the remote control, select the Apps button that appears on the TV and click OK.

Then, use the proposed categories to find the application to download on the TV, or press the magnifying glass symbol to search for an app by its name; once you have identified the element of your interest, select its preview with the remote control, click OK, select the Install button and, to start downloading the application, click OK again.

Once the installation is complete, you can start the app immediately by pressing the Open button or add its icon to the quick links, by pressing the Add to home page button instead. For more information, you can read my specific tutorial on how to download apps on Samsung Smart TVs.

In case of problems

Are you unable to complete the above as you cannot access the Apps section of the TV? In this case, try to check that the software is updated to the latest version available: go to the Settings> Support> Software update menu and complete any available updates.

If you continue to encounter problems, I invite you to read the tutorials on the Samsung website, often resolving: therefore connected to this website, press the TV button and use the search bar located at the top to search, in the online help, any solutions to the problem you are having.

Alternatively, you can get in direct contact with Samsung technical support, by filling out the form on this page , using the live chat service (active from 9:00 to 19:00, 7 days a week) or by calling the number 800 7267864 (active every day from 09:00 to 19:00).

I recommend that you write down the serial number of the TV in advance, which can be seen on the label affixed to the back of the device or via the menu Settings> Support> Contact Samsung / About this TV of the device, as it may be required by the operator that will provide you with assistance.

How to install apps on LG Smart TV

Before you can proceed with the installation of apps on LG Smart TVs, you must necessarily connect the TV to the Internet, if you have not already done so.

So, first of all, press the quick settings button on the remote control (the one with the symbol of a gear ), select the item (⋮) All settings from the menu that appears on the screen and then press the OK button on the remote control.

Now, still using the remote control, go to the Network section located in the panel that appears overlay, indicate whether to use the Wired (Ethernet) or Wi-Fi connection and OK: in the first case, check that the network cable is correctly connected to both the router and the TV and wait for the connection to be established.

In the second case, you must instead choose the wireless network to connect to and, subsequently, enter the network key in the appropriate field, using the keyboard that appears on the screen. Once this is done, press the Connect button and wait for the connection to complete.

At this point, you are ready to download applications from the market integrated into the TV and called LG Content Store: first, press the Home button on the remote control (the one in the shape of a house ), select the LG Content Store button (in the shape of a of shopping bag ) from the menu that appears on the screen and OK.

Now, use the icons displayed above to browse the store by category (from left to right: all apps, recommended apps and games), or use the magnifying glass symbol to search for the name of the application you are interested in. When you have found it, select the corresponding box, click OK and press the Installation button to start the download; to open a downloaded application, press the Launch button instead.

Please note that, once installation is complete, the icons of the downloaded applications are automatically added to the Home menu of the TV and can be started from there. If you have any doubts about the procedures described in this section, you can consult my tutorial on how to download apps on LG Smart TVs, in which I have explained everything to you in great detail.

In case of problems

If you encounter any problems during the setup phase of the TV and are unable to solve them on your own, I recommend that you contact LG support directly.

You can do this in different ways: by email, by filling out the form available on this page; using the live chat and requesting the direct support of an operator (service available from Monday to Friday, from 09:30 to 17:00); or by calling 199 600 099 (service available from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00 and on Saturdays from 09:00 to 13:00, excluding holidays), with a maximum rate of 11.88 cents / min + VAT, variable based on the costs applied by your telephone operator.

If your TV is covered by the LG Premium Care formula, you can also call the toll-free number 800 978 866 from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00, or on Saturdays from 09:00 to 13:00, including holidays.

Regardless of the contact method you choose, you will need to indicate the code of the TV in your possession, visible on the label affixed to the back of the device or accessible through the Settings> General> About TV on WebOS menu.

How to install apps on Philips Smart TV

Before you can install applications on a Philips Smart TV , you must first connect the device to the Internet, if you have not already done so. So, to start, press the Settings / Settings button on the remote control (the one with the symbol of a gear ) and use the directional arrows and the OK / Enter button to enter the Wireless and networks> Wired or Wi-Fi> Connect to sections. network.

Now, if you intend to establish a connection to a wireless network, select the Wireless item, indicate the name of the network to connect to from those available, click OK and enter, using the keyboard that appears on the screen, the access key for the selected Wi-Fi network. Finally, press the OK button and wait for the TV to notify you that the Internet connection has been made. More info here.

If, on the other hand, you intend to establish the connection via cable, all you have to do is insert the two ends of the latter to the appropriate inputs located on the back of the router and the TV, and then select the Wired item and wait for the connection to be established. If necessary, accept the Google TV / Android TV terms of use, log in with your Google account and complete any available updates.

To download and install an application, press the Home button on the remote control, select the Google Play Store icon from those visible on the screen and click OK; now, use the Google market exactly as you would on any Android device, using the proposed categories or the appropriate search function, accessible by pressing the magnifying glass symbol located at the top.

Once you have found the application of your interest, highlight its preview, give OK with the remote control and press the Install button, to start the download and installation. To find out more, I refer you to reading my guide on how to download apps on Philips Smart TVs.

In case of problems

Although you have slavishly followed the instructions I have given you previously, have you not managed to get the desired result? In this case, my advice is to contact the official support of the Dutch company and expose your exact problem to an insider.

In this regard, you have several options to proceed, all available in the dedicated contact page: by email, via live chat or by calling 039 9685709, from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 20:00. In all likelihood, you will be asked to specify the serial number of the TV, which you can find printed on the label affixed to the back of the device, or in the Help> Contact Info section of Android.

How to install apps on Sony Smart TVs

The same “rules” seen in the previous chapters of this tutorial also apply to Sony Smart TVs: you must first connect the TV to the Internet, if this has not been done previously, and then access the Google TV / Android Play Store TV and download the applications you want from there.

So, first of all, press the Home button on the remote control and use the directional arrows to choose the Settings item from the panel that appears on the screen or, alternatively, press the Quick Settings button on the remote control (the one with the symbol of a gear ). I point out right away that the menu items on your TV may differ slightly from what is explained below, depending on the model of Google TV / Android TV present on the same.

In any case, once the TV settings are open, press the OK button on the remote control and, following a similar procedure, access the Network sections (generally located in the Network and accessories box ) and Network settings. Now, press the Simple button and, if you intend to establish the connection via cable, make sure that both ends of the same are correctly connected to the router and the TV and press the Wired LAN button.

If, on the other hand, you want to connect wirelessly, press the Wi-Fi button, then the Scan item and wait for the available wireless networks to appear on the screen. Now, click on the name of the connection you are interested in and use the on-screen keyboard to enter the relevant network key. When the connection is complete, you should see a confirmation message directly on the TV screen.

On newer versions of Google TV, the path to follow to connect in Wi-Fi mode is Settings> Network & Internet.

Finally we are there: now press the Home button on the remote control, go to the Applications section and select the Google Play Store icon, present inside it; if prompted, log in with your Google account, accept the Play Store conditions of use by pressing the appropriate button and use the magnifying glass symbol to locate the app you are interested in.

If you have a modern Sony Bravia TV, you can also use the Search function located in the Home menu and type or speak, when prompted, the instruction search application [application name]

When you have found it, you just have to proceed as you would on any other Android device, first pressing the Install button to download the app and then click Open to start it.

In case of problems

Are you unable to complete the download of one or more applications through the Play Store? In this case, I recommend that you contact Sony technical support directly, using one of the communication channels available from the Japanese manufacturer.

If you prefer to speak verbally to an insider, you must call 02 69682104 (active from Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 18:00) by pressing, when requested, the dedicated button for support for TV, Smart TV and projectors (usually number 1 ).

If, on the other hand, you prefer to receive support via email, you can use the contact form available on the Sony website: indicate that you wish to receive support for TVs and projectors, indicate the family / category of the TV in your possession (e.g. Android TV BRAVIA OLED ) and, if necessary, specify the model and serial number of the device, which you can find in the Android System Information menu (accessible by pressing the Help button ) or on the label affixed to the back of the TV.