Yes, the Apple TV app is available on many Samsung TVs from 2018 onward; older sets can use a streaming device.
Wondering if your screen can run the Apple TV app natively? The short answer: many recent Samsung models include it, and setup takes minutes. This guide shows which model years are compatible, how to check your exact TV, and easy fallback options if the tile is missing. You’ll also see clear steps for signing in, picture tips, and fixes when the icon won’t open.
Apple TV On Samsung TVs: What Works Today
Compatibility depends on the model year and series. Recent QLED, UHD, Lifestyle sets, The Frame, The Serif, and The Sero usually include the app in the Apps pane. Some earlier models added it through firmware. Older Smart Hub sets won’t get it, but you can still watch through a plug-in player.
Fast Compatibility Check
Grab your remote. Press Home, open Apps, and search “Apple TV.” If the tile appears or auto-installs, your TV is compatible. If it never shows, even after a firmware update, your model isn’t on the list. In that case, skip to the streaming-stick section below.
Supported Samsung Lineup At A Glance
The table below summarizes compatibility by broad year groups and series. Exact availability varies by region and firmware.
| Model Years | Series / Types | How You Get The App |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | QLED 4K Q series; UHD 6/7/8; The Frame | Preinstalled in Apps or added via update |
| 2018–2019 | Select Smart TVs; QLED 4K & 8K; Lifestyle; The Serif; The Sero | Preinstalled in Apps |
| 2020–2021 | Most mid-to-upper 4K/8K; The Frame; The Premiere projector | Preinstalled in Apps |
| 2022–2024 | Current Smart TV lineup incl. Lifestyle models | Preinstalled in Apps |
Find Out If Your Exact TV Works With The App
You can confirm in three ways: check the Apps store, check the model code, or look up Apple’s device list. The Apps store method is fastest. For the model code method, press Home > Settings > About This TV. Match the year and series against the lists on Apple’s page.
Where Apple And Samsung Document Compatibility
Apple maintains a running devices list for the Apple TV app with specific Samsung series and years. Samsung’s help page also explains that select 2018–2024 TVs and Lifestyle sets include the app in the Apps section, and that missing tiles mean the model isn’t compatible; see how to use the Apple TV app on Samsung TVs.
If The Tile Is Missing
Older models and some budget lines won’t offer the app. No problem—an HDMI streaming player solves this in minutes and keeps your TV current for years. Pick Apple TV, Roku, Google TV, or Fire TV. Plug it in, connect Wi-Fi, and sign in to the Apple TV app there.
Set Up The App On A Compatible Samsung TV
Setup is quick. You’ll sign in with an Apple ID, enable purchases if you rent or buy movies, and choose whether to share viewing history with Apple’s recommendations. Parental controls and single-sign-on are available in Settings.
Step-By-Step
- Press Home on the remote and open Apps.
- Select the Apple TV tile. If prompted, choose Install.
- Open the app. Pick Sign In and scan the QR code with your phone, or enter your Apple ID.
- Decide if you want purchases and rentals on this TV. Confirm your region.
- Link your subscriptions. Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass are available inside the app.
- Finish setup and pin the app to your home bar for faster access.
Tips For Picture And Sound
Turn on HDR or HDR10+ if your set allows it. Choose Film or Movie picture mode for accurate color. Disable over-aggressive motion smoothing for movies. If you use a soundbar, set audio output to external and enable eARC when available.
Don’t See The App? Use A Streaming Stick
A small HDMI player brings the same service to any HDTV. Apple’s own box gives the smoothest Apple TV app experience and the broadest codec range, but Roku, Google TV, and Fire TV play it well too. This is the easiest path for 2015–2016 Samsung models and sets that never received the app.
Best Ways To Watch Without Built-In Compatibility
Here are the common paths and when to pick each one.
| Approach | Upside | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV 4K | Fast UI; AirPlay; Dolby Vision/Atmos; long update life | Movie fans; smart-home users |
| Roku / Google TV / Fire TV | Low cost; simple setup; wide app catalog | Older sets; extra rooms |
| AirPlay 2 casting | No extra box when built in | Quick sharing from iPhone or Mac |
Fix It When The App Won’t Open Or Play
Streaming apps sometimes hang or throw an error after a power cut, a network change, or a server outage. Run through this quick list. In most cases you’ll be watching again in a few minutes.
Quick Troubleshooting Checklist
- Soft-reset the TV: Hold the remote’s Power button until the screen cycles off and back on. This flushes cached app data and often clears launch errors.
- Check the network: Run the built-in network test. Aim for 15–25 Mbps or more for 4K streaming.
- Update firmware: Settings > Software Update. New firmware can fix app crashes and restore missing tiles.
- Reinstall the app: From Apps, select the Apple TV tile, open options, and reinstall.
- Power-cycle the router: Unplug for 20 seconds and reconnect.
- Try another profile: If playback fails on one account, test another to isolate a billing or region issue.
AirPlay 2 As A Backup
Many Samsung models also include AirPlay 2. That lets you start a show on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac and send it to the TV. Open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring or the AirPlay icon, and pick your set. If the feature is missing, your TV may be too old, or the option is off in Settings.
Buying Advice If You’re Upgrading
If you’re shopping for a new screen and you care about the Apple TV app, pick a current mid-range or better Samsung model. Pick a 120 Hz panel if you watch sports, look for HDR10+, and plan for eARC if you use a soundbar. Expect the app to be pinned in the Apps bar from day one.
Why The App Isn’t On Every TV
App makers target model lines that can handle modern DRM, 4K codecs, and ongoing security updates. That is why older Smart Hub platforms stop receiving new apps over time. A small streaming device bypasses those limits and brings new features to older rooms without replacing the panel.
Sign-In And Purchases
You can sign in two ways: scan the QR code with your phone or enter your Apple ID with the on-screen keyboard. The QR route is faster and avoids typos. After sign-in, the Store tab lets you rent or buy movies in 4K HDR when offered. If you just want Apple TV+, open the TV+ tab and start your trial or monthly plan. Apple documents both flows here: get the Apple TV app.
Parental Controls And Profiles
Open Settings inside the app to set content ratings, block purchases without a PIN, and limit playback to a specific profile. Families can create separate profiles so watchlists don’t collide. If a kid profile can’t play a title, check the rating setting and your region. Some movies have different ratings by country, which can hide a title even when it appears on another device at home.
Region And Account Tips
Tiles, channels, and prices vary by country. If you moved regions, sign out on the TV, change the region on your Apple ID account, and sign in again. Renting and buying movies works with just the TV and an Apple ID; you don’t need another Apple device. If you run into a purchase block, add a valid payment method to your Apple ID and try again.