How to Search for Apps on Samsung Smart TV: 4 Easy Steps

Follow these 4 steps on how to search for apps on Samsung Smart TV so you go from a confusing Smart Hub to quickly finding the exact apps you want in seconds.​

How to search for apps on Samsung Smart TV: Quick version

Step 1: Open the Home screen and go to Apps

Starting from the Home screen keeps everything consistent when searching for apps on a Samsung Smart TV, no matter which model or year you own.

Do this first:

• Press the Home button on your Samsung remote to open Smart Hub or the main Home menu.
• Wait for the bottom app row or the top Apps tab to appear, so you know the TV is fully loaded and online.
• From the Home screen, highlight and select Apps (either a tile on the bottom row or an Apps tab near the top, depending on your model).

When helping friends, I always start here so we all see the same layout before hunting for anything in the app store.

Step 2: Open the app search tool and find your app

Searching for apps on a Samsung Smart TV usually means using the search icon or search sidebar. The search icon is inside Apps, or use the universal Search bar on the left sidebar when the icon is missing.

Follow this rhythm:

1. In the Apps screen, look for a magnifying glass icon labeled Search in the top‑right corner and select it.
2. When your Apps screen does not show a search bar, press Home, move to the far left side menu, and select the Search option just under your Samsung account profile.
3. Once the search tool opens, you move from scrolling through endless tiles to targeting exactly what you want by name or keyword.
4. Use the directional pad on your remote to enter the app name in the on‑screen keyboard, such as “Netflix,” “Plex,” or “Weekend.”
5. Confirm the search and scroll through the results list, then highlight the exact app tile that matches the logo and name you expect.

When I search, I always glance at the developer line on the app card so I can avoid look‑alikes that mimic popular streaming or game apps.

Step 3: Open the app page, install, and launch

The app’s detail page is where you confirm you have the right app, install it if you do not have it already, and launch it immediately.

Handle this part like a mini checklist:

• Select the app from the search results to open its information page, where you see screenshots, a description, and an Install or Open button.
• Choose Install to download the app, then select Open or press Home and pick the app from your list once the install finishes.

From there, most apps ask you to sign in or create an account on first launch, so I keep my login details nearby before I start app hunts for the household.

Step 4: Add the app to your Home screen and fix issues

Newly searched apps can feel “lost” if they only live inside the Apps section. Pinning them to the Home screen keeps your favorite finds within a couple of clicks and makes problems easier to spot.

Use this short routine:

• From the Apps screen, highlight your app, open Settings or the options menu (often a gear icon), and select Add to Home.
• On the Home screen, move the app tile left or right so your most‑used streaming and game apps sit near the front of the row.

On my own Samsung TV, I group everyday streaming apps first, then game and party apps, followed by niche tools I only open once in a while.

• When “how to search for apps” turns into “why can’t this thing find anything,” confirm the TV is online, then power‑cycle it or perform a soft reset, and check for the latest software updates in Settings > Support or Device Care.
• When the in‑store search icon is gone, use the universal Search on the left sidebar, sign into your Samsung account again, or reset Smart Hub to restore missing app‑store features.

Why searching smart beats scrolling

Learning how to search for apps on Samsung Smart TV turns a slow, tile‑scrolling chore into a fast routine that takes under a minute once the steps feel natural.​​

In everyday use, that means:

• You spend less time guessing which row hides the app you want and more time actually watching or playing.​​
• You keep your Home screen focused on the apps you actually use, instead of burying favorites under default recommendations and clutter.​

On family setups, this habit cuts down on “Where did you put Weekend?” questions, because everyone knows they can search, pin, and relaunch the same way.

Search for Weekend on your Samsung Smart TV

Once you know how to search for apps on a Samsung Smart TV, you can add apps that turn a normal evening into a game night in minutes.

Installing a game hub like Weekend lets you jump from a show into fast quiz shows and music challenges without extra controllers.

We also offer family‑friendly games that everyone can join with very little trouble. Add Weekend alongside your other Samsung apps to keep things balanced between watching and playing together.

What you can expect from Weekend:

• Jeopardy! turns your Samsung TV into a classic quiz board where you race family and friends to the right response.
• Wit’s End turns your TV into a voice-powered fantasy adventure with an AI game master that builds entire stories around you.
• Song Quiz plays short song clips and challenges everyone to name the artist and title before the timer runs out.
• CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ brings JJ to the big screen so kids can sing, move, and practice simple skills together in a playful space.

Try Weekend on your Samsung Smart TV with a 7‑day free trial and see how fast your TV shifts from background noise to the center of game night.

FAQs​

Why can’t I find the Search icon in the Samsung Apps screen?

You can’t find the Search icon in the Samsung Apps screen because newer Samsung menus move app search to the Home sidebar Search instead. I use that universal Search to grab apps like Weekend in a couple of clicks.​

How do I search for apps on an older Samsung Smart TV?

You search for apps on an older Samsung Smart TV by pressing Home, opening Smart Hub or Apps, and using the magnifying glass to type the app name. I still use this flow on older sets when I want to install Weekend.​

What should I do when a searched app does not appear at all?

When a searched app does not appear at all, you check Wi‑Fi, update the TV software, and confirm the app supports your region and Tizen version. I ran through this list before deciding that a Samsung TV cannot install that app.​

How can I download the Weekend app on my Samsung Smart TV?

You can download the Weekend app on your Samsung Smart TV by opening Apps, using Search to type “Weekend,” selecting the Weekend app, and choosing Install. I then pin Weekend near my streaming apps, so starting Jeopardy! or Song Quiz is fast.