The Best Smart TV Apps for Samsung

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There are many things that separate a Smart TV from a regular one. Internet access is often the first thing that comes to people’s minds but what’s more important than that is what is done with that online access. Smart TVs are like smartphones, but bigger. They display your gaming, Blu-Ray collection or your satellite service, and they can be a receptacle for a wide variety of downloadable apps.

Samsung is with no doubt one of the leading proponents of the Smart TV industry. They arguably produce the best televisions on the market today, perhaps ever, and just as they push boundaries with hardware they do so with software as well. The Samsung Smart Hub is like the app store for your Samsung TV model. Many of the apps there are just waiting to be discovered so that your TV experience can be better tailored and customized to your needs. Below we will discuss the best and most essential app additions to your Samsung Smart TV experience.

How To Download Apps on Samsung Smart TV

Adding apps to your Samsung Smart Television is very easy. First you’ll want to press the Home button on your remote control in case you aren’t already at the main menu. Now locate the Apps menu and click on that. Find whatever app you want either by searching for it by name or by category. Select the Install button to begin downloading your app and it will be saved onto your Smart TV.

How to Install 3rd Party apps on Samsung Smart TV

The first thing you’ll need to do is head over to your Smart TV’s Settings menu. Then go to Security. Under the tab called “Unknown Sources” you’ll have to check this box so that 3rd party downloads will be accepted. Now all you need to do is locate your 3rd party applications from either the Play Store or other sources such as apk files.

How to Update Apps on Samsung Smart TV

To update all of your Smart TV apps at once just head over to the main menu by pressing the home button. Then go to the Apps menu. Next, select Options and then go to Auto Update. Set this feature to “On.” Now, any apps that have future updates will automatically receive them as soon as possible.

How to uninstall Apps on Samsung Smart TV

To delete an app from your Samsung TV, you must first locate that app in the Apps menu. Once you have highlighted the app in question, hold down the center button of the navigation pad. After a couple of seconds, a menu will pop up with several options. Simply select “Delete” and that app will be removed instantly.

Samsung Smart TV Apps Not Working

One solution to this issue that has worked for many is a little out of the box but still seems to get results. First go into System, then Setup, then Enter your PIN. Keep on scrolling until you reach the Smart Hub Terms and Conditions page. Next you will want to press the buttons on your remote control in this specific order in order to trigger the next sequence: Mute, Return, Volume Up, Channel Up, Mute. Now you have begun the initial settings sequence.

This next step is the most important as it is what seems to solve the issue: select a country of residence that is not the United States. The apps of the Samsung Smart Hub will go through a reboot process only if you select another country. After that, continue through the rest of the steps of the process. When done, the apps should be back to normal.

Some apps may not be available on older Smart TV models, but all of the apps we list will be compatible with newer and up to date models.

Youtube

Youtube is essential for many reasons, some are obvious and some not so much. Youtube is an everlasting database of free content that receives thousands of new videos every hour. It is still a great place to go to see music videos, movie clips, or even find out independent news sources on entertainment or world events. Everyone goes on Youtube for something, whether its comedy, podcasts, music, or something else, so you probably are already thinking to yourself that this choice is a no-brainer.

While this is true, we think it is important for Smart TV owners to download the Youtube app because of its massive 4K library. Odds are if you have a Samsung Smart TV, it’s probably a 4K Ultra High Definition model. And the fact of the matter is, there is no place with a 4K database that rivals Youtube. We believe that without this app you simply won’t be getting the most bang for your buck if you have a 4K Smart TV. Nature docs, music videos and especially gaming vlogs are always getting more 4K content.

We also have to mention that Samsung has made the transition rather seamless. Sync up your Google Plus account and all of your Youtube history and subscriptions will transfer over.

Netflix

This one is probably the biggest no-brainer on the list, with Youtube being a close second place. Like Youtube, the Netflix database is absolutely huge and features more shows and movies than any one single human lifetime would ever need.

And like Youtube, Netflix offers some 4K programs though you will have to upgrade your subscription plan to access this higher quality resolution. You can search what programs or movies they have available in 4K and decide for yourself based on your own taste if that is an option worth considering.

Netflix is so popular that believe it or not it may already be pre-installed onto your Samsung Smart TV. If you have a newer model then the odds are you already have it. Simply sign in using your email address and have fun.

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Video is an on-demand streaming service meant to compete with the likes of Hulu and Netflix. While it doesn’t have the large database of Netflix, it does have some exclusive content that may cater to you. There’s also the added bonus of being able to sync up your Alexa or any other Amazon Prime benefits if you have them.

Playstation Now

PS Now is Sony’s streaming service for their gaming hardware. PS Now is compatible with Playstation 3 and 4, as well as Playstation Vita, their portable gaming device. The way it works is that with a subscription to this service you can play games without physically or even digitally owning them. You simply select from a database not unlike Netflix and the game itself is streamed to your TV set from Sony’s servers at a different location. It’s like Blockbuster of the future.

Input latency lag, a delay between your button presses and the action on screen, may occur if your internet speed isn’t top of the line, much like streaming large 4K files. Only consider this option if you use a wired ethernet connection to avoid data drops.

Spotify

If you listen to a lot of music, then consider getting a Spotify account for your television set. Your Smart TV can become a personalized home music theater once it has access to the over 30 million tracks that are a part of the Spotify database. Having games and movies on your TV is one thing but people often neglect the convenience of being able to blast any tunes you want from loud and powerful speakers, not to mention being able to select and organize these songs in a convenient and intuitive fashion.

Below is tablature data on all the variety of video apps available for Samsung Smart TVs. Use these charts to gain some insight into what is truly available from the Smart Hub.

The sports apps may be video streaming based or just present data or scoreboard.

In Conclusion

Samsung’s Smart Hub is, when it comes down to it, a database of databases. These few apps are easily some of the best and most popular but there are always more new applications to discover to better improve your Smart TV’s evolution. We hope these all serve as a great jumping off point and help you discover even more new additions to your home theater.