Add Channels on Apple TV: A Simple Walkthrough
There are two ways to add channels on Apple TV, and knowing which one you want saves a lot of clicking.
To add channels on Apple TV, open the App Store to install a streaming app, or open the Apple TV app and subscribe to a channel that plays right inside it.
The first method puts a new app icon on your Home Screen. The second adds a paid channel you watch without a separate app.
This walkthrough covers both on the current Apple TV 4K running tvOS 26, plus how to rearrange or remove what you add and what to check when something will not show up.
What does “adding a channel” actually mean on Apple TV?
Apple uses “channel” in two different spots, so the word gets confusing.
One meaning is a streaming app, like a service you install from the App Store. That app becomes its own icon.
The other meaning is an Apple TV channel, a subscription you buy inside the Apple TV app. It plays in that app with no extra download.
Here is the quick difference before the steps.
| Feature | Streaming apps | Apple TV channels |
|---|---|---|
| Where you get it | App Store | Apple TV app, Store |
| Where it lives | Own Home Screen icon | Inside the Apple TV app |
| Separate download | Yes | No |
| Best for | Full services with their own login | Premium add ons you want in one place |
How do you install streaming apps from the App Store?
This is the route for services that have their own app and sign in.
- Press the Home button on your remote to reach the Home Screen.
- Open the App Store icon. The screen shows featured apps, categories, and a Search tab.
- Select Search, then type the name of the app you want, or ask Siri to find it.
- Open the app from the results. You’ll see its details page with a price or a Get button.
- Select Buy for a paid app or Get for a free app. Downloading starts, and a progress ring appears.
- When the button changes to Open, the app is installed. Its icon is now on your Home Screen.
Two labels can trip you up. If you see Install instead of Get, you already own that app and can download it again at no charge.
If you see Open, the app is already on this Apple TV.
Many services ask you to sign in or set up an account the first time you open the app. Follow the onscreen prompts, and use another device to enter long passwords if that helps.
New to the box and still setting things up? Our guide on getting your Apple TV online covers the WiFi step that has to happen before any download works.
How do you subscribe to channels in the Apple TV app?
Apple TV channels are premium subscriptions you buy inside one app and watch on demand. There is no second app to install.
- Open the Apple TV app from your Home Screen.
- Open the sidebar, then select Store. The screen shows rows of movies, shows, and channels.
- Scroll down to the row labeled Add Channels & Apps.
- Open a channel you want. Its page shows the price and what is included.
- Choose the Subscribe button, or Try It Free if a trial is offered.
- Enter your Apple Account and password to confirm. You can review the trial length, monthly price, and renewal terms before you commit.
Once the subscription is active, you watch it without leaving the Apple TV app.
- Open the Apple TV app, then open the sidebar and select Home.
- Scroll to the Channels & Apps row.
- Open the channel and pick something to play.
Your channel also follows your Apple Account to other devices signed in to the Apple TV app, so the same subscription plays on an iPhone or a smart TV.
How do you rearrange or remove apps and channels?
Once a few icons pile up, you can tidy the Home Screen.
To move an app:
- Navigate to the app on the Home Screen, then press and hold the clickpad or touch surface on your remote.
- Select Edit Home Screen. The icons start to jiggle.
- Drag the app to the spot you want, then press the center of the clickpad to save.
Put your most used apps on the top row so you get a live preview when they are highlighted. If you want a refresher on moving around the interface, see how the Apple TV main menu is laid out.
To remove an app you installed:
- Navigate to the app, then press and hold the clickpad or touch surface.
- Select Delete App.
- Choose Delete to remove it and its data, or Offload to clear it while keeping its data for later.
To cancel an Apple TV channel, open Settings, go to Profiles and Accounts, then Subscriptions, and manage the channel there. Canceling stops future billing but keeps access until the paid period ends.
Why is an app or channel missing?
When something you expect is not there, three checks fix most cases.
First, region. Not all apps and channels are available in every country, and the App Store shows what your Apple Account region allows.
Second, sign in. Some services need an active account or a cable login before their content appears, even after the app installs.
Third, software. An old tvOS version can hide newer apps. Open Settings, go to System, then Software Updates, and select Update Software if one is offered.
If an app still will not download, restart the Apple TV from Settings, then try again on a stable connection. Setting up on an older set? Our notes on using Apple TV with a non smart TV and on turning on an LG TV with Apple TV can help clear up input problems that look like app problems.
Frequently asked questions
Do Apple TV channels cost extra?
Yes. Each channel is its own paid subscription, billed to your Apple Account. Many offer a free trial first, and you see the price before you confirm.
Can you add channels without installing apps?
Yes, that is the point of Apple TV channels. You subscribe in the Apple TV app and watch inside it, with no separate download.
Are apps free to download on Apple TV?
The app itself is usually free to install. The service behind it, like a streaming plan, may still require a paid subscription to watch anything.
How do you find a channel that is not showing up?
Use Search in the App Store for a full app, or the Store in the Apple TV app for a channel. If it is still missing, check your Apple Account region and update tvOS.
Does adding a channel put an icon on the Home Screen?
A streaming app does. An Apple TV channel does not, since it plays inside the Apple TV app.