Install Third-Party Apps on Samsung Smart TV

This guide shows you how to install apps on your Samsung Smart TV that aren’t available in the official Samsung App Store. This lets you add streaming services, media players, and other tools that Samsung hasn’t included by default. You’ll need your TV’s model number and a computer or smartphone on the same Wi-Fi network.

What You’ll Need

A Samsung Smart TV (2016 model or newer works best; older models may not support this method)
The TV’s model code (find it in Settings > Support > About This TV, or on the label on the back)
A computer, smartphone, or tablet with a web browser
Both the TV and your device connected to the same Wi-Fi network
The APK file of the app you want to install (downloaded from a trusted source)

Step-by-Step

Find your TV’s model code. Go to Settings > Support > About This TV on your Samsung TV. Write down the full model code (e.g., UN55MU6300F). You’ll need this for the next step.
Enable Developer Mode on the TV. On your TV remote, press the Home button, then navigate to Apps. In the Apps screen, press the Left arrow button on your remote five times in a row. A hidden menu should appear. Select Developer Mode and turn it On. The TV will ask you to enter a developer IP address – you can leave this blank for now and just press OK. The TV will restart.
Get your TV’s IP address. After the restart, go to Settings > Network > Network Status (or About This TV again). Note the IP address shown (e.g., 192.168.1.42).
Open the Samsung Developer Mode website. On your computer or phone, open a web browser and go to http://YOUR_TV_IP_ADDRESS:8001. For example, if your TV’s IP is 192.168.1.42, type http://192.168.1.42:8001 into the address bar. You should see a simple page titled “Samsung Smart TV” with a few options.
Enter your TV’s model code. On that web page, you’ll see a field asking for the model code. Enter the full model code you wrote down in Step 1. Then click Save or Submit. The page should confirm that the model code was saved.
Download the app’s APK file. On your computer or phone, download the APK file for the app you want to install. Make sure you download the correct version for your TV’s processor (most Samsung TVs use ARM architecture). A reliable source is the official website of the app developer, or a well-known APK mirror site.
Upload the APK to your TV. Go back to the Developer Mode web page (the one from Step 4). Look for a section called App Upload or Install App. Click the Choose File button and select the APK file you downloaded. Then click Upload or Install. The page will show a progress bar while the file transfers to your TV.
Wait for the installation to finish. Once the upload is complete, the web page will show a success message. Your TV may also display a notification. Give it a minute or two to finish installing the app internally.
Find and launch the app. Press the Home button on your remote, then go to Apps. You should see the newly installed app in the app list, often under a section called My Apps or at the end of the list. Select it to launch it. If you don’t see it immediately, try restarting the TV.
Turn off Developer Mode (optional but recommended). Once the app is installed and working, you can turn Developer Mode back off by repeating Step 2 and toggling it to Off. This helps keep the TV stable. Note that some apps may stop working if Developer Mode is off, so test the app first before disabling it.

Common Mistakes

Wrong model code. Entering an incorrect or incomplete model code (like just “UN55” instead of “UN55MU6300F”) will cause the upload to fail or the app to be incompatible.
Using the wrong APK version. Downloading an APK meant for a phone or for a different TV brand will not work. Make sure the APK is designed for Samsung Tizen OS (usually labeled as “TV” or “Samsung” in the filename).
Not being on the same network. If your computer and TV are on different Wi-Fi bands (e.g., one on 2.4GHz, the other on 5GHz), the browser page may not load. Connect both to the same band.
Skipping the hidden menu. Pressing the left arrow four times instead of five, or pressing it too slowly, will not open the Developer Mode menu. Press it five times quickly and consistently.
Uploading a huge APK. The Developer Mode tool has a file size limit (usually around 100 MB). If your APK is larger, it will fail to upload. Look for a smaller or “lite” version of the app.

Tips

Back up your APK files. Keep a copy of the APKs you install on your computer. If you reset your TV, you can reinstall them without searching again.
Use a wired connection for large files. If your Wi-Fi is slow, connect the TV to your router with an Ethernet cable temporarily for faster uploads.
Check app compatibility. Before downloading, search online for “[app name] Samsung Tizen APK” to confirm it exists and works on your TV model. Not all Android apps are compatible with Tizen.
Keep Developer Mode off when not needed. Leaving it on can cause the TV to behave oddly or slow down. Turn it off after you’ve installed everything you need.
Restart the TV after installing. A quick restart (unplug for 30 seconds) often helps the TV recognize the new app and refresh its app list.

Troubleshooting

The web page at port 8001 won’t load. First, double-check the IP address by looking at the TV’s network settings again. Make sure Developer Mode is still on (repeat Step 2 if needed). Try a different browser (Chrome or Firefox). If it still fails, restart both the TV and your computer, then try again.
The upload fails with an error. This usually means the APK is too large, the model code is wrong, or the file is corrupted. Re-download the APK from a different source, verify the model code, and try a smaller file.
The app installs but won’t open. The app may be incompatible with your TV’s firmware version. Check if there’s a newer version of the APK, or look for a different app that does the same thing. Updating your TV’s firmware (Settings > Support > Software Update) can also help.
The app disappears after restarting the TV. This happens if Developer Mode is turned off. Re-enable Developer Mode, reinstall the app, and test it. If it works with Developer Mode on, you may need to leave it on permanently for that app.
No apps appear in the Apps list. Sometimes the TV needs a moment to scan for new apps. Go to the Apps screen, press the Options button on your remote, and select Update Apps. If that doesn’t work, restart the TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this legal and safe?

Installing third-party apps is generally allowed by Samsung’s developer tools, but it voids your warranty and can expose your TV to security risks if you install malicious APKs. Only install apps from trusted sources.

Will this work on any Samsung TV?

No. This method works on most 2016–2021 Samsung Smart TVs running Tizen OS. Very old models (pre-2016) and the newest 2023+ models may have different security that blocks this method.

Can I install Android apps like on a phone?

Not directly. Samsung TVs use Tizen OS, not Android. You need APK files specifically compiled for Tizen. Most phone APKs will not work.

Why do I need the model code?

The model code tells the TV which firmware and hardware you have, so it can correctly handle the APK installation. Entering the wrong code can cause errors.

What if I can’t find the Developer Mode menu?

Make sure you’re on the Apps screen (not the Home screen) and press the left arrow button on the circular pad five times quickly. If it doesn’t work, try pressing it six times, or press the left arrow then the up arrow in a specific sequence (some models use left, left, up, right, down).

Can I uninstall a third-party app later?

Yes. Go to Settings > Support > Device Care > Manage Storage (or Apps), find the app, and select Delete. This works just like uninstalling a normal app.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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