How to get apple tv on my samsung tv

Some TV owners may run into an issue with their older Samsung TVs that involves having a hard time getting the Apple TV app to download. This is an issue of compatibility when it comes to older Samsung models.

In this article, you’ll learn how to learn how you can still access your Apple TV favorites from your older Samsung TV. You’ll also find some alternatives that make it easy to access the app, even without support or a physical Apple TV.

3 Workarounds for Getting Apple TV on an Older Samsung TV

Even though the Apple TV app won’t work on older Samsung TVs, that doesn’t mean you can’t still use it. Read on to learn about some clever workarounds that allow you to access your Apple app even on an older Samsung TV.

Older Samsung TVs such as Samsung TVs from 2017 or earlier can’t download the Apple TV app. (Source: Apple) While Samsung made select newer models of their TVs compatible with Apple apps, this compatibility doesn’t apply to older models. However, there are some workarounds you can use to get around this problem.

Hook Up a Laptop to Your Samsung TV

If you can’t get the Apple TV app on your older Samsung TV, another option is to run the Apple TV app on a laptop and hook the laptop up to the TV with an HDMI cable. This allows you to stream the Apple TV service on your laptop and then project it onto the larger TV screen via the HDMI cable.

The drawback to this method is that it requires quite a bit of outside equipment to accomplish. You’ll need a working laptop with the Apple TV app downloaded and an HDMI cable long enough to reach between the laptop and the back of the TV. You’ll also need to change the TV’s input to reflect the laptop rather than any cable box you might have hooked up instead.

The upside to using a laptop to run Apple TV on your Samsung TV is that most people already have extra HDMI cables lying around, and many people already have access to a computer with an HDMI hookup. So chances are you won’t have to buy anything to get this workaround going.

Use a Streaming TV Device

Another way to get Apple TV on your older Samsung TV even if it isn’t capable of downloading the Apple app directly is to use a streaming TV device. Here are a few of the streaming devices you can hook up to your TV to get access to streaming media sites:

  • Roku: Roku is a streaming device with smooth streaming capabilities and voice-activated remote control. This device comes with a premium HDMI cable included for easy installation.
  • Amazon Fire TV: Amazon’s Fire TV device incorporates their Alexa personal assistant. This device gives you access to the most popular streaming media sites while also allowing you to perform household tasks with voice commands, such as ordering groceries or dimming the lights. 
  • Android TV: Dynalink’s Android TV device supports high-def resolution streaming and comes with Chromecast built-in so you can easily cast music, movies, and more onto your television screen.
  • Chromecast Google TV: Google’s Chromecast device provides an easy way for TV owners to upgrade their TV’s capabilities without upgrading to a new model. This streaming device features an easy plug-and-play design that makes it a snap to get started broadcasting your favorite media apps.

The advantage of using a streaming TV device to get Apple TV on your older Samsung TV is that you won’t just have access to Apple TV. These streaming devices can also give you access to many other streaming media services in one convenient package.

A downside of using streaming TV devices is that they take up outlet space and can be relatively expensive. However, these devices are rarely more expensive than upgrading to a new Samsung model.

Hook Up a Gaming Console

If you don’t want to buy a streaming TV device, another option for accessing the Apple TV app on an older Samsung TV is to hook up a gaming console. Both of the newest generations of major gaming consoles such as XBox and Playstation are capable of downloading and streaming media apps like Apple TV.

The great thing about getting a gaming console to access streaming apps is that the console will let you play various entertaining games and music apps such as Spotify.

You can also invest in a last-generation console for a good deal since they’ve been on the market for roughly a decade. While the newest generation of gaming consoles such as the Playstation 5 or the XBox One will also give you access to Apple TV, they’ll be much more expensive.

Older Samsung TVs Can Get Apple TV

It might seem like a bit of a hassle to find out that your older Samsung TV doesn’t have native support for the Apple TV app, but that still doesn’t mean you can’t access your favorite Apple shows. Using one of the workarounds above will give you access to Apple TV and much more.

Why can't I get Apple TV on my Samsung TV?

If you are having any problems with the Apple TV app, check if your screen needs a firmware update, confirm you have a good internet connection, and then if you're still having trouble, contact Apple support.

Can you get Apple TV on older Samsung Smart TV?

Which devices have the Apple TV app? The Apple TV app is available on select 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Samsung Smart TVs, Lifestyle TVs, QLED 4K and 8K TVs, the Premiere projector, and the Freestyle. It is also available on Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon streaming devices.

Does Samsung TV allow Apple TV?

Whether it's the Apple TV app or AirPlay-enabled Apple devices, they all work seamlessly with Samsung Smart TV.