Can’t Download Apps On Your Apple TV? 7 Fixes To Try

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Couple stuck with Apple TV+ issue on TV

Are you having trouble downloading apps on your Apple TV?

I know, it sucks when you’re trying to install new apps, but your Apple TV has other ideas.

This is a known issue and can be really annoying when it happens, but you’ve come to the right place for answers. In this article, you’ll learn different ways to solve the problem.

If you can’t download apps on your Apple TV, chances are your restrictions are enabled, your device’s storage space is full, or you have a bad Internet connection.

Don’t worry, though. Try the following 7 fixes to get rid of download issues on your Apple TV:

  1. Check your Internet connection.
  2. Relaunch the App Store.
  3. Restart your Apple TV.
  4. Adjust your settings.
  5. Free up some storage space on your Apple TV.
  6. Update your TV.
  7. Sign out and back in.

Keep reading to fix this problem!

#1 Check Your Internet Connection

Despite the best efforts to keep things running smoothly, network issues can still happen. They’re very common and may be the reason you can’t download apps on your Apple TV.

Before you call your Internet provider, try restarting your modem and router. By doing this, you’ll be able to boost your Internet speed.

You can restart them in different ways, but the easiest way to do it is by following this quick guide:

  1. Locate your modem and router and unplug them.
  2. Wait 30 seconds or one minute.
  3. Plug in the modem again and wait one minute.
  4. Then, plug in the router. Please note that if your router has a power button, you’ll need to press it.

Tip: Wi-Fi signals are similar to radio waves since they travel up and down. Therefore, in order to get the best out of your router and avoid signal interference, try placing it off the ground and away from kitchen appliances.

Then, please forget your current network on your Apple TV and set it up again.

I know, the whole point of connecting your device to your network for the first time is not having to repeat this process countless times. However, this quick action can refresh your connection.

Follow this simple guide to do it:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select “Network”.
  3. Click on your Wi-Fi network.
  4. Select your Wi-Fi network again and click on “Forget Network”.
  5. Wait one minute.
  6. Connect your Apple TV to your Wi-Fi network again.

If the issue persists after completing the steps above, please use an Ethernet cable to connect your Apple TV to your router.

Tip: This fix can also solve different issues, such as loading errors.

#2 Relaunch the App Store

Not being able to download new apps can be really annoying. Luckily, on numerous occasions, this problem can be easily solved by relaunching the App Store.

By doing this, you’ll be able to restart it from scratch and get rid of bugs or other errors that may be preventing you from downloading apps.

Follow these simple steps to relaunch the App Store:

  1. Double press the home button on your remote.
  2. Select the App Store (I recommend closing other apps running in the background as well).
  3. Swipe up on your remote touch sensor to close the app.
Close apps on your Apple TV.

Once you’ve completed the steps above, try launching the App Store again and downloading an app to see if the issue was solved.

#3 Restart Your Apple TV

I’m sure you’ve heard this advice multiple times, but why does this fix seem to be some kind of magical cure for your device?

Simple. Restarting your Apple TV forces it to reload from the very beginning and get rid of different coding errors and bugs that may be causing technical issues.

You can restart your device in 3 different ways. These are:

Method 1:

  1. Press and hold the menu and home screen buttons on your remote.
  2. Wait until the lights on your Apple TV begin to flash.

Method 2:

  1. Unplug your Apple TV box and TV from the power.
  2. Plug it back into the wall outlet.

Method 3:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select “System”.
  3. Click on “Restart”.

#4 Adjust Your Settings

Next, let’s make sure your Apple TV’s restrictions are turned off, otherwise, you won’t be able to download certain apps.

Follow these simple steps to disable your device’s restrictions:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Click on “General”.
  3. Select “Restrictions” and enter your passcode.
  4. Go to “Apps”.
  5. Select “Allow all apps”.
  6. Go back to the menu and select “Restrictions” to disable them.
  7. Enter your Apple TV passcode.

Once you’ve completed the steps above, launch the App Store and try downloading an app again to see if the issue was solved.

#5 Free up Some Storage Space on Your Apple TV

If the issue persists, it’s time for us to check your device’s storage space.

If it’s full, you won’t be able to download new apps, and you’ll experience different performance problems.

Follow these quick steps to check if that’s the issue:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select “General”.
  3. Go to “Manage Storage”. You’ll be able to see how much storage space your apps are using.

If your Apple TV’s storage space is full, try offloading your unused apps. To do it, you’ll just need to:

  1. Go to Settings and select “Apps”.
  2. Turn on “Offload Unused Apps”.

Please note that this process won’t delete your apps’ data.

You can also manually uninstall any unused apps. Follow these steps to do it:

  1. Highlight the app you’d like to delete.
  2. Press and hold the touchpad on your remote until the app jiggles.
  3. Press the play/pause button on your remote.
  4. Select “Delete”.

#6 Update Your Apple TV

Next, let’s install your device’s latest software version.

You wouldn’t believe how many users I’ve seen struggle with download errors just because their device wasn’t updated.

You see, having outdated software could be the reason you can’t download or use apps. By updating your device, you’ll be able to solve this issue, get rid of other errors, and use new features.

Updating your Apple TV might seem like a difficult thing to do, but it’s really quick and simple. You’ll just need to:

  1. Go to Settings and click on “System.
  2. Select “Software Updates”.
  3. Click on “Update Software”.
  4. Choose “Install”.

#7 Sign Out and Back In

If nothing has worked so far, chances are there’s a problem with your Apple ID account.

Don’t worry, though. If that’s the case, you can easily solve this issue by signing out and back into your account.

To do it, you’ll just need to:

  1. Go to Settings and select “Users and Accounts”.
  2. Click on your user.
  3. Select “Store”.
  4. Click on “Sign out”.
  5. Select “Sign in” and enter your login credentials

Once you’ve completed the steps above, go to the App Store and try downloading apps again.

Conclusion

Hopefully, with the help of the seven fixes above, you’ll be able to install your favorite apps in no time.

Remember, sometimes the best way to fix the issue is by relaunching the App Store, checking your Internet connection, deleting unused apps, or disabling your Apple TV’s restrictions.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article. If you ever have any other technical issues, please check out our articles on Tech Detective. I’m sure you’ll be able to solve them in a blink of an eye.

Good luck!