When a streaming app starts crashing, buffering endlessly, or missing features your phone version already has, the fix is usually simpler than it looks. Learning how to update smart TV apps takes only a couple of minutes, yet it solves a surprising share of the everyday annoyances smart TV owners run into — from log-in errors to playback that stutters for no clear reason.
Smart TVs do not always keep their apps current on their own. Some brands turn automatic updates on by default, others leave the choice to you, and a few bury the update button in menus you rarely open. This guide walks through the exact steps for the TV platforms you are most likely to own in the UAE — Android TV and Google TV, Samsung’s Tizen, LG’s webOS, and Amazon Fire TV — plus what to do when an app refuses to update at all.
Quick Answer
To update smart TV apps, open your TV’s app store (Google Play Store on Android TV/Google TV, Samsung Apps on Tizen, LG Content Store on webOS, or the Appstore on Fire TV), find the app you want, and choose Update if one is available. For a permanent fix, turn on automatic app updates in the store’s settings so every installed app stays current without you checking manually.
Why Smart TV Apps Need Updating
An app update on your TV is not just about new features. Streaming services change how their servers talk to apps all the time — log-in methods, video formats, and content protection all evolve — and an old app version eventually stops understanding the new rules. That is why an app that worked fine for a year can suddenly refuse to sign you in or play certain titles.
Updates also matter for less obvious reasons:
- Bug fixes: crashes, frozen screens, and audio sync issues are often patched in newer versions.
- Security: outdated apps can carry known vulnerabilities, and your TV sits on the same home network as everything else you own.
- Compatibility: when your TV’s system software gets a firmware upgrade, apps may need matching updates to keep working with it.
- New features: updated interfaces, extra streaming quality options, and new content sections usually arrive through app updates first.
If several apps misbehave at once, the problem may be wider than one outdated app — our common smart TV problems and solutions guide covers the broader fixes.
How to Update Smart TV Apps on Android TV and Google TV
Android TV and Google TV sets — sold by brands such as Sony, TCL, Hisense, and Xiaomi — manage apps through the Google Play Store, the same store Android phones use. Android TV is Google’s television operating system, and its app update flow will feel familiar if you have ever updated apps on a phone.
To update apps manually:
- From the home screen, open the Google Play Store app.
- Select your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Choose Manage apps & games, then Updates.
- You will see a list of apps with updates waiting. Select Update all, or update individual apps one by one.
To turn on automatic updates:
- Open the Play Store and select your profile icon.
- Go to Settings > Auto-update apps.
- Choose Auto-update apps at any time (or restrict it to Wi-Fi only if your TV uses a mobile hotspot).
One caveat: on some operator-branded boxes and older Android TV sets, the Play Store’s update section can be slow to refresh. If an app you know has a newer version shows no update button, wait a day or restart the TV and check again before assuming anything is broken.
How to Update Smart TV Apps on Samsung Tizen TVs
Samsung TVs run their own Tizen operating system and use the Samsung Apps store rather than Google Play. The process is straightforward once you know where Samsung hides the settings.
To update apps manually:
- Press the Home button on your remote and open the Apps section.
- Select the Settings (gear) icon in the top-right corner of the Apps screen.
- You will see your installed apps listed. Any app with an update available shows an Update option — select it.
To turn on automatic updates:
- Open Apps > Settings as above.
- Find the Auto Update toggle and switch it On.
Samsung generally pushes app updates quietly in the background once this toggle is on, and it is worth leaving enabled. If an update fails partway through, the usual culprit is low storage — clearing a smart TV app’s cache often frees enough space for the update to finish.
How to Update Smart TV Apps on LG webOS TVs
LG’s webOS TVs use the LG Content Store. Updates land there rather than in a separate settings menu, which confuses some owners who go looking under the TV’s general settings.
To update apps manually:
- Press Home and open the LG Content Store.
- Navigate to Apps > My Apps.
- Apps with pending updates are marked here — select an app and choose Update.
To turn on automatic updates:
- In the LG Content Store, open My Apps.
- Look for the Automatic Update option and enable it.
Note that on some older webOS versions, the store shows updates only when you open it — they do not install silently in the background the way Samsung’s do. If you rely on auto-update, open the Content Store every week or two to confirm it is actually doing its job.
How to Update Apps on Amazon Fire TV
Fire TV sticks and Fire TV-powered televisions are common in the UAE as affordable upgrades for older sets. Their apps update through Amazon’s own Appstore.
To update apps manually:
- Highlight the app on the home screen and press the menu button (three lines) on the remote.
- Select More Info. If an update is available, you will see an Update option.
To turn on automatic updates:
- Go to Settings > Applications > Appstore.
- Set Automatic Updates to On.
App Updates vs. System Software Updates
It helps to keep two different kinds of “update” separate in your mind:
| Type | What it changes | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| App update | One individual app (Netflix, YouTube, Shahid, etc.) | The TV’s app store |
| Software / firmware update | The TV’s whole operating system | Settings > Support / About > Software Update |
Updating an app fixes that app. Updating the firmware changes how the entire TV behaves and can affect every app at once. If a single app misbehaves, update the app first. If every app misbehaves, check for a system software update — or work through the complete smart TV troubleshooting guide before touching anything else.
What to Do When an App Will Not Update
Sometimes the Update button is greyed out, the download stalls, or the update fails with an error. Work through these causes in order:
- The app is already current. Stores do not always show version numbers clearly. If no update is offered, the app is probably up to date — check the app’s own settings screen for a version number if you want to be sure.
- Storage is full. TV storage fills up faster than people expect. Clear the app’s cache to reclaim space, or uninstall apps you never open.
- The internet connection dropped. Updates need a stable connection. A TV on weak Wi-Fi may start a download and silently fail — try moving closer to the router or use a wired connection for the update.
- The app is region-restricted. Some apps are not offered in the UAE store. If an app vanished from the store entirely, no amount of retrying will bring back its updates.
- The TV is too old for the new version. Developers eventually drop support for old TV models. When updates stop arriving for a TV that is many years old, that is usually why — and UAE consumer protection rules are worth knowing if a retailer promised ongoing support at purchase time.
- Restart and retry. Power the TV fully off (not just standby), wait 30 seconds, and try the update again. This clears temporary glitches more often than people expect.
If an app is thoroughly broken and will not update, uninstalling it and reinstalling a fresh copy from the store often works better than fighting the update mechanism. You will need to sign in again afterwards, so keep your log-in details handy. When nothing at the app level helps, a full smart TV reset is the last resort — it wipes everything, so treat it as exactly that.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do smart TV apps update automatically?
They can, but it depends on your settings. Android TV, Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, and Fire TV all offer automatic app updates, yet the feature is sometimes off by default. Check your app store’s settings once and switch it on — it is the easiest maintenance habit for any smart TV.
How often should I check for app updates manually?
If automatic updates are on, you rarely need to check. With them off, a quick look every couple of weeks is enough. It is also worth checking manually right after a major streaming service redesigns its app, since those releases sometimes arrive in stages.
Will updating an app delete my log-in or watch history?
No. A normal app update keeps your sign-in, profiles, and watch history intact. Those live on the service’s servers, not in the app version. Only uninstalling the app — or clearing its data rather than its cache — signs you out.
Why can’t I find a particular app in my TV’s store?
App availability varies by country and TV model. An app offered in one region’s store may be absent from the UAE store, and developers sometimes withdraw apps from older TV models. Searching the store by the exact name is the fastest way to confirm.
Do I need a Samsung, LG, or Google account to update apps?
Usually yes for at least the first setup. Samsung and LG require their respective accounts for their app stores, while Android TV needs a Google account. You generally stay signed in after that, so updates — automatic ones especially — happen without you thinking about accounts again.
Can app updates slow down an older TV?
Occasionally. Newer app versions are built for newer hardware, and on a TV that is five or more years old, a heavy update can make an app feel sluggish. If that happens, clearing the cache helps; if it does not, the app’s older design may simply have outgrown the TV’s hardware.
The Bottom Line
Keeping smart TV apps updated is one of the highest-value, lowest-effort things you can do for your television. Turn on automatic updates in your TV’s app store once, check manually every so often, and treat a misbehaving app as outdated until proven otherwise. Most “broken” streaming apps are simply old ones — and now you know exactly where the update button lives on every major platform.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.