Why can't I access the App Store on my Apple TV?

on my apple tv, when I try to search apps, the screen to do so is bypassed — I see it for a second, but it disappears — and I'm unable to look for the app I want to add to my tv.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Apple TV HD, tvOS 18

Posted on Feb 4, 2025 10:55 AM

Reply
4 replies

Feb 5, 2025 07:19 AM in response to vetagoler

I changed my settings so that date and time updated automatically and that fixed the problem.

Excellent! Enjoy your App Store access again.


If the date/time/timezone is significantly off, then that may cause issues with secure connections that require a time stamp that is somewhat accurate. That may have caused your issue, from what I can assess. And Apple will use secure connections for just about anything that they send or receive electronically, including accessing an App Store.

Feb 5, 2025 03:55 AM in response to vetagoler

I’m not sure in detail of what you are experiencing, as it should be the same for anyone with Apple TV HD (4th generation) or later models, with an Apple Account set to a country where Apple offers the App Store on Apple TV hardware (same countries as where Apple sells the Apple TV box). It works as intended on my unit.


  1. Find the App Store app on the Home Screen.
  2. Open the App Store app.
  3. Notice the ‘pages’ within the app, as indicated with ‘tabs’ along the top of the screen: Discover, Apps, Games, Arcade, Purchased, Search. Navigate to Search (magnification glass icon) if you know the name of the app that you want to install. You can type the app name there. (More generic keywords are also supported in Search.)


If the App Store app seems to misbehave, then:

  1. Force-quit the app, then relaunch and try again.
  2. If the issue persists, force-quit the app, restart the device, then relaunch and try again.
  3. If the issue still persists after that, then contact Apple for further assistance.


Note that the App Store on the Apple TV box has compatible apps only. This may differ somewhat from the App Store on iPhone or iPad. App developers can choose to program for specific devices, and release their app on App Stores on those devices only.

Aside from that, there is also a regional availability option. Apps can be for a specific set of countries and country-like regions, as their developers see fit.

Feb 5, 2025 06:48 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Many thanks for your suggestions. Unfortunately, my problem persists. The issue is I'm unable to access the App Store app. When I click on it, I see the "Welcome to the App Store" screen for a second, but then it moves to the screen showing the different apps I have. And that screen is frozen; it doesn't allow me to do anything. I'm trying to add an app and need to be able to work in the "Welcome to the App Store" screen. Any other thoughts?

Thanks.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Why can't I access the App Store on my Apple TV?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.