ComActivateIndependent activation help

How to activate an app on a Samsung TV

On a Samsung smart TV you install the app from the Apps section of Smart Hub, open it, and link it to your streaming account with a short code entered on your phone or computer. This guide covers each step, the difference between your Samsung account and your streaming account, and what to try when an app will not install or sign in.

Independent guide - not affiliated with or endorsed by Samsung. Last updated 16 October 2026.

Before you start

  • The TV is online. Samsung's own help pages say a working internet connection is needed to download apps, and streaming apps need it to sign in. A quick check is whether another device on the same Wi-Fi can get online.
  • You are signed in to a Samsung account on the TV. Samsung explains that Smart Hub needs a Samsung account before you can download apps. If you skipped this during setup, Smart Hub offers a set-up prompt on its Home screen.
  • You have an account with the streaming service. Your Samsung account only covers the TV and its app store. The streaming service has its own separate account and, if it is a paid service, its own subscription.
  • A phone or computer is nearby to enter the activation code.

Step 1: install the app from Smart Hub

Menu names change a little between model years, but the path on recent Samsung TVs looks like this:

  1. Press Home on the Samsung remote to open Smart Hub.
  2. Open Apps. On some newer models you press Left on the remote to expand the menu and choose Search instead.
  3. Type the name of the app with the on-screen keyboard and select it from the results.
  4. Select Install. Samsung suggests choosing Add to Home as well, so the app sits on your Home screen and is easy to find later.
  5. When the download finishes, select Open.

Some apps come pre-installed. If you can already see the app on the Home screen, skip straight to step 2.

Step 2: sign in with the activation code

  1. Open the app and choose Sign in or Log in. If the app asks how you want to sign in, pick the option to use the web, a phone or another device.
  2. Note the code and web address the TV shows. Many apps also show a QR code you can scan instead of typing the address.
  3. On your phone or computer, open that address or scan the QR code, and check that the page belongs to the streaming service.
  4. Sign in to your streaming account and type the code exactly as shown, then confirm.
  5. Wait a few seconds. The Samsung TV refreshes on its own and the app opens to your profile or home screen.

If you are new to codes, our general walkthrough on how to enter an activation code explains each step in more detail, and the guide to signing in on your TV with a QR code covers scanning with iPhone and Android.

Prefer typing a password? Most apps also let you sign in with your email and password using the remote. The code route is usually quicker because you type on your phone instead of a TV keyboard.

Samsung account sign-in is a different step

People searching for a "Samsung TV sign in code" are often looking at the Samsung account screen rather than a streaming app. The two are separate:

  • Samsung account - signs the TV in to Samsung's own services, including the app store in Smart Hub. Samsung's help pages place it under Settings > All Settings > General & Privacy > System Manager > Samsung Account on recent models. Samsung describes two ways to sign in there: scan the QR code with a phone that is already signed in to your Samsung account, or choose the remote control option and type your email and password.
  • Streaming app account - signs one app in to your account with that service. This is where the activation code appears, inside the app.

If you do not have a Samsung account yet, create it on Samsung's own Samsung account site from a phone or computer, then sign in on the TV.

Finding your Samsung TV's model code

Another common search is "how do I find my Samsung TV code". That usually means the model code, which you need when checking whether an app supports your TV or when reading the right user manual. It is printed on the label on the back of the TV and is also shown in the TV's settings, in the support or "About This TV" section. The model code has nothing to do with app activation, and nobody needs it to give you an activation code.

If the app will not install or sign in

  • The app is not in the search results. Samsung notes that not every app is compatible with every model, which is more common on older TVs because newer app versions can need more memory or processing power. App availability also varies by country. If your TV cannot get the app, a plug-in streaming device is the usual workaround: see our guides for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and Google TV.
  • Downloads fail or stall. Check the TV's network connection and free up space by removing apps you no longer use from the app settings in the Apps section. Some pre-installed apps cannot be removed.
  • The code is rejected. Go back in the app to get a fresh code, check look-alike characters such as 0 and O, and make sure you are signed in to the right streaming account on your phone. Our activation code not working checklist covers more causes.
  • You cannot see a code at all. Look for "sign in on the web", "use another device" or "activate" on the app's sign-in screen. Our guide on where to find the activation code lists the usual places.
  • The app freezes or will not open. Turn the TV off, unplug it from the wall for about a minute, plug it back in and try again. Also check for a TV software update in the support section of Settings.
  • Still stuck. Samsung's help pages describe a Smart Hub reset in the Device Care or Self Diagnosis area of Settings. Samsung warns that this resets Smart Hub settings and removes downloaded apps and accounts stored on the TV, so treat it as a last resort and be ready to sign in again.

A note on fees and look-alike sites

Linking an app to your account with a code is free. You pay for a subscription, if the service has one, inside your own account on that service's site. Samsung does not charge an activation fee for apps from Smart Hub either. If a site that is not on samsung.com or the streaming service's own domain asks for an "activation fee", a phone call or remote access to your computer, close it. Read how to spot activation code scams for the warning signs.

Official Samsung help

For problems with the streaming service itself, such as billing or a locked account, use the help section in that service's own app or website. For other TV brands, see our overview of activating an app on any smart TV.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Samsung account to activate an app on my Samsung TV?

You need a Samsung account signed in on the TV to download apps from Smart Hub. Activating the app itself uses your account with the streaming service, which is separate from your Samsung account.

Where do I enter the activation code for a Samsung TV app?

Not on the TV. The app shows a code and a web address. Open that address on your phone or computer, sign in to your streaming account and type the code there. The TV then updates by itself.

Why can I not find an app on my Samsung TV?

The app may not support your TV model, country or software version, which is more common on older TVs. Check for a TV software update, or use a plug-in streaming device that supports the app.

Does Samsung charge a fee to activate apps?

No. Installing an app and linking it with a code does not carry an activation fee. Any subscription is paid in your own account on the streaming service's website. Ignore sites that ask for an activation fee.

What is the Samsung TV sign-in QR code for?

On the Samsung account screen, the QR code lets you sign the TV in to your Samsung account by scanning it with a phone that is already signed in. Streaming apps can show their own separate QR codes for their own accounts.