How to Add or Delete Apps on Sony Smart TV

Learn to install your favorite Google apps on your TV

How to

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by Loredana Harsana 

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Key notes

  • Google Play Store is where you find all the apps available on Android TV and Google TV.
  • All Sony Smart TVs running Android TV have access to Google Play Store, from which you can install compatible apps.
  • In our guide, we will teach you how to add and remove apps from your Sony Smart TV using various methods.
  • Some of the pre-installed applications can't be deleted and can only be hidden from view.
add or remove apps on sony smart tv

If you bought a brand new Sony Smart TV and you’re not really used to it, adding and deleting apps can get a bit overwhelming.

Despite having an easy-to-use menu and a bunch of apps pre-installed, adding new ones can get confusing fast, if you don’t know what you’re doing.

First, you’ll need to know that your Sony Smart TV uses the Android OS, so if you already own an Android smartphone, things should be pretty similar.

Check out the steps below if you want to learn more on how you can add or remove apps on your Smart TV.

Prerequisites for adding apps to Sony TV

Before you start, you have to make a few general checks:

  • First, make sure that your Sony Smart TV is connected to the Internet.
  • Check if your device is Android powered or not. Some Sony Smart TVs (usually, before 2015) don’t have Android OS.
  • To access the Google Play Store, you must have an active Google account.

After that, you can start installing new apps on your TV.

How can I manage apps on my Sony Smart TV?

how to install apps on sony smart tv

1. Add Apps to Sony Smart TV

If you made sure that your Sony Smart TV is connected to the Internet with a stable connection, you can begin installing apps on it.

To do that, you need to navigate to Google Play Store and manually select to add the apps that are compatible with your Sony TV.

1. On your Sony Smart TV’s remote control, press on Home.

2. Go to Apps.

3. Under Apps, select Google Play Store.

4. Now select the search bar and use the Voice Search feature or the on-screen keyboard to search for the app you want to download and install.

5. In the Google Play Store, you’ll only find the apps that are compatible with your device. Some apps that work on your smartphone can’t be installed on your TV because they aren’t optimized for it.

6. After you searched for a certain app, a list of similar apps will show up. Choose the one that you want to install.

7. Now select Install.

8. After that, your Sony Smart TV will start downloading and installing your app. Wait for the process to finish and then you will find your app under Home > Apps.

We have to mention that if you have an older Sony Smart TV, you won’t be able to directly download new apps through the Google Play Store.

Instead, you’ll have to use Set Top Box (STB) like Google TV (NSZ-GS7). Bear in mind that not all apps are available because they are not optimized for a big-screen TV.

If you own a 2013/2014 Sony Smart TV, you could also use the Opera Store to install new apps.

2. Delete apps from your Sony Smart TV

2.1 From the Apps menu

You can uninstall or hide an app directly from the Apps menu:

  1. In the Apps menu, go to the app that you want to uninstall or hide.
  2. Press and hold the Enter button from your remote control on the app you want to uninstall.
  3. Now you’ll be presented with two options: Uninstall application or Hide application. Choose the option that is best for you.

2.2 Via Google Play Store

You can also uninstall apps from the Google Play Store:

  1. On your remote control press the Home button.
  2. Go to Apps.
  3. Under Apps, select Google Play Store.
  4. In the Google Play Store, navigate to My Apps.
  5. Now look for the app that you want to uninstall and select it.
  6. Choose Uninstall and then confirm by pressing OK.

2.3 Hide pre-installed apps

It’s worth mentioning that some of the pre-installed apps can’t be uninstalled. Depending on your TV’s model number, you’ll have the option to hide the Featured apps:

  1. On your Sony Smart TV, go to Settings.
  2. Now navigate to Apps > System Apps > Sony Shelf > Notifications.
  3. Switch to OFF and the Featured apps section will disappear from your home screen.

Alternatively, you can follow the steps:

  1. On your Sony Smart TV, go to Settings.
  2. Go to Apps > Sony Select > force close it.
  3. Switch Notifications to OFF.
  4. Note: you can also do it by going to Settings > System preferences > Home screen > Recommendations Raw > turn OFF all the apps.

As you can see, installing or uninstalling apps on your Sony Smart TV isn’t hard at all. The easiest way is through the Google Play Store, but you can also do it using the other methods.

If you have any other suggestions or questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below.

More about the topics: tv

Loredana Harsana

Loredana Harsana Shield

Windows Software Expert

Loredana is a passionate writer with a keen interest in PC software and technology. She started off writing about mobile phones back when Samsung Galaxy S II was on top of the world and she fell in love with tech of all sorts. Whenever she’s not at her work desk, you'll find her enjoying refreshing tea flavors, spilling stories on paper, and listening to the radio.