Table of contents(14)+
- 01The 30-second test: which OS is your Hisense TV running?
- 02Which app store does your Hisense TV use?
- 03Method 1: Download apps on a VIDAA (Hisense) TV
- 04Method 2: Download apps on a Hisense Google TV
- 05Method 3: Download apps on a Hisense Roku TV
- 06Method 4: Download apps on a Hisense Fire TV
- 07When an app won't download or isn't listed
- 08Frequently Asked Questions
- 09Why won't my Hisense TV download apps?
- 10Where is the app store on a Hisense TV?
- 11How do I add apps to a Hisense VIDAA TV?
- 12Can I install apps that aren't in the Hisense app store?
- 13Do apps cost money to download on a Hisense TV?
- 14Related guides
To download apps on a Hisense TV, open your set's app store — the VIDAA App Store, Google Play, the Roku Channel Store, or the Amazon Appstore — then search for the app and select Install. The right store depends on your TV's operating system, so check that first. Wi-Fi has to be connected.
I've added apps to three Hisense sets this year: a U8K on Google TV, an A6 running VIDAA, and an older R6 Roku model. The steps look different on each one. So the first real job is knowing which system your TV runs. Get that right and the rest takes about two minutes.
The 30-second test: which OS is your Hisense TV running?
Hisense sells the same TV with different software depending on where you buy it. Before you hunt for the app store, confirm your operating system. Here's the fastest way to tell.
- Watch the boot logo. A VIDAA splash means VIDAA. A purple screen means Roku TV. The Google or Android robot means Google TV. An orange Fire TV logo means Fire TV.
- Look at the home screen. Rows of channel tiles point to Roku. A big 'For you' banner points to Google TV. A simple app grid with a VIDAA account option points to VIDAA.
- Check Settings. Open Settings and look for the OS name near 'System' or 'About'.
Still not sure? Our guide on VIDAA vs Roku vs Google TV walks through each home screen so you can match yours.
Which app store does your Hisense TV use?
| Your Hisense OS | App store | Apps are called | How to open it |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIDAA (A6, U6, E-series) | VIDAA App Store | Apps | Home → Apps → App Store |
| Google TV / Android TV (U7, U8) | Google Play Store | Apps | Home → Apps tab |
| Roku TV (R6, R7) | Roku Channel Store | Channels | Home → Streaming Channels |
| Fire TV (select models) | Amazon Appstore | Apps | Home → Find → Appstore |
Don't lean too hard on the model number. Hisense reuses names like U7 across regions, and the same model can run VIDAA in one country and Google TV in another. Trust the logo on screen, not the sticker on the box.
Tired of pecking at letters? Searching an app store with the arrow keys is slow going. The free HiRemote app turns your phone into a Hisense keyboard, so you type an app name once instead of clicking across a grid — then open the app you installed straight from your phone.
Method 1: Download apps on a VIDAA (Hisense) TV
VIDAA is Hisense's own system, used on many A-, U6-, and E-series sets. Its app store is small, but it covers the big streaming names.
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Scroll down to the Apps row, then open the App Store. Some models show a '+' tile instead.
- Use the search icon or browse categories to find your app.
- Select the app, then choose Install. It lands on your Apps row.
Sign in to a free VIDAA account first, or some apps won't save. Honest limit: VIDAA's catalog is the smallest of the four. You can't sideload apps, so if something isn't listed, it isn't coming — cast it from your phone instead. You can check current apps on VIDAA's official site.
Method 2: Download apps on a Hisense Google TV
Hisense's U7 and U8 models often run Google TV; older ones say Android TV. You get the full Google Play Store, which has the widest catalog of the four.
- Press Home, then open the Apps tab along the top.
- Open the Google Play Store, or use the search bar.
- Search for your app, or say it with the Assistant mic button.
- Select the app and choose Install.
You can also install from your phone. Open play.google.com, pick the app, and choose your TV under 'Install on more devices'. Your Google account has to be signed in on both. One catch: Android TV's older layout hides the store under the Apps row, not a top tab. If Play Store won't load, Google TV Help has a reset walkthrough.
Method 3: Download apps on a Hisense Roku TV
Hisense R-series sets run Roku TV. Roku calls apps 'channels', which trips people up. The store is the Channel Store.
- Press Home on the Roku remote.
- Scroll to Streaming Channels and open it.
- Choose Search Channels, or browse a category.
- Select the channel, then choose Add Channel.
Prefer your phone? Sign in at my.roku.com or use the Roku mobile app, add the channel, and it shows up on your TV within a minute. You'll need a free Roku account either way. Note: a handful of channels are region-locked and won't appear in every country.
Every new app wants a login. Once an app installs, you'll type an email and password to sign in — painful with a stock remote. HiRemote lets you type those from your phone's keyboard, and it can wake the TV and open apps directly when the physical remote starts acting up.
Method 4: Download apps on a Hisense Fire TV
A few Hisense models ship with Fire TV built in. Apps come from the Amazon Appstore, and you'll need an Amazon account signed in.
- Press Home on the Fire TV remote.
- Select Find, then Search — or open the Appstore row.
- Type or say the app name.
- Select the app and choose Get or Download.
You can also send apps from the Amazon website: open the app page, choose Deliver, and pick your TV. Heads-up: the Appstore catalog is smaller than Google Play, so a few niche apps are missing.
When an app won't download or isn't listed
Not every app reaches every Hisense platform. If yours won't appear, work through these in order before you give up.
- Check your Wi-Fi. No connection means an empty or frozen store. Fix that first with our Hisense Wi-Fi guide.
- Update the TV software. Old firmware hides newer apps. Run a system update, then reopen the store — see how to update your Hisense TV.
- Restart the TV. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and try again.
- Cast it instead. If the app truly isn't supported (common on VIDAA), stream it from your phone. Our Hisense smart TV guide covers casting and YouCine.
My honest take: on VIDAA, if the store doesn't list it, stop searching and cast. Only Google TV lets you sideload an APK, and I'd skip that unless you know the file is safe — unofficial installs can break updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't my Hisense TV download apps?
Your Hisense TV usually won't download apps because Wi-Fi dropped, the software is outdated, or the app isn't in your platform's store. Check the connection first, then run a system update and restart the TV. On VIDAA, some apps simply aren't available, so cast them from your phone instead.
Where is the app store on a Hisense TV?
The app store sits on your home screen, but its name depends on the OS. Press Home and look for the VIDAA App Store, the Google Play Store, the Roku Channel Store (under Streaming Channels), or the Amazon Appstore. If you don't see it, your TV may need a software update first.
How do I add apps to a Hisense VIDAA TV?
Press Home, open the Apps row, and launch the App Store. Search for the app or browse categories, then select Install. Sign in to a free VIDAA account so your apps save. VIDAA's catalog is limited, so a missing app usually means it isn't supported on that platform.
Can I install apps that aren't in the Hisense app store?
Only on Hisense Google TV models, which allow sideloading an APK file. VIDAA, Roku, and Fire TV don't permit it. Even on Google TV, sideloading is risky and can block future updates, so cast the app from your phone whenever you can instead.
Do apps cost money to download on a Hisense TV?
Most apps are free to download on every Hisense platform. You only pay for a service's own subscription, like Netflix or Disney+, after you install and sign in. A few premium apps charge upfront, but the four app stores never add a separate download fee.
