Submit a ticket My Tickets
Welcome
Login  Sign up

How can members download the PBS app on each device?

Because every streaming device is a little different, the instructions for downloading the app will depend on which streaming device you're using.


SUPPORTED DEVICES


Roku


On Roku, users should visit the Roku home screen and look for Streaming Channels (or Channel Store, on older models) on the Roku's left-hand menu.


Within Streaming Channels, use the search option to search for "PBS" and click on the PBS app in the search results.  Then, click the option to Add channel. The app will begin downloading.


Once the app has downloaded, it will be added to the user's home screen.


Instructions from Roku on downloading apps.



Apple TV


On Apple TV, users should visit the Apple TV home screen and look for App Store app from the list of icons on the Apple TV's home screen.


Within the App Store, use the search option to search for "PBS" and click on the PBS app in the search results. Then, click the option to Get. The app will begin downloading.


Once the app has downloaded, it will be added to the user's home screen.


Instructions from Apple on downloading apps.



Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV


On Amazon Fire, users should visit the Amazon Fire home screen and look for the Find option along Amazon's top menu, to the right of the Home option.


Within the Find screen, select Search and search for "PBS" and click the PBS app icon from the list of results. Then, click the option to Get. The app will begin downloading.


Once the app has downloaded, it will be added to the user's home screen.


Instructions from Amazon on downloading apps.



Android TV


On Android TV, users should visit the Android TV home screen and look for Apps. Select the Google Play Store app.


Within the Google Play Store app, use the search option at the top to search for "PBS" and then select the PBS app from the results. Then, click the option to download the app. The app will begin downloading.


Once the app has downloaded, it will be added to the user's home screen.


Instructions from Google on downloading apps.



Samsung TV


On some Samsung TV devices, the PBS app comes pre-installed. Other users may need to download the PBS app. If users do not see the PBS app as an option on their Samsung TV to open or download, we may not support their TV (if it's older than 2017).


On Samsung TV, users should visit the Samsung TV hub home screen and look for APPS on their home screen menu.


Within APPS, use the search option at the top of the screen to search for "PBS" and click the PBS app from the list of results. Then, click the Install option. The app will begin downloading.


Once the app has downloaded, it will be added to the user's home screen.


Instructions from Samsung on downloading apps.



VIZIO SmartCast TV


On VIZIO SmartCast TV, the PBS app comes pre-installed. Users cannot download the PBS app to these TVs as the app has already been installed with the TV. 


If a user does not see the PBS app on their VIZIO TV, it may not be a SmartCast model and they'll be unable to find or use the PBS app on their TV.



Google Chromecast


On Google Chromecast, users do not download apps. Instead, they cast videos from the PBS app installed on a phone or tablet, or from the PBS.org site on a Google Chrome browser. This means they'll need a second device: one device to load the video on, and the television to use as the screen during streaming.


While the app or PBS.org site is open on their other device, look for the cast icon at the top of the app or on their Google Chrome taskbar. 


Instructions from Google on how to cast from an app.

Instructions from Google on how to cast from the Google Chrome browser.



Apple iPhone or iPad


On the iPhone or iPad, users should return to their home screen and tap the App Store app from the list of icons on the home screen.


Within the App Store, use the search option to search for "PBS" and tap on the PBS app in the search results. Then, click the option to Get. The app will begin downloading.


Once the app has downloaded, it will be added to the user's home screen.


Instructions from Apple on downloading apps.



Android Phone


On the Android phone, users should visit the home screen. Select the Google Play app.


Within the Google Play app, use the search option to search for "PBS" and then select the PBS app from the results. Then, click the option to download the app. The app will begin downloading.


Once the app has downloaded, it will be added to the user's home screen.


Instructions from Google on downloading apps.



Did you find it helpful? Yes No

Send feedback
Sorry we couldn't be helpful. Help us improve this article with your feedback.