You just sat down with a bowl of popcorn, ready for the game or the latest episode of The Simpsons, and you realize something's wrong. You’re scrolling through your Samsung Smart Hub, squinting at the icons, and the FOX app is just... gone. Or maybe it was never there to begin with. Honestly, it's one of the most frustrating things about modern "smart" tech. You'd think a giant like Samsung and a massive network like FOX would have a seamless relationship.
The short answer is yes, but it’s kinda complicated.
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Most people assume there’s just one "FOX" app they need to download. In reality, the way you access FOX on a Samsung TV changed significantly in late 2025 and moving into 2026. If you're looking for a single button that says "FOX," you might be looking for a ghost.
The Big Shift: Meet FOX One
If you’ve been searching the Samsung App Store for "FOX Now," stop. That app is basically a relic of the past. FOX has moved its ecosystem into a unified platform called FOX One.
This is the main reason people think their Samsung TV doesn't "have" FOX. They’re searching for the old brand name. You’ve got to look for FOX One in the Tizen store (that’s the operating system your Samsung TV runs on). This new app is supposed to be the "everything" hub—sports, news, and primetime shows all under one roof.
The catch? You usually need a cable provider login to see the good stuff. If you're a cord-cutter, simply having the app won't get you very far without a subscription to something like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV to "authenticate" the stream.
Why your specific model matters
Samsung TVs are great, but their software support has a shelf life. If you’re rocking a model from 2017 or earlier, you might be out of luck for the native apps. The FOX One app and the FOX Sports app generally require a TV from 2018 or newer.
I’ve seen plenty of people pull their hair out trying to update a 2016 model only to realize the hardware just isn't supported by the latest FOX software. If that's you, don't throw the TV away. Just grab a $30 Roku or Fire Stick and plug it in. It’s a cheap fix for a "dumb" smart TV.
Watching FOX for Free: The Samsung TV Plus Hack
Believe it or not, you might already have FOX content without downloading a single thing. Samsung TVs come with a service called Samsung TV Plus. It’s that free, ad-supported streaming service that looks like a traditional channel guide.
It doesn’t give you the live local FOX affiliate (so no NFL games here, usually), but it does have:
- LiveNOW from FOX: This is a 24/7 raw news feed. It’s actually pretty great for breaking news because there’s less "talking head" commentary and more actual footage.
- FOX Weather: Exactly what it sounds like.
- Classic FOX content: Sometimes you’ll find dedicated channels for older shows owned by the network.
To find these, just hit the "Home" button, navigate to the Samsung TV Plus icon, and scroll to the 1100-series channels. Channel 1116 is usually where LiveNOW lives.
What About FOX Sports and News?
Sometimes you don't want the whole package; you just want the game. The FOX Sports app is still a standalone option on most Samsung sets. It’s actually famous for its 4K streams. If you have a 4K Samsung TV, watching a playoff game through the FOX Sports app often looks way better than watching it through your cable box because the app supports higher bitrates and HDR.
For the news junkies, the FOX News app and FOX Nation are also available individually.
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- Press the Home button.
- Navigate left to "Apps."
- Hit the magnifying glass in the top right.
- Type in exactly what you want (e.g., "FOX Nation").
If it doesn't show up, check your TV’s region settings. Sometimes if your Samsung account is set to a different country, the US-centric FOX apps simply won't appear in the search results.
The Local Channel Problem
Here is the thing that trips everyone up: The FOX One app usually won't give you your local news.
If you want the local news from your specific city (like FOX 5 in NYC or FOX 11 in LA), you should look for an app called FOX LOCAL. This is a separate, free app specifically designed for local affiliates. It’s surprisingly good. You don't need a cable login for most of the local news broadcasts there.
However, don't expect to watch The Masked Singer or live NFL games on the FOX LOCAL app. For those "national" programs, the network still wants you to pay for a TV provider.
Troubleshooting the "App Not Found" Error
If you know your TV is new enough but the app still won't install, try these steps. They sound basic, but they fix 90% of the issues:
- Cold Boot the TV: Hold down the Power button on your remote for about 5 seconds until the TV turns off and back on again. This clears the cache.
- Update the Firmware: Go to Settings > Support > Software Update. Apps often won't show up if your Tizen OS is out of date.
- Check Storage: Samsung TVs are notorious for having tiny internal storage. If you’ve downloaded a bunch of apps you don't use, delete a few and try the FOX download again.
Better Ways to Watch Without the Native App
Honestly, the built-in apps on smart TVs can be clunky. If the native Samsung FOX app is acting up—freezing or giving you that spinning circle of death—you have better options.
Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo all carry FOX. They have their own apps on the Samsung store which are often updated more frequently than the standalone FOX apps. Plus, if you use a Tablo device with an antenna, you can integrated your over-the-air FOX signal directly into your home network and watch it through the Tablo app on your Samsung TV.
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Actionable Steps for Success
To get FOX running on your Samsung TV right now, follow this sequence:
- Check your model year. If it's 2018 or newer, proceed to the app store. If it's older, buy a streaming stick.
- Search for "FOX One" first. This has replaced the older "FOX Now" app.
- Download "FOX LOCAL" if you only care about your city's news and weather without paying for cable.
- Verify your internet. FOX 4K sports streams require at least 25 Mbps. Use the TV’s built-in web browser to run a speed test if the video keeps buffering.
- Update your Samsung Account. Ensure your zip code is correct in the settings so the app can correctly identify your local affiliate for sports blackouts.
If you’ve followed these steps and the app still refuses to cooperate, the problem is likely a temporary server outage on FOX's end or a regional restriction. Usually, a quick restart of the Smart Hub (found in the self-diagnosis settings) will force the store to refresh its inventory.