How to Install Tubi on Any TV (Roku, Smart TV & Firestick)

The first time I tried to install Tubi on my TV, I figured it would be easy. But between confusing menus and hidden app stores, it took longer than I expected.

If you’ve ever felt the same — wanting to watch free classic TV shows and movies without dealing with subscriptions — you’re in the right place.

In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you exactly how to install Tubi on your smart TV, Roku, Firestick, tablet, or phone. No technical jargon, no sign-ups required — just a quick, easy way to start watching tonight.

Need more ways to stream old shows? Check out our full guide to watching old TV shows for free.

What Is Tubi (And Why It’s Perfect for Classic TV Fans)

Tubi is like flipping back to the golden days of television — but with the convenience of streaming. It’s 100% free and loaded with thousands of shows, movies, and channels, including a ton of nostalgic favorites from the 1950s through the 1970s.

Here’s what makes Tubi so appealing:

• Over 50,000 movies and TV shows — including vintage hits and cult classics
• Totally free — no subscription, no credit card, no contract
• Works on nearly every device — smart TVs, Roku, Firestick, phones, tablets, and computers
• Supported by short ads — just like traditional TV, but you control what you watch
• Offers both live TV channels and on-demand viewing

When you open Tubi, you’ll find categories like Classic TV, Comedy, Westerns, Family Favorites, and Drama. It feels a lot like old-fashioned channel surfing — except now, it’s all on your schedule.

How to Install Tubi

Method 1: Install Tubi on a Smart TV (Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio)

If your TV was made in the last 10 years, there’s a good chance it’s a “Smart TV” — meaning it connects to the internet and has built-in apps.

How to Know If You Have a Smart TV

Here’s how to check quickly:

• Look for apps on your TV’s home screen. If you see colorful icons like Netflix or YouTube when you turn on the TV, you have a Smart TV.
• Check your remote. Look for buttons labeled Home, Smart, or Apps. If you have one of those, your TV is smart.

If you don’t see any apps and your remote only has channel numbers, skip ahead to Method 2 (streaming devices).

Step 1: Make Sure Your Smart TV Is Connected to Wi-Fi

Before you can install Tubi, your TV needs to be online:

1. Grab your TV’s own remote (not your cable remote).
2. Press Menu or Settings (often a gear icon).
3. Go to Network → Wi-Fi Settings.
4. Select your home Wi-Fi network from the list.
5. Enter your Wi-Fi password and connect.

Once connected, try opening Netflix or YouTube to confirm you’re online. If those work, you’re ready for the next step.

Step 2: Find the App Store on Your TV

Every smart TV brand calls their app store something different:

TV Brand	What to Look For
Samsung	Samsung Apps or Smart Hub
LG	LG Content Store
Sony	Google Play Store (on Google TV models)
Vizio	SmartCast or V button on remote
TCL/Hisense	Roku Home or Google TV

Press the Home button on your TV remote, then look for “Apps,” “Store,” or “Add Channels.”

Step 3: Search for Tubi and Install It

1. Navigate to the App Store or Apps section.
2. Select Search (usually a magnifying glass icon).
3. Using your remote, type T-U-B-I on the on-screen keyboard.
4. Select Tubi – Free Movies & TV from the results.
5. Click Install, Add App, or Download.
6. Wait a moment while the app installs.
7. Once complete, select Open to launch Tubi.

That’s it — you’re ready to stream for free.

Can’t find the App Store? On some TVs, you need to scroll down past your existing apps to find a button like “Get More Apps” or “Go to Play Store.” Look for it at the bottom of your app row.

Method 2: Install Tubi on a Roku Stick or Roku Box

Don’t have a smart TV? No problem. A Roku Stick or Roku Box plugs into your TV and gives it smart capabilities. These devices cost around $29–$40 and work with almost any TV that has an HDMI port (the flat, narrow slot on the back or side).

First-time Roku user? If you haven’t set up your Roku device yet, follow our complete Roku Stick Setup Guide first, then come back here.

If your Roku is already working and connected to Wi-Fi, here’s how to add Tubi:

Step 1: Go to the Roku Home Screen

1. Turn on your TV.
2. Your Roku should turn on automatically. If not, press any button on the Roku remote.
3. If you see a different input (like cable), press the Input or Source button on your TV remote until you see the purple Roku home screen with tiles.

You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see boxes (tiles) like Netflix, The Roku Channel, or similar apps.

Step 2: Open the Search Menu

1. On the left side of the Roku home screen, you’ll see a vertical menu: Home, What to Watch, Search, etc.
2. Use the arrow buttons on your Roku remote to highlight Search.
3. Press the OK button in the center of your remote.

A keyboard will appear on the screen.

Step 3: Search for Tubi and Add the Channel

1. Using the arrow buttons, move around the on-screen keyboard and type: T-U-B-I.
2. As you type, Roku will show search results. Look for “Tubi – Free Movies & TV”.
3. Highlight it and press OK.
4. You’ll see a page for Tubi with a button that says Add channel.
5. Highlight Add channel and press OK.
6. Wait a moment while Roku installs the app.
7. When it’s done, the button will change to Go to channel.
8. Press OK to open Tubi for the first time.

Congratulations — Tubi is now installed on your Roku!

Step 4: Pin Tubi to the Front of Your Home Screen (So It’s Easy to Find)

By default, new apps get added to the end of your channel list. Here’s how to move Tubi up front so you can find it quickly:

1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
2. Use the arrows to move to the Tubi tile.
3. Press the ✱ (star) button on your remote.
4. Choose Move channel.
5. Use the arrows to drag Tubi near the top of your list.
6. Press OK to drop it in place.

Now, every time you want to watch Tubi, you just:

• Press Home
• Move to Tubi
• Press OK

Method 3: Install Tubi on an Amazon Fire TV Stick

The Amazon Fire TV Stick works similarly to a Roku — it plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and lets you stream apps.

Haven’t set up your Fire Stick yet? Make sure it’s plugged in, powered on, and connected to your Wi-Fi before continuing.

Step 1: Go to the Fire TV Home Screen

1. Turn on your TV and switch to the HDMI input where your Fire Stick is connected.
2. You should see the Fire TV home screen with rows of apps and content.

Step 2: Search for Tubi

1. On the Fire TV home screen, navigate to the Search icon (magnifying glass) at the top left.
2. Type T-U-B-I using the on-screen keyboard, or press and hold the microphone button on your remote and say “Tubi.”
3. Select Tubi – Free Movies & TV from the results.

Step 3: Download and Open Tubi

1. On the Tubi app page, click Get or Download.
2. Wait for the installation to complete.
3. Click Open to launch Tubi.

The familiar orange-and-red Tubi logo will appear, and you’re ready to start watching.

Method 4: Install Tubi on a Tablet or Smartphone

You don’t need a TV at all to enjoy free classic shows. Watching on a phone or tablet is the simplest option — you just download the app.

On an Android Phone or Tablet:

1. Open the Google Play Store (the colorful triangle icon).
2. Tap the search bar and type Tubi.
3. Select Tubi – Free Movies & TV.
4. Tap Install.
5. Once installed, tap Open.

On an iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the App Store (the blue icon with a white “A”).
2. Tap Search at the bottom.
3. Type Tubi and tap Search.
4. Select Tubi – Free Movies & TV.
5. Tap Get (you may need to confirm with Face ID or your password).
6. Once installed, tap Open.

No login needed — you can start browsing immediately.

Setting Up Your Tubi Experience

Now that Tubi is installed, here’s how to get the most out of it.

Watch Without an Account (Fastest Option)

When you first open Tubi, you can:

• Look for Browse as Guest or simply start scrolling through shows.
• You can watch anything immediately — no sign-up required.

The downside: Tubi won’t remember what you watched or save your favorites.

Create a Free Tubi Account (Recommended)

Having a free account lets you:

• Save shows to “My List” so you can find them later
• Resume watching where you left off
• Get better recommendations based on what you like

To create an account:

1. On Tubi’s main screen, look for Sign In or Register.
2. Tubi will show you an activation code and a website address (usually tubi.tv/activate).
3. On your phone, tablet, or computer, visit that website.
4. Enter the code shown on your TV screen.
5. Create a free account with your email and a password — or log in if you already have one.

After a moment, your TV screen will update, and you’ll be signed in on all your devices.

How to Find Classic TV Shows on Tubi

Getting Tubi installed is only half the fun. Here’s how to find the vintage shows you love.

Search for Specific Shows

From the Tubi home screen:

1. Navigate to Search (usually at the top or on the left).
2. Type the name of a show you’re looking for.

Try searching for titles like:

• “The Andy Griffith Show”
• “Bonanza”
• “The Dick Van Dyke Show”
• “The Beverly Hillbillies”
• “Gunsmoke”
• “The Twilight Zone”

Not every show is available all the time (streaming rights change), but Tubi usually has hundreds of options from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.

Browse by Category

Instead of searching, you can browse:

1. Scroll down on Tubi’s home screen.
2. Look for categories like “Nostalgia TV”, “Classic TV & Movies”, or “Westerns”.
3. Move left and right through the row to see all the shows.
4. When you see something interesting, highlight it and press OK.

This is a great way to rediscover shows you might have forgotten — old westerns, early sitcoms, or vintage sci-fi.

Save Shows to “My List”

To save a show for later:

1. Highlight the show you want to save.
2. On its information page, look for Add to My List or a “+” icon.
3. Press OK.

Later, go to My List inside Tubi to quickly find everything you’ve saved.

Making Tubi Easier to Use (Simple Tweaks)

Turn On Subtitles / Closed Captions

If you like reading the words on the screen:

1. While a show is playing, press the ✱ (star) button on your Roku remote (or the menu button on Fire Stick).
2. Look for Closed captions or Subtitles.
3. Choose On always.
4. Press OK.

Your shows will now display text at the bottom of the screen.

Slow Down and Avoid “Wrong Clicks”

A few tips for easier navigation:

• Press buttons once, then wait a second for the screen to respond.
• If you get lost, press the Home button to go back to the main menu.
• Keep a small note by the TV: “Home → Tubi → OK” as a reminder.

Troubleshooting Common Tubi Problems

Even when you do everything right, sometimes technology acts up. Here are simple fixes.

Tubi Won’t Open or Keeps Closing

Try these steps in order:

1. Restart Tubi: Press Home, go back to the Tubi tile, and open it again.
2. Restart your device:
   • Roku: Go to Settings → System → System restart → Restart
   • Fire Stick: Go to Settings → My Fire TV → Restart
3. Remove and re-add Tubi:
   • Highlight the Tubi tile
   • Press the ✱ button (Roku) or hold Select (Fire Stick)
   • Choose Remove and confirm
   • Then search for Tubi and reinstall it

Picture Freezes or Keeps Buffering

This is usually an internet issue:

• Move your streaming device closer to your Wi-Fi router if possible.
• If others in the house are streaming or downloading, ask them to pause temporarily.
• Unplug your router, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
• On Roku: Go to Settings → Network → Check connection to test your Wi-Fi.

The Picture Looks Grainy or Blurry

Don’t worry — that’s not a glitch. Many classic shows on Tubi were filmed decades ago, long before HD existed. A bit of grain or fuzziness is completely normal and part of the vintage charm.

No Sound

Double-check that the volume is turned up on both your TV and your streaming device remote. Some setups have separate volume controls, and it’s easy to miss one.

Remote Not Responding

• Roku Box: Make sure nothing is blocking the front of the device — it needs a clear line of sight from the remote.
• Roku Stick / Fire Stick: Try replacing the batteries or re-pairing the remote through Settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Watch First on Tubi

Here are some timeless classics available on Tubi to get you started:

• The Andy Griffith Show — Heartwarming small-town stories from Mayberry
• The Dick Van Dyke Show — Smart, slapstick comedy from one of TV’s most charming couples
• Bonanza — A classic Western saga about family and justice on the Ponderosa Ranch
• The Beverly Hillbillies — Country folk strike oil and hilariously navigate high society
• The Twilight Zone — Iconic sci-fi tales with mind-bending twists
• Gunsmoke — Gritty frontier justice with Marshal Matt Dillon

Many of these stream 24/7 on Tubi’s live channels — so you can drop in anytime, just like old-school TV.

Want Even More Classic TV?

If you enjoy Tubi, here are other free options worth exploring:

• Pluto TV — Works like traditional television with 24/7 live channels playing classic shows on a schedule.
• Best Classic TV on YouTube — Thousands of vintage favorites uploaded by studios, completely free.
• The Internet Archive — A nonprofit library where you can stream or download shows from the 1950s and 60s, completely ad-free.

Wrap Up

Getting Tubi installed is easier than it looks — whether you have a smart TV, a Roku, a Fire Stick, or just your phone. Once you’ve added the app and settled in with your remote, you’re ready to relive the golden age of television.

No subscriptions. No complicated setup. Just thousands of free classic shows waiting for you.

So grab your popcorn, open Tubi, and rediscover those timeless programs that never get old.

Happy watching — and welcome back to the best of classic TV.