Disney Star is the biggest entertainment network in India.
And if you’re a fan of Indian TV shows…
You’re going to love Hotstar.
Because it’s also home to some of Disney Star’s classic contents.
Now, you may be thinking…
“Can I install the Hotstar app on my Samsung TV?”
Keep reading to find out:
- 7 countries where the Hotstar app is actually available.
- How to effectively bypass the Hotstar app’s geo-restrictions.
- 5 easy steps to install the Hotstar app on your Samsung TV.
- And a lot more…
Is the Hotstar app available on Samsung TV?
The Hotstar app is available on Samsung TV. But only in select countries. Including India, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It used to be available in the United States as well. But Disney shut down the service there in November 2021. However, it’s still possible to download the app via a VPN.
How to install the Hotstar app on Samsung TV
Just a quick note about the Hotstar app.
This Indian brand streaming service was launched in 2015. And it’s now owned by Disney.
As of 2022, it’s available in 7 countries, namely:
- India.
- Canada.
- Thailand.
- Malaysia.
- Indonesia.
- Singapore.
- United Kingdom.
“Wait, what about the United States?”
The Hotstar app used to be available in the US. From 2017 to 2021.
However, in November 2021, Disney decided to discontinue the service. And instead moved Hotstar’s US content on ESPN+ and Hulu.
So US residents with a Hotstar subscription ended up getting the ESPN+/Hulu bundle.
But don’t worry.
If you still want to download the Hotstar app itself…
There’s a workaround to bypass the geo-restriction. Just go right ahead in the Bonus section for that.
And as for the steps below…
I assume you’re already in one of those countries where Hotstar is available.
With that, let’s get started.
#1: Go to your Samsung TV Smart Hub’s main page
Just press the Home button on your remote to get there.
#2: Open the Apps menu
Navigate to the left of your screen. And select the Apps icon. It’s the one with 4 circles.
#3: Search for the Hotstar app
Click the Search icon on the top right of the Apps page. And then type in “Hotstar” on the search bar.
#4: Download and install the app
Once you find the Hotstar app, click the Install button. Your Samsung TV should then start downloading and installing the app.
#5: Launch the app
After installation, you’ll see an Open button on the Hotstar app’s page. Click it to launch the app.
Once the app opens, sign in with your account.
Now, if you don’t have an account yet, you may also sign up directly on the app. Here’s how:
- Click the Sign-Up button.
- Select a plan. The price will vary per country.
- Enter your payment info.
That’s it. You may now start streaming.
Bonus: How to bypass the Hotstar app’s geo-restrictions
Living outside of the 7 countries where Hotstar’s available?
Not a problem. There are actually 2 ways to bypass Hotsar’s geo-restrictions:
How to bypass Hotstar’s geo-restrictions using a VPN
Before we dive into the steps…
You must know what a VPN actually is.
What a Virtual Private Network Is
A VPN is a service that can hide your actual IP address. And change it to another country.
Now, it’s important to note that a VPN service isn’t free. And it’ll require you to subscribe.
“How much would it cost me?”
It would really depend on the VPN provider.
But it should cost around $12 to $15 per month without a subscription plan.
However, the price could decrease significantly if you opt for the annual plan. In fact, it could go as low as $3 to $5 per month.
Here are some of the best VPN services you can subscribe to:
To subscribe, go to the VPN service’s official website using a browser on your laptop or phone.
From there, you can select a plan that you like. And then enter your account details. Including your payment info.
Already have a VPN subscription?
Awesome. Now you can download the Hotstar app to your Samsung TV.
How to download Hostrar using a VPN
Step #1: Install the app version of the VPN on your Samsung TV.
Just press the Home button on your remote. And then select Apps.
On the Apps page, search for your VPN service.
For example, you’ve subscribed to ExpressVPN.
You should therefore look for the app version of that. And install it.
Step #2: Launch your VPN app. And select a country where Hotstar is available.
Step #3: Go back to your Smart Hub’s home page. And then select Apps again.
Step #4: Search for Hotstar. You should now be able to find it with your VPN app turned on.
Step #5: Click the Install button. The Hotstar app should start downloading on your Samsung TV.
How to bypass Hotstar’s geo-restriction by changing your TV’s internet settings
This second method of bypassing Hotstar’s geo-restriction is actually free.
However, it’ll require you to reset your Samsung TV’s Smart Hub.
This means all of the 3rd party apps you downloaded will be deleted. So you’ll have to reinstall them again.
So weigh your options carefully.
But if you still want to proceed…
Just follow these steps to change your Samsung TV’s internet settings:
Step #1: Press the Home button on your remote and click Settings.
Step #2: Scroll down and select Support.
Step #3: Select Device Care and then click Self Diagnosis.
Step #4: Click the Reset Smart Hub option. You’ll then be asked to enter your 4-digit PIN. If you never set one, just enter 0000.
Step #5: Wait for the reset process to finish. You’ll be logged out of your Samsung account once it’s done.
Step #6: Click the Setup button.
Step #7: While on the Terms & Conditions page, grab your remote. And then press the Mute button. Followed by the Channel Up button. And the Mute button again.
Step #8: A window called Internet Service Location Setup will pop up. Select a country where the Hotstar app is available.
Step #9: Finish setting up your Smart Hub.
You’ll just have to accept all Terms & Conditions. And then sign back in with your Samsung account.
Step #10: After logging back in, select Apps. And then search for Hotstar.
Step #11: Once you find the Hotstar app, click the Install button.
After this, you may launch the app. And start streaming.
Now, I understand the steps are a bit tricky.
So to make it easier…
Here’s a video guide on changing your internet settings and downloading Hotstar:
Why is the Hotstar app not working on my Samsung TV?
The Hotstar app isn’t working on your Samsung TV because of WiFi issues. You need at least 5 Mbps of download speed to stream Hotstar. Also, there might be a glitch on your Samsung TV or the app itself. And in some cases, it can be due to outages or interruptions on Hotstar’s servers.
Now, there are several possible reasons why Hotstar isn’t working on your Samsung TV.
So I’ll be going over the most common ones. And then I’ll provide ways you can fix them.
#1: Network connection issues
A streaming app like Hotstar won’t work if your Samsung TV won’t stay connected to WiFi.
So check if you’re having network connection problems.
You may even verify your download speed on the Speedtest website. And if it’s slower than usual, restart your modem and router.
Just unplug them from the outlet. And wait for 30 seconds to a minute before powering them back on.
#2: There’s an outage on Hotstar’s end
Like any streaming service, Hotstar’s servers do experience occasional outages.
You may verify it by vising any of these sites using your phone or laptop:
Just search for Hotstar on any of those websites. And you’ll see its status.
And if it’s down, you’ll simply need to wait for Hotstar’s engineers to fix it.
#3: Glitch in your Samsung TV or the Hotstar app
Apps and devices alike experience temporary malfunctions from time to time. And it might be why the Hotstar app isn’t working.
It could be a glitch on your Samsung TV’s Smart Hub interface. Or the actual Hotstar app.
The solution?
Just restart the app and your TV.
Begin with Hotstar. Just close it. And then after a minute, relaunch it.
If it’s still not working, proceed with restarting your Samsung TV. Here’s how:
- Unplug the TV from the outlet.
- Press and hold the TV’s power button for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Wait for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Plug the TV back into its power source.
Further reading: (7 Fixes) Apps Not Working On Samsung TV
#4: Problems with your subscription
Another reason the Hotstar app won’t work is an issue with your subscription.
Your payment method might have been declined. Or an error on Hotstar’s servers kept your payment from going through.
Regardless, it’s best to check your billing status. Just follow these steps:
- Open a web browser on your phone or laptop.
- Go to Hotstar’s official website and log in to your account.
- Select My Account.
From there, you can view your payment history. As well as update the card you’re using for payment.
#5: Your VPN is off
If you’re using a VPN, see that it’s switched on.
Sometimes, a glitch can turn it off without warning. And if that happens, your IP address will revert to where you’re actually from.
So open the VPN app on your Samsung TV. And press the On button. And ensure that the IP address you select is from a country where Hotstar is available.