How to Install Apps on an LG Smart TV (webOS): Step by Step

LG smart TVs run the webOS operating system and its app store, which on recent models is simply called Apps (previously LG Content Store). Here we explain how to install apps on an LG smart TV and what to do when something goes wrong.

Before you start

• Connect the TV to the internet (Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable).
• To download some apps you need a free LG account; others will install without one.
• Accept the User Agreements if the TV asks you to: without them, the store won't work.

How to install apps on an LG smart TV (webOS), step by step

1. Press the Home button on the remote.
2. Open Apps (or LG Content Store on models from before 2022).
3. Use search to find the app.
4. Select it and press Install.
5. The app will appear on your home screen. You can rearrange it with the Edit button.

How to update your apps and the TV

Apps normally update themselves. To update the system, go to Settings → General (or Support) → About This TV → Check for Updates, and turn on automatic updates. The menu names vary slightly depending on your webOS version.

Can you install apps on an LG smart TV from USB?

Not for normal use. webOS can't install Android APK files. There is a Developer Mode, aimed at programmers, that lets you install your own apps, but it requires special tools and expires unless you renew it. If you need an app that isn't in the LG store, the most practical option is to plug in a Fire TV Stick or a Google TV device.

Common problems and fixes

• The store won't open or is empty: check your internet connection and accept the user agreements in Settings → General → About This TV → User Agreements.
• The app doesn't appear: it may not be available in your country or on your model. Check that your LG Services Country (in Settings → General → Location) is set correctly.
• Installation error: free up space by uninstalling apps you don't use and restart the TV (unplug it for 1 minute).
• Very old TV (before 2014, running NetCast): it barely gets any new apps. An external streaming stick is the best solution.

Which apps should you add to your LG smart TV?

The essentials are usually Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, DAZN and your local channels' apps, such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4 in the UK. You'll find more ideas in our guide to the best apps for Fire TV Stick; most of them are on LG too.