How to Add Apps on an LG Smart TV: A Complete Guide
LG Smart TVs run on webOS, the company's proprietary operating system, which comes with its own app ecosystem centered around the LG Content Store. Adding apps to your LG Smart TV is generally straightforward — but the process, available apps, and limitations vary depending on which webOS version your TV is running and when your TV was manufactured.
Understanding the LG App Ecosystem
Unlike Android TV or Google TV, LG's webOS is a closed platform. That means you can only install apps that LG has approved and made available through its official store. There's no native way to sideload APK files or access third-party app marketplaces the way you might on an Android-based TV.
The LG Content Store (rebranded as the LG ThinQ App Store on newer models) is your primary — and usually only — source for apps. This includes streaming services, games, utilities, and media players. Popular platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Spotify are almost universally available. Less mainstream apps may or may not be listed depending on your region and TV model.
How to Add an App on an LG Smart TV
The core process is consistent across most modern LG Smart TVs:
- Press the Home button on your LG Magic Remote or standard remote to open the launcher bar at the bottom of the screen.
- Navigate to the LG Content Store (or Apps, depending on your webOS version). It typically appears as an icon in the launcher.
- Browse or search for the app you want. Use the search icon or voice input if your remote supports it.
- Select the app and press the Install button.
- Once installed, the app will appear in your home launcher and can be pinned for quick access.
On webOS 4.0 and earlier, the interface looks slightly different, but the path — Home → Content Store → Install — remains the same.
Managing and Organizing Your Apps 🗂️
After installing apps, you can customize their position in the launcher:
- Long-press on any app icon in the home bar to enter edit mode
- Drag apps left or right to reorder them
- Remove apps you don't use by selecting the X or Delete option while in edit mode
LG TVs do not have a traditional home screen with app grids like Android devices. Instead, apps live in a scrollable row at the bottom. The number of pinned apps visible at once is limited, so prioritizing your most-used apps matters.
Variables That Affect Which Apps Are Available
Not every app is available on every LG Smart TV. Several factors determine what you'll see in the Content Store:
| Variable | How It Affects App Availability |
|---|---|
| webOS version | Older versions (2.x, 3.x) may lack support for newer apps |
| TV model year | Manufacturers stop updating app support for older hardware |
| Geographic region | App libraries differ by country due to licensing agreements |
| App developer support | Some developers only build for newer webOS APIs |
For example, a 2016 LG Smart TV running webOS 3.0 may not have access to apps that require webOS 5.0 or later. Developers regularly drop support for older platforms, so a TV that had a full app library in 2018 may have a noticeably smaller one today.
When an App Isn't Available in the LG Content Store
If you search for an app and can't find it, your options are more limited on webOS than on Android-based platforms. A few workarounds exist:
- Screen mirroring or casting: Use LG's Screen Share, Apple AirPlay 2 (supported on 2019 models and newer), or Miracast to mirror content from a phone or laptop
- HDMI input: Connect a streaming stick (Roku, Fire Stick, Chromecast, Apple TV) to an HDMI port and use that device's app ecosystem instead
- LG ThinQ app: On newer models, LG's companion smartphone app can help manage content and occasionally bridge functionality gaps
These workarounds effectively bypass webOS's closed app environment by routing content through external hardware or protocols. 📡
webOS Version Matters More Than You'd Expect
LG has released significant changes across webOS generations:
- webOS 1.x – 3.x (2014–2017): Older interface, smaller app library, many apps no longer updated
- webOS 4.x (2018–2019): Improved performance, wider app support
- webOS 6.x (2021+): Redesigned home screen, broader app ecosystem, AirPlay and Google Assistant built in
- webOS 23/24 (2023–2024): Found on newer OLED and QNED models, with updated store and smarter content recommendations
If you're unsure which version your TV runs, go to Settings → Support → TV Information (or Software Info, depending on model).
The Piece That Only You Can Determine
Knowing the steps gets you most of the way there. But whether those steps will get you the specific app you need depends entirely on your TV's model year, your webOS version, and your region — factors no general guide can account for.
A 2023 LG C3 OLED and a 2017 LG 4K UHD share the same brand name but operate in meaningfully different app environments. Someone who just wants Netflix on a newer TV faces almost no friction. Someone looking for a niche fitness app on a five-year-old TV may hit a wall immediately. 🔍
Your TV's specific webOS version and your target app's current platform support are the two variables that will define your actual experience — and those are worth checking before assuming anything in this guide will apply cleanly to your setup.