How to Install Apps on an LG Smart TV

LG Smart TVs run webOS, the company's proprietary operating system, which manages everything from the home screen layout to how apps are discovered, downloaded, and updated. Unlike Android-based smart TVs, webOS uses a curated ecosystem — meaning the process is straightforward for supported apps, but more involved if you want something outside the official store.

Here's a clear breakdown of how the process works, what affects it, and where your own setup becomes the deciding factor.

The Standard Method: LG Content Store (webOS 3.x–5.x) and LG ThinQ App Store (webOS 6+)

On most LG Smart TVs, installing apps follows a consistent path:

1. Press the Home button on your remote
2. Navigate to the LG Content Store (older models) or the Apps section of the home launcher (newer models running webOS 6 or later)
3. Browse by category or use the search function
4. Select the app and choose Install
5. The app installs automatically and appears on your home screen

That's it for the majority of popular apps — Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Spotify, Prime Video, and similar services are almost always available this way.

webOS Version Matters More Than You Might Expect

LG has shipped webOS across a wide range, and the version your TV runs directly affects which apps are available and how the interface looks.

Older webOS versions receive fewer new app additions. An app that's readily available on a 2023 LG TV may simply not exist in the store for a 2015 model — not because LG removed it, but because it was never developed for that platform version.

What Happens When an App Isn't in the Store

This is where things branch depending on your situation.

Option 1: Check for a Browser Workaround

webOS includes a built-in web browser. Some streaming services offer web-based access, which means you can load a URL and watch content without a native app. The experience varies — some services work smoothly, others are limited or unsupported entirely.

Option 2: Sideloading via Developer Mode 🛠️

LG does allow developer mode on webOS, which makes it technically possible to install apps that aren't listed in the official store. The process involves:

• Creating an LG Developer account
• Enabling Developer Mode on the TV through the settings menu
• Using LG's webOS Dev App (available on iOS and Android) or the command-line ares-install tool to push .ipk app packages to the TV

This is a legitimate feature LG provides, but it's designed for app developers — not casual users. The steps require comfort with developer tools, and developer mode sessions expire every 24 hours unless renewed, which means sideloaded apps stop working if the session lapses. This is a meaningful limitation for daily use.

Option 3: Streaming Devices as a Workaround

Some users connect an external device — a Fire TV Stick, Roku, Apple TV, or Chromecast with Google TV — via HDMI. This bypasses the webOS app ecosystem entirely and gives access to whatever that device's app store supports. This isn't "installing an app on the LG TV" in a strict sense, but it solves the same underlying problem for many people.

Updating and Managing Installed Apps

Once apps are installed, LG Smart TVs handle updates differently depending on the webOS version:

• Automatic updates can often be enabled through the Content Store or App settings
• Manual updates are available by visiting the app listing in the store and selecting Update
• Apps can be uninstalled by holding the OK button on the app icon in the launcher and selecting the option to delete

Storage space is generally not a major concern for most users — LG TVs reserve onboard storage for apps — but if you install a large number of apps, you may eventually see notifications about space.

Factors That Shape Your Specific Experience 📺

Several variables determine what the process actually looks like for you:

• Your TV's webOS version — the single biggest factor in app availability and interface design
• Your region — the LG Content Store is region-specific, and app availability differs by country
• The app developer's support — some services simply haven't built or maintained a webOS app
• Your comfort level with developer tools — sideloading is possible but genuinely technical
• Whether you already own a streaming stick — if so, the tradeoffs of that route shift significantly

A user with a 2022 LG OLED in the US asking about Netflix has a completely different situation than someone with a 2016 LG TV in a market where a specific streaming app was never released. The mechanism of installing apps is consistent — the outcomes aren't.

Understanding which version of webOS your TV runs, what your regional store actually offers, and how much friction you're willing to tolerate for unsupported apps are the pieces that turn general knowledge into a working answer for your specific setup.