How to Download Apps on an LG TV: A Complete Guide
LG Smart TVs run on webOS, LG's proprietary operating system, which comes with its own built-in app store called the LG Content Store (rebranded as LG ThinQ or simply the Apps section on newer models). Downloading and installing apps is straightforward once you know where to look — but the exact steps, available apps, and compatibility can vary depending on which webOS version your TV is running.
Understanding the LG App Ecosystem
LG Smart TVs don't use the Google Play Store or Apple's App Store. Instead, they rely entirely on LG's own curated app marketplace. This means the selection of available apps is determined by LG and its developer partners — not by a third-party platform.
webOS versions play a significant role here. LG has released multiple generations of webOS (1.0 through 6.0 and beyond), and newer versions generally support a wider range of apps, improved UI navigation, and better performance. An older LG TV from 2015 running webOS 2.x will have a noticeably different app library than a 2023 model on webOS 23.
How to Download an App on an LG TV 📺
Here's the standard process for most LG Smart TVs:
- Press the Home button on your LG Magic Remote or standard remote to open the Home Screen.
- Navigate to the Apps icon — typically represented by a grid or tile on the Home screen launcher bar.
- Open the LG Content Store (on older models) or the Apps section (on webOS 22 and later).
- Browse or search for the app you want. Use the search icon to type in the app name directly.
- Select the app and click Install (free apps) or follow the purchase flow for paid apps.
- Wait for the download to complete — the app will appear on your Home screen or in the App Library.
On models with the Magic Remote, you can point and click like a mouse. On older remotes, you'll navigate using directional buttons.
What Affects Which Apps Are Available to You
Not every app shows up for every user, and several variables determine what you'll see in the store:
- webOS version: Older firmware versions may not support newer apps that require updated APIs or hardware acceleration. If an app doesn't appear in your store, your TV's webOS version may be the reason.
- Region/Country settings: App availability is heavily region-dependent. An app visible in the U.S. store may not appear in the U.K. or Australian store due to licensing agreements. Your TV's region setting (set during initial setup) controls this.
- TV model year: Some apps are optimized for or restricted to specific hardware generations. Streaming platforms occasionally drop support for older Smart TV chipsets due to DRM (digital rights management) requirements.
- Internet connection: Apps cannot be downloaded without an active internet connection. Connection quality affects download speed but not availability.
Updating and Managing Installed Apps
Once apps are installed, they don't always update automatically. To manually update:
- Go to the Apps section.
- Find the installed app, highlight it, and look for an Update option (often accessed by holding the OK button or pressing the options key).
- On newer webOS versions, you can enable auto-update in the App settings menu.
Storage space is a factor on older LG models, which had limited internal storage. Newer LG TVs generally have more headroom, but if installations fail, checking available storage in the Settings → General → About This TV section is worth doing.
When an App Isn't in the LG Store
This is where things diverge significantly based on your setup:
| Situation | What It Means |
|---|---|
| App existed before, now gone | Developer pulled support for older webOS versions |
| App never appeared | Region restriction or hardware incompatibility |
| App crashes after install | Possible firmware conflict — check for TV software updates |
| App available on phone but not TV | No webOS version exists; not all mobile apps get TV ports |
If an app you need isn't available, sideloading is technically possible on LG webOS through Developer Mode — but this is a more advanced process that involves enabling dev settings, using LG's SDK tools, and installing .ipk files manually. It carries risk, voids some warranty considerations, and isn't officially supported for end users.
Keeping Your TV's Software Current 🔄
App compatibility often improves with firmware updates. LG pushes webOS updates periodically, and keeping your TV updated ensures you're accessing the most current version of the app store with the broadest compatibility.
To check for updates: Settings → Support → Software Update → Check for Updates.
Some LG TVs also support automatic software updates — useful for ensuring app store changes and security patches are applied without manual intervention.
The Variables That Shape Your Experience
The download process itself is simple and consistent. What varies — sometimes significantly — is which apps are available to you, whether older hardware can run them reliably, and how the interface behaves across different remote types and webOS versions.
A 2022 LG OLED on webOS 22 and a 2017 LG LED on webOS 3.5 follow the same basic steps, but the app library, UI layout, storage limits, and ongoing developer support for those devices look quite different. Your specific model year, region, network setup, and which apps you actually need are what determine whether the experience is seamless or requires a workaround.