How to Add Apps to Your LG Smart TV

The fastest way to add an app to your LG Smart TV

Most LG Smart TVs come with an app store built into the TV itself. You navigate to it using your remote, search for the app you want, and install it directly to the TV — no computer needed. The whole process takes about five minutes for most people, and the app appears on your home screen immediately after installation.

The exact steps depend slightly on which LG TV model you own, because LG uses two different operating systems: webOS (the newer system on most TVs made after 2016) and NetCast (older models). Both work the same way in practice, but the menu names are slightly different. This guide covers webOS, which is what most readers will have.

Key Takeaways

Open the LG Content Store from your home screen, search for the app by name, and select Install — the app downloads and appears on your home screen within minutes.
Your TV must be connected to the internet by WiFi or ethernet cable before you can download any app.
If you cannot find an app in the LG Content Store, it may not be available for your TV model or your region, and you may need to use a different device like a Roku stick or Fire Stick instead.
Restarting your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds fixes most problems with apps that won't download or won't open after installation.

Check that your TV is connected to the internet

Apps download over your WiFi or ethernet connection, so your TV must be online before you start. Press the Home button on your remote to go to the home screen, then look for a WiFi icon in the top corner — it looks like curved lines stacked on top of each other. If you see it and it has a checkmark or is filled in, you are connected.

If the WiFi icon is missing or shows an X, your TV is not connected. Go to Settings (usually a gear icon on the home screen), select Network, then WiFi, and choose your network name from the list. Enter your WiFi password if prompted. Wait 30 seconds for the connection to complete, then go back to the home screen and check the WiFi icon again.

If you have an ethernet cable plugged into the back of your TV, you are already connected and do not need to set up WiFi — the icon may not appear, but the connection is active.

Open the LG Content Store and search for your app

From your home screen, look for an icon labeled "LG Content Store" or sometimes just "Store" — it usually looks like a shopping bag or storefront. Select it with your remote and wait for the store to load. This takes 10 to 20 seconds on the first visit.

Once the store opens, you will see a search box at the top of the screen. Use your remote to highlight it and press the center button (or OK button) to open the keyboard. Type the name of the app you want — for example, Netflix, YouTube, or Hulu. The TV will show you matching results as you type.

Scroll down through the results and select the app you want. Make sure you are selecting the official version — look for the app name and the company logo. Third-party versions sometimes appear in the results and may not work properly.

Install the app and wait for it to finish

Once you select the app, you will see an Install button (or sometimes a Get button). Select it with your remote and press OK. The TV will begin downloading the app immediately — you will see a progress bar or a spinning circle while it installs.

Do not turn off your TV or unplug it while the app is installing. Most apps take between one and five minutes to download and install, depending on the size of the app and your internet speed. When installation finishes, the button will change to Open or Launch.

You can select Open to start the app right away, or you can go back to your home screen and find the app in your app list. The app will stay on your TV until you delete it, even if you turn off the TV or unplug it.

What to do if the app won't download or won't open

The most common fix is to restart your TV. Unplug the power cable from the back of the TV (or from the wall outlet), wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears the TV's memory and often fixes download problems or apps that crash when you try to open them.

If an app still will not download after a restart, check your internet connection again — go to Settings, Network, and look for a Connected or Status option. If the connection shows as disconnected, reconnect to your WiFi using the steps in the "Check that your TV is connected to the internet" section above.

If the app downloads but will not open, try uninstalling it and installing it again. Go to Settings, Apps, find the app in the list, select it, and choose Uninstall. Then go back to the LG Content Store and install it fresh. This usually takes less than five minutes total.

Apps that are not available in the LG Content Store

Not every app is available for LG Smart TVs. Some apps are only made for other TV brands, and some apps are not available in your region. If you search for an app and it does not appear in the LG Content Store, it is not available for your TV — there is no way to force it to install.

Your options are to use the app on a different device (like a phone or tablet) and cast it to your TV if the app supports casting, or to buy a separate streaming device like an Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, or Roku stick and plug it into your TV's HDMI port. These devices have their own app stores and often have apps that LG Smart TVs do not support.

Before you buy a separate device, check the app's website or app store listing to see if it mentions LG TV support. Some apps add LG support over time, so an app that was not available last year might be available now.

Managing apps on your home screen

Once you install an app, it appears on your home screen automatically. If you want to rearrange your apps, move your remote to highlight an app, press and hold the OK button, and select Move or Rearrange from the menu that appears. Use your remote to move the app to a new spot, then press OK to drop it there.

If you want to remove an app from your home screen without deleting it completely, highlight the app, press and hold OK, and select Remove from Home or Hide. The app stays installed on your TV but disappears from the home screen. You can find it again in your Apps list in Settings.

To delete an app completely from your TV, go to Settings, Apps, find the app in the list, select it, and choose Uninstall. This frees up storage space on your TV. You can always reinstall the app later from the LG Content Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install apps from outside the LG Content Store?

No. LG Smart TVs only allow you to install apps from the official LG Content Store. You cannot sideload apps from a USB drive or download them from a website and install them manually. If an app is not in the LG Content Store, your only option is to use it on a different device or buy a separate streaming device.

Why does my TV say "Storage Full" when I try to install an app?

Your TV has limited built-in storage, and apps take up space. Uninstall apps you no longer use to free up room. Go to Settings, Apps, select an app you want to remove, and choose Uninstall. After you delete a few apps, try installing the new app again. If you still run out of space, you may need to delete more apps or consider a different TV model with more storage.

Do I need to pay for apps, or are they all free?

Some apps are free, and some cost money. The LG Content Store will show you the price before you install — if it says Free, there is no charge. If it shows a dollar amount, you will need to enter a payment method (usually a credit card linked to an LG account) before installation begins. Read the price carefully before you select Install.

What if I forget my LG account password?

Go to Settings, Accounts, and select your LG account. Look for a Forgot Password or Reset Password option. You will be asked to enter the email address associated with your account, and LG will send you a password reset link. Follow the link on your phone or computer to create a new password, then use the new password on your TV.

Can I install the same app on multiple LG TVs?

Yes, if the TVs are linked to the same LG account. Sign in to your LG account on each TV using Settings, Accounts. Once you are signed in on all your TVs, you can install an app on one TV and it will be available to install on the others — you do not have to download it separately each time. Some paid apps may have restrictions on how many devices you can use at once, so check the app's terms if you are using a subscription service.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.