The quickest way to add apps to an LG TV

On most LG TVs made in the last five years, you add apps through the LG Content Store, which appears as an icon on your home screen. Press the Home button on your remote, look for an icon that says "LG Content Store" or shows a shopping bag, and select it. Search for the app you want — Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Disney+, or hundreds of others — and choose "Install" or "Add". The app downloads and installs automatically, then appears on your home screen within seconds.

If you don't see the LG Content Store icon, your TV may use webOS (LG's operating system) in an older version. In that case, look for an "App Store" or "My Apps" icon instead, or press the Settings button and navigate to Apps or Applications. The process is the same: find the app, install it, and it appears on your home screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Most LG TVs use the LG Content Store to download apps, which you reach from the home screen without needing a computer or phone.
  • Popular streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ are available in the LG Content Store and install in seconds.
  • Once installed, apps stay on your home screen and open with a single remote click — you don't need to reinstall them.
  • If an app won't install, check that your TV is connected to the internet and that your LG account is signed in.

Finding apps in the LG Content Store

The LG Content Store organizes apps into categories like Streaming, Games, Utilities, and News. You can browse by category or use the search function to type in the name of the app you want. Most major streaming services — Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV+, HBO Max — are available and free to install. You pay for the service itself (if required) after the app is on your TV, not during installation.

Some apps may show as "Not Available" or "Coming Soon" if your TV model doesn't support them yet, or if they're not available in your region. This is rare for major services but can happen with smaller or newer apps. If an app you want isn't showing up, try searching for it by exact name, or check back in a few weeks — LG adds new apps regularly.

Installing apps step by step

Start by pressing the Home button on your LG remote. This takes you to the home screen, where you'll see rows of apps and services. Look for the LG Content Store icon — it usually appears in the top row or in a section labeled "Apps" or "Featured". Select it with your remote's arrow buttons and press Enter.

Once inside the Content Store, use the search function (usually at the top of the screen) to find the app you want. Type the name using your remote's keypad or on-screen keyboard. When you find the app, highlight it and press Enter to open its details page. You'll see an "Install" button (or sometimes "Add" or "Get"). Press Enter on that button, and the app begins downloading. A progress bar shows the download status. When it finishes, the button changes to "Open" or "Installed", and the app appears on your home screen.

What to do if an app won't install

The most common reason an app won't install is that your TV isn't connected to the internet. Check your internet connection by going to Settings, then Network or Wi-Fi, and confirming that your TV is connected to your home network. If the connection shows as connected but the app still won't install, try restarting your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

If the app still won't install, make sure you're signed into your LG account. Go to Settings, then Accounts or Users, and check that an LG account is active. Some apps require you to be signed in to an LG account to install them. If you don't have an LG account, you can create one for free through the Settings menu. After signing in, return to the LG Content Store and try installing the app again.

If a specific app repeatedly fails to install, it may not be compatible with your TV model or webOS version. Check the app's details page in the Content Store — it usually lists which TV models and webOS versions support it. If your TV isn't listed, the app won't work on your model, and you'll need to use an alternative service or access it through a different device.

Managing apps on your home screen

Once an app is installed, it appears on your home screen in a row with other apps. You can rearrange apps by highlighting one, pressing and holding the Enter button (or a designated menu button on your remote), and moving it left or right. Different LG remote models handle this slightly differently — some have an "Edit" or "Rearrange" option in the home screen menu — so check your remote's manual if the standard method doesn't work.

To remove an app from your home screen, highlight it, press and hold Enter (or access the Edit menu), and select "Remove" or "Delete". The app is removed from your home screen but remains installed on your TV. To reinstall it later, go back to the LG Content Store and select "Install" again — it will reinstall instantly without needing to download again. To completely uninstall an app so it takes up no storage space, go to Settings, then Apps or Applications, find the app in the list, and select "Uninstall".

Using apps from other sources

The LG Content Store covers the vast majority of apps people use on TVs — streaming services, news apps, games, and utilities. However, if you want to install an app that's not in the LG Content Store, you have limited options. Some LG TVs support sideloading, which means installing an app from a file rather than from the store, but this requires technical knowledge and isn't recommended for most users.

A simpler alternative is to use a streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast, which you connect to your LG TV via HDMI. These devices have their own app stores with thousands of options and are often cheaper than buying a new TV if you need access to apps LG doesn't support. Many people use both their TV's built-in apps and a separate streaming device for maximum flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a subscription to install apps on my LG TV?

No. Installing apps from the LG Content Store is free. You only pay for the services themselves — for example, Netflix or Disney+ require a subscription, but installing the app costs nothing. Some apps are free to use with ads, and some are paid apps, but the LG Content Store clearly labels which category each app falls into before you install.

Can I install the same app on multiple LG TVs?

Yes, if you use the same LG account on both TVs. When you're signed into your LG account, apps you install are linked to that account. If you sign into the same account on another LG TV, you can reinstall those apps instantly without downloading them again. Each TV stores its own copy of the app, so you're not limited by the number of devices.

What happens to my apps if I factory reset my TV?

A factory reset erases all apps and returns your TV to its original state. If you reset your TV, you'll need to reinstall your apps from the LG Content Store again. However, if you're signed into your LG account, the reinstallation is usually faster because the TV remembers which apps you've installed before. Your login information for individual apps (like Netflix or YouTube) is also erased, so you'll need to sign back into those services.

Why does my LG TV say an app is "Not Available"?

Apps may show as unavailable if your TV model or webOS version doesn't support them, if the app isn't released in your region yet, or if the developer has stopped supporting LG TVs. Check the app's details page to see which TV models it works with. If your TV isn't listed, that app won't work on your model. For region-specific unavailability, waiting a few weeks sometimes makes the app available as LG rolls out updates.

Can I use voice commands to install apps on my LG TV?

Some newer LG TVs with built-in voice assistants (like Google Assistant or Alexa) support voice commands to open apps that are already installed, but most don't support voice commands to install new apps. You'll typically need to use your remote to navigate to the LG Content Store and install apps manually. Check your TV's manual or settings to see if voice installation is supported on your specific model.