How to Download and Install Apps on Your LG Smart TV

The basic process: finding and installing apps through the LG Content Store

Most LG Smart TVs come with a built-in app store called the LG Content Store (sometimes called LG App Store depending on your model year). To read an app, press the Home button on your remote, look for an icon labeled "LG Content Store" or "Apps," and select it. From there, you can browse by category, search for a specific app by name, and select "Install" or "read" when you find what you want. The app downloads and installs automatically — you do not need to do anything else.

The whole process usually takes less than a minute for smaller apps like Netflix or Hulu. Larger apps may take a few minutes depending on your internet connection speed. Once installed, the app appears on your home screen or in your apps folder, and you can open it when ready by selecting it with your remote.

Key Takeaways

Open the LG Content Store from your TV's home screen and search for the app you want by name or browse by category.
Select the app and choose Install — it downloads and installs automatically without any additional steps from you.
Your TV needs an active internet connection (wired or Wi-Fi) for downloading to work.
If an app you want is not in the LG Content Store, you may be able to use screen mirroring or casting from your phone or computer instead.
Uninstalling an app is just as straightforward: find it on your home screen, press the Options button on your remote, and select Remove or Delete.

What you need before you start downloading

Your LG Smart TV must be connected to the internet — either through Wi-Fi or an ethernet cable plugged into the back of the TV. If you have not set up your internet connection yet, go to Settings on your home screen, select Network, and choose either Wi-Fi (to connect wirelessly) or Ethernet (if you have a cable running to your TV). Test the connection by going back to Settings and selecting Network Status to confirm you are online.

You also need an LG account to read most apps, though some TVs let you browse the store without one. If you do not have an account, the TV will prompt you to create one when you try to install an app — you can use your email address and create a password right there on the TV. This account is separate from any streaming service accounts (like Netflix or Disney+) that you may already have.

Finding specific apps in the LG Content Store

The LG Content Store organizes apps into categories like Entertainment, Sports, News, and Games. If you know the name of the app you want, use the search function — press the Home button, open the LG Content Store, and look for a search icon (usually a magnifying glass). Type the app name using your remote's keyboard or voice search if your remote has a microphone button.

If you are browsing by category, scroll through the featured apps or use the category menu to narrow down what you see. Popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu are usually featured prominently near the top. Less common apps may be buried deeper in a category or may not be available in the LG Content Store at all — in that case, you have other options covered in the next section.

What to do if an app is not in the LG Content Store

Not every app available on phones or computers is available in the LG Content Store. If you search for an app and it does not appear, you have two main alternatives. The first is screen mirroring or casting, which lets you display content from your phone or computer on your TV screen. Most LG Smart TVs support AirPlay (for iPhones and Macs) and Miracast (for Android phones and Windows computers). Open the app on your phone, look for a Cast or AirPlay button, select your TV, and the content plays on the big screen.

The second option is to check whether the app has a web version you can access through the TV's built-in web browser. Some apps like YouTube TV or Hulu have web versions that work reasonably well on a TV screen. Press Home, look for an Internet or Web Browser app, and navigate to the website. This is less convenient than a native app but works if the app itself is not available in the store.

Managing storage and removing apps you no longer use

LG Smart TVs have limited storage space, and downloading many large apps can slow down your TV or prevent you from installing new ones. To check how much storage you have left, go to Settings, select Storage or Memory, and look at the available space. If you are running low, uninstall apps you do not use regularly.

To remove an app, find it on your home screen or in your apps folder, press the Options button on your remote (usually marked with three lines or a gear icon), and select Remove, Delete, or Uninstall. The app disappears when ready, and you can reinstall it later from the LG Content Store if you change your mind. Uninstalling does not affect any accounts or settings you have saved within the app — when you reinstall it, you can log back in with the same username and password.

Troubleshooting when downloads fail or get stuck

If an app fails to read or gets stuck partway through, the most common cause is a weak or interrupted internet connection. Check that your TV is still connected to Wi-Fi or ethernet by going to Settings and selecting Network Status. If the connection looks fine, try restarting your TV — unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up before trying again.

If the problem persists, try clearing the cache for the LG Content Store itself. Go to Settings, select Apps or Applications, find LG Content Store in the list, and select Clear Cache or Clear Data. Then go back to the store and try downloading again. If you still cannot read after that, restart your router (unplug it for 30 seconds) to refresh your internet connection, or contact your internet provider to check whether your connection speed is fast enough for app downloads.

Keeping your apps updated

Most LG Smart TVs update apps automatically in the background, especially if you leave your TV in standby mode overnight. You can check for updates manually by opening the LG Content Store, looking for a My Apps or Updates section, and selecting any apps that show an Update button. Keeping apps current ensures they work smoothly and fixes security issues, so it is worth doing periodically even if automatic updates are turned on.

If you want to turn automatic updates on or off, go to Settings, find Apps or Applications, and look for an Auto Update or Update Settings option. Most people leave this on so they do not have to think about it, but you can disable it if you prefer to update manually or if you have limited internet bandwidth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for apps in the LG Content Store?

Most popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video are free to read, though they may require a paid subscription to use. Some apps are paid upfront — you will see a price listed instead of an Install button. Read the description before selecting Install to understand whether the app is free or costs money.

Can I use my phone's apps on my LG TV?

Not directly — apps built for phones do not work on TVs. However, you can cast or mirror content from your phone to your TV using AirPlay or Miracast, which lets you watch phone apps on the big screen. Some apps also have separate TV versions available in the LG Content Store.

What if my LG TV is very old — will it still have the LG Content Store?

Older LG Smart TVs may have a different app store or a more limited selection. Check your TV's home screen for an Apps or Content Store icon. If you cannot find one, your TV may not support app downloads, but you can still use screen mirroring from your phone or computer to watch streaming services.

Can I sideload apps or install apps from outside the LG Content Store?

LG Smart TVs do not support sideloading apps the way Android phones do. You are limited to apps available in the official LG Content Store. If an app is not there, screen mirroring or casting from your phone is your best option.

Why does my TV say "Not enough storage" when I try to read an app?

Your TV's storage is full. Uninstall apps you do not use, clear the cache from Settings, or delete any downloaded files or recordings. After freeing up space, try the read again. If you regularly run out of storage, consider uninstalling less-used apps to keep space available for new ones.

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.