LG Smart TV Apps: The Hidden Gems You Might Be Missing Out On

Discover the Top Streaming LG Smart TV Apps

LG TVs provide instant access to today’s most popular streaming platforms. From blockbuster movies and binge-worthy series on Netflix to the latest viral videos on YouTube, LG puts endless entertainment at your fingertips. Here are some of the top apps available:

• Netflix – Watch Netflix originals, documentaries, comedies, dramas, and more in gorgeous 4K quality. Use the app’s personalized recommendations to discover new favourite shows.
• Hulu – Stream current seasons of hit TV series the day after they air. Hulu also offers acclaimed original programming and a growing movie library.
• YouTube – Explore the world of YouTube through the dedicated smart TV app. Easily find and watch the latest viral videos, music videos, tutorials, and more in up to 4K resolution.
• Prime Video – As an Amazon Prime member, watch Exclusive Original series like The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel along with popular movies, all included with your membership.

Beyond streaming video, LG’s webOS platform also provides quick access to apps like Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio so you can enjoy millions of songs, custom radio stations, and podcasts. With new apps continually added, you’ll always find exciting entertainment to enjoy on your LG Smart TV.

Tip:

Discover Essential Apps for Your LG Smart TV

Must-Have Entertainment Apps

Your LG smart TV opens up a world of entertainment possibilities. Here are some of the best entertainment apps that every LG TV owner should download:

• Netflix – The world’s most popular streaming service has an easy-to-use app with top original shows, movies, and documentaries. From Stranger Things to The Crown, Netflix offers acclaimed, binge-worthy content.
• Hulu – This app provides the latest episodes of popular shows the day after they air, along with Hulu originals like The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s a must for cord-cutters.
• YouTube – Watch the latest viral videos, music videos, movie trailers, how-tos, and more on YouTube. The app makes it easy to find what you want to watch.

Essential Apps for Sports Fans

Don’t miss a minute of the big game – get these sports apps on your LG TV:

App	Key Features
ESPN	Stream live sports like Monday Night Football, access highlights, and watch sports news and analysis.
CBS Sports	Catch live CBS sports programming and on demand replays of top events.
NBA	Immerse yourself in pro basketball with live game streams, highlights, and more.

With these essential sports apps, you’ll never miss a moment of the sports you love. Track your favourite teams and get alerts when games are about to start.

Can’t-Miss App for Movie Buffs

If you love movies, one app you absolutely need on your LG smart TV is Fandango NOW. Fandango NOW has over 100,000 new release and catalogue movies to buy or rent, including the latest blockbusters and 4K titles. You can:

• Rent hit movies fresh out of theatres
• Buy movies to add to your digital collection
• Access your purchases anywhere, on any device
• Pre-order upcoming releases
• Browse recommendations personalized for your taste

As film critic Richard Roeper raves, “Fandango NOW has the deepest catalogue of new releases and hard-to-find gems; it’s a cinephile’s dream!”

So grab some popcorn, and download Fandango NOW to make any night a movie night with your LG TV!

How to Enhance Your LG Smart TV with Additional Apps

The app store on your LG Smart TV offers a wide selection of streaming, gaming, and other apps to choose from. However, you may want to expand your options even further. Thankfully, it’s easy to install additional apps on your LG TV.

Enabling Third-Party App Sources

By default, your LG Smart TV can only download apps from LG’s official Content Store. To add apps from other sources:

1. From your TV’s home screen, go to Settings > General > Safety > Unknown Sources and enable this option.
2. This allows you to install apps from third parties outside of LG’s Content Store.

Using ADB to Sideload Apps

One option for adding more apps is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to sideload APK files onto your LG Smart TV. To do this:

1. On your computer, install ADB tools and drivers.
2. Connect your computer and LG TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Open a command prompt/terminal on your computer.
4. Type adb connect xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx using your TV’s IP address.
5. Install your desired APK using adb install example.apk.

This allows you to manually install any compatible Android app APK file onto your LG TV. It’s a more complex but versatile installation method.

Installation Method	Ease of Use	App Selection
LG Content Store	Very Easy	Limited
Sideloading APKs with ADB	Complex	Extensive

As you can see, using ADB for sideloading enables access to many more apps, but the process is more technically demanding. Evaluate your needs to decide which installation method is best.

Trying New LG Smart TV Apps

Once you’ve enabled additional app sources or set up ADB, try installing some new apps on your LG TV to enhance its capabilities:

• Media Apps like Kodi or Plex for centralized media libraries
• Utility Apps like Google Assistant for smart home control
• Communication Apps like Skype for VOIP video calls

With some customization, you can transform your LG Smart TV into an even more useful smart hub. Enable third-party apps today to get more value out of your television.

Compatibility of Google Play Apps with LG Smart TV

Can I Install Google Play Store Apps on My LG TV?

Unfortunately, LG Smart TVs do not natively support installing apps from the Google Play Store. LG uses its own proprietary webOS platform and LG Content Store for apps instead of Android TV.

However, there are a few possible workarounds:

• Use screen mirroring to display Google Play apps from your Android smartphone or tablet on your LG Smart TV screen.
• Install an Android TV set-top box like the Nvidia Shield TV or Xiaomi Mi Box. These run a modified version of Android TV and provide full access to Google Play apps which you can then view on your LG TV screen.
• Use a third party app store like Aptoide TV to sideload Android apps onto your LG TV. However, compatibility issues may exist.

Best Apps for LG Smart TVs

Instead of Google Play, the best way to find apps for your LG Smart TV is to use the LG Content Store built into your TV’s webOS platform. Here are some of the top free and paid apps available from the LG Content Store:

YouTube	Official app to watch YouTube videos
Netflix	Stream movies and shows
Hulu	Watch Hulu Originals and TV shows
Spotify	Stream music
Amazon Prime Video	Watch Amazon Prime movies and shows

These official apps are optimized for LG TVs and offer the best viewing experience. The LG Content Store also provides other entertainment, sports, lifestyle and information apps tailored specifically for LG Smart TVs.

Tips for Using Apps on LG TV

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of apps on your LG Smart TV:

• Browse apps directly on your TV using the LG Content Store
• Manage your downloads through the Purchases section
• Connect wireless headphones to your LG TV for private listening
• Use the input button on your remote to switch between apps
• Adjust app permissions in your TV’s settings menu

Streamlining Your Viewing Experience

Customizing Your LG Smart TV Home Screen

The home screen is the gateway to streaming content on your LG smart TV. Customizing it to suit your preferences and usage patterns can greatly improve your viewing experience. Here are some tips:

• Remove unused apps – Delete pre-installed apps you don’t use to declutter your home screen.
• Re-arrange app order – Long press an app icon and drag to place frequently used apps near the top.
• Create folders – Organize less used apps into folders to save space on your home screen.
• Add favourite channels – Pin your most-watched channels for quick access.

Optimizing App Settings For Performance

Adjusting certain app settings can prevent streaming problems and create a smoother viewing experience on your LG smart TV:

• Enable auto updates – Keep your apps updated to fix bugs and get the latest features.
• Disable background app refresh – Prevent unnecessary data usage and performance lag.
• Clear app cache and data – Removing temporary app files frees up storage space.
• Check internet speed – Ensure you have the recommended minimum internet speeds for smooth streaming.

Fine-tuning your LG smart TV home screen and app settings takes a bit of time upfront but really pays off through faster load times, less buffering, and easier app discovery. For more tips, visit our TV Remote Control section.

What Every LG Smart TV Owner Needs to Know

Misconceptions About LG Smart TV Apps

Many LG smart TV owners believe that the apps that come pre-installed can’t be deleted or replaced. However, this is a misconception – you have full control over the apps on your LG TV. You can add new apps, delete unnecessary ones, and even set replaces as the default.

Another common misunderstanding is that you have to use LG’s own app store. This isn’t the case. Your LG smart TV gives you access to multiple major app stores, including Google Play. You have options beyond LG’s offerings.

LG TV Tips For Managing Apps

Here are some useful tips to help you manage apps on your LG smart TV:

• Check pre-installed app permissions – disable anything unnecessary
• Add new apps from the LG Content Store or Google Play
• Delete unused apps for more storage space
• Set preferences for automatic app updates

The key is customizing your smart TV to showcase the apps you actually use. Don’t settle for the default or feel you can’t make changes.

Curating Your App Library

Treating your LG smart TV app library like a streaming channel guide you curate, not a static list you’re stuck with, will ensure you get the most out of your LG TV.

Evaluate all your viewing preferences across streaming, music, games, and utilities. Add the must-have apps for those needs. Delete the fluff you don’t use. Set up any parental controls needed. Determine if auto-updates work for you or if you’d rather manage app versions yourself.

Smart TV

Exploring App Limitations and Enhancements

Current Shortcomings of LG Smart TV Apps

LG’s Smart TV platform offers a wide variety of apps, yet there is room for improvement. Some key limitations include:

• Limited app selection compared to dedicated streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV
• Outdated or buggy apps that are not frequently updated
• Slow performance and long load times for certain graphically-rich apps
• Lack of customization options for the home screen and app organization

A Consumer Reports review sums it up: The app selection falls short of dedicated streamers from Roku and Amazon, and the interface can be confusing to navigate. Clearly enhancements to the Smart TV experience would be welcomed by users.

Potential Improvements and New Capabilities

Here are some exciting innovations LG could introduce to address current limitations:

• Partnerships with more streaming services and content providers for wider app selection
• Faster processors and updated software for smoother streaming and activities like gaming
• Intuitive search and personalized recommendations to easily find desired content
• Custom app folders, favourites lists, and profiles for each user
• Screen mirroring from other devices like phones or tablets for seamless connectivity
• Voice control via digital assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant or LG’s own ThinQ AI

Enhancement	Benefit for Users
Wider app selection	Access more streaming services without extra devices
Smoother performance	Better experience playing games & using graphics-rich apps

As this overview shows, LG has opportunities to upgrade their Smart TV platform for both improved usability and exciting new capabilities. Implementing such enhancements would enable their TVs to better compete with other smart devices providing streaming content and apps. With refined software and strategic partnerships, LG can deliver exceptional viewing experiences to match their state-of-the-art display technology.

What enhancements would you most like to see on LG’s Smart TV platform? Share your thoughts below.

Frequently Asked Questions