Smart TVs have been a game changer and are now an indispensable part of many of our living rooms. They not only stream TV in high definition or Ultra HD, but can access the internet, browse the web, use apps like Netflix and Hulu, and some can even play games. Smart TVs, like most smart devices, will need to be kept up to date, which is what this tutorial is about. How to Update Apps on LG Smart TV.
I'll also show you how to update your TV's firmware and set everything up so you don't have to.
LG uses the WebOS platform which allows applications to be developed quickly and kept up to date. It is a reliable platform that works on multiple types of TVs and is compatible with a wide range of applications. The LG App Store testifies to the number of developers who want to work with LG!
To update apps on an LG smart TV, you must first check for new firmware because apps may not work properly if they are updated to new firmware but you don't have it yet.
Update Firmware on LG Smart TV
Smart TV firmware is released periodically to add new features, strengthen existing code, fix bugs, or make it more stable or secure. They are not released as often as phone firmware for example, but on a schedule that only LG knows.
Similar to updating your phone, apps may need updating after a firmware update. It all depends on what has changed in the firmware. If this was a major change, chances are LG apps will need to be updated to stay compatible. Since the apps are inside the firmware, it makes sense to update them first and the apps second.
To update the firmware on an LG Smart TV:
- Record your TV's model number on the label on the back or in the user manual.
- Turn on the TV and use the remote control to access the house.
- Go to Setup & Support.
- Match the firmware with the TV model and select Download and Install.
If that doesn't work but a newer firmware version is available, you can download it to your computer and load it from a USB drive.
- Go to the LG support website.
- Enter your TV model in the Model Number box.
- Select the firmware version you want to download and select Download this file.
- Copy this file to your USB drive without making any changes.
- Insert the USB key into your TV and let it detect the key.
- Access Setup & Support with the remote.
- Select Install from File and point the TV to the USB drive.
- Let the TV update.
Reading from USB will take a few minutes, but your TV should install the new firmware, reboot several times, and then load using the new installation.
Update Apps on an LG Smart TV
Now that your firmware is up to date, you can safely update your apps. You will need to load the LG Content Store for this to happen. If you're using a newer smart TV, the apps should update automatically and you don't have to do anything.
If the apps are not updating, open each one to ask for verification and you may or may not see an update notification.
LG's smart TV apps usually take care of themselves. They update themselves and will automatically detect a firmware change once you update the TV itself. It is a very simple system that requires minimal management. It may happen that an app is not updated, but all you have to do is uninstall it and reinstall it again.
Set Up Automatic Updates on an LG Smart TV
My parents' LG smart TV that I'm using for this tutorial had automatic updates already turned on, but I know that's not always the case. If you need to set it to take care of itself, which you should, here's how.
- Turn on the TV and select Home on the remote.
- Select Settings and All Settings.
- Select General and About this TV.
- Check the box next to Allow automatic updates.
- You can check for updates while you're at it if you haven't updated everything using this tutorial.
Once you set up automatic updates, the TV manages itself. Whenever you turn it on and it has a wireless connection, it will check for firmware and app updates. Now you don't have to do anything to keep it up to date!
