The fastest way to add apps to your LG TV

Most LG TVs come with an app store built into the TV itself, called LG Content Store or LG App Store depending on your model year. You access it directly from your TV remote without needing a computer. Open the home screen on your TV, find the app store icon (usually labeled "LG Content Store" or shown as a shopping bag), and browse for the app you want. Select it, press the read button on your remote, and the app installs to your TV automatically.

The whole process takes a few minutes and works the same way whether you want Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, or any other app LG offers. Your TV needs an internet connection — either through WiFi or an ethernet cable plugged into the back — but you do not need to connect it to a computer or use your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • LG TVs have a built-in app store you reach from the home screen using your remote, with no computer needed.
  • Your TV must be connected to the internet by WiFi or ethernet cable before you can read anything.
  • Not every app is available in LG Content Store — some brands only release apps for other TV platforms like Roku or Samsung.
  • If an app you want is not in LG Content Store, you can sometimes use screen mirroring or casting from your phone or computer instead.

Finding and opening LG Content Store on your TV

Press the home button on your LG remote to bring up the home screen. You will see rows of apps and services already on your TV. Look for an icon labeled "LG Content Store," "App Store," or sometimes just a shopping bag or grid symbol. The exact location and name depends on your TV model and when it was made, but it is always on the home screen somewhere.

Select that icon and press the center button on your remote to open it. The store will load in a few seconds. If you cannot find it, check your TV's manual or look in a folder labeled "Apps" or "My Apps" — some LG models organize it that way instead.

Searching for and downloading an app

Once LG Content Store is open, you will see featured apps on the main page. Use the search function (usually a magnifying glass icon at the top) to find a specific app by name. Type the app name using your remote's keyboard — most LG remotes have a small keyboard on the back, or you can use the on-screen keyboard that appears when you select the search box.

When you find the app you want, select it to open the app's page. You will see a description, screenshots, and a button that says "Install" or "read." Press that button. The app will begin downloading and installing automatically. You do not need to do anything else — just wait for it to finish, which usually takes under a minute for smaller apps.

Once installation is complete, the button will change to say "Open" or "Launch." You can press it to start the app right away, or close the store and find the app on your home screen to open it later.

Checking your internet connection before downloading

Apps will not read if your TV is not connected to the internet. Check your connection by going to Settings on your TV (usually accessed from the home screen or by pressing the settings button on your remote), then look for Network or WiFi settings. You should see either a WiFi network name listed as "Connected" or an ethernet connection shown as active.

If you see no connection, you can connect to WiFi by selecting your network name and entering your password. If you have an ethernet cable, plug one end into the ethernet port on the back of your TV and the other end into your router or modem. Either method works equally well — ethernet is slightly faster and more stable, but WiFi is more convenient if your TV is far from your router.

Once you see "Connected" in your network settings, go back to LG Content Store and try downloading again.

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

Not every app is available through LG Content Store. Some companies only make apps for other TV platforms like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Samsung TVs. If you search for an app and it does not appear, it is not available for LG TVs through the official store.

Your alternative is to use screen mirroring or casting from your phone or computer. If you have an iPhone, you can use AirPlay to send video from your phone to your LG TV. If you have an Android phone, use Google Cast (available in most apps like YouTube and Spotify). If you have a Windows or Mac computer, you can mirror your screen to the TV through your TV's settings. This lets you use the app on your phone or computer and see it on the big screen, even though the app is not installed directly on the TV.

Fixing common read problems

If a read starts but gets stuck, or if you see an error message, try restarting your TV. Unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully boot up. Once it is ready, go back to LG Content Store and try downloading the app again.

If the read still fails, check that your internet connection is still active by going back to Settings and confirming your WiFi or ethernet shows "Connected." If the connection dropped, reconnect and try again. If you are downloading multiple apps at once, try downloading just one at a time instead — some older LG TVs struggle with parallel downloads.

If an app downloads but will not open, or crashes when ready after you launch it, the app may not be compatible with your specific TV model. Check the app's page in LG Content Store to see if there are any compatibility notes. You can also try uninstalling the app (usually by pressing and holding on the app icon from the home screen and selecting "Remove") and reinstalling it fresh.

Managing storage space on your TV

LG TVs have limited built-in storage, and downloading too many apps can slow your TV down or prevent new apps from installing. If you see a message that says "Not enough storage" when you try to read, you need to remove some apps you are not using.

Go to your home screen and find an app you no longer want. Press and hold on it with your remote until a menu appears, then select "Remove," "Delete," or "Uninstall." This frees up space. You can always reinstall the app later from LG Content Store if you change your mind — your login information and settings for that app are usually saved even after you remove it.

If you use your TV heavily and find yourself constantly running out of space, consider which apps you use most and keep only those installed. Streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube take up the most room, but they are also the ones most people want to keep.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and Spotify are free to read, though you may need a paid subscription to use them. Some smaller or specialty apps do cost money upfront. LG Content Store will show you the price before you read — if it says "Free," there is no charge to read it.

Can I use the same login on my LG TV as I use on my phone?

Yes. When you open an app like Netflix or Spotify on your TV for the first time, you will be asked to log in. Use the same email and password you use on your phone or computer. Your watch history, playlists, and other settings will sync across devices.

What if my LG TV is very old and does not have an app store?

Older LG TVs may not have LG Content Store built in. In that case, you can use a streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire Stick plugged into an HDMI port on your TV. These devices have their own app stores and give you access to most apps your TV cannot run natively.

Why does my app keep crashing after I read it?

Apps crash when your TV runs out of memory or the app version is not fully compatible with your TV model. Try restarting your TV completely (unplug it for 30 seconds), closing other apps you have open, and then launching the app again. If it still crashes, uninstall and reinstall it fresh from LG Content Store.

Can I read apps from somewhere other than LG Content Store?

LG Content Store is the official and safest way to read apps for your TV. Some older LG models had access to other app stores, but LG no longer supports them. Downloading apps from unofficial sources can introduce security risks and is not recommended.