How To Install 3rd Party Apps On LG Smart TV WebOS

Khalid
Updated on December 5, 2025

tutorial

Learning how to install 3rd party apps on LG Smart TV WebOS starts with understanding what “third party” really means on this platform. LG TVs do not run Android, so you cannot just drop an APK file on a USB drive and expect it to work. Instead, you add third-party streaming apps through the LG Content Store, or, if you are more advanced, sideload WebOS apps using Developer Mode and a PC.

This guide walks you through the supported options to get more apps on your LG Smart TV WebOS. You will see how to use the LG Content Store, how to use WebOS Developer Mode to sideload compatible IPK files, and when it makes more sense to plug in an external streaming device instead of forcing unsupported installations.

Use this quick overview if you just want the main options before you decide how deep you want to go into WebOS.

Use the LG Content Store to install supported third-party streaming apps and services directly on your LG Smart TV WebOS.
Turn on WebOS Developer Mode and sideload compatible IPK apps from a PC if you are comfortable with developer tools.
Connect a streaming device like a Roku, Fire TV Stick, or Apple TV to an HDMI port when the app you need is not available for WebOS at all.

What You Need Before You Start

Because WebOS is different from Android, you need to set realistic expectations before you try to install unknown apps on an LG TV. The platform only runs WebOS apps, and most consumers will stay inside the LG Content Store for third-party apps like streaming services and music apps.

Confirm your TV is an LG Smart TV running WebOS and connected to the internet.
Make sure you can sign in with an LG account, which you will need for the LG Content Store and Developer Mode.
Decide if you only need common streaming apps, or if you specifically want to sideload custom or regional WebOS apps.

Method 1: Install Third-Party Apps From The LG Content Store

For most people, the best way to install 3rd party apps on LG Smart TV WebOS is to use the LG Content Store. Many popular services are “third-party” apps, but they are still fully supported and easy to install.

Press the Home button on your LG remote to open the WebOS launcher bar.
Select the LG Content Store icon from the row of apps on the screen.
Choose the Apps or All Apps section to browse available third-party apps.

Use the on-screen Search option to look for a specific app you want to add.

Select the app you want, review the description, supported WebOS versions, and any region limits.
Choose Install, then wait while the app downloads and installs on your LG Smart TV.

Press Home again and launch the new app from your installed apps row.

This method covers most common needs, including streaming video services, music platforms, fitness apps, and other supported third-party apps available for your region and WebOS version.

Method 2: Use Developer Mode To Sideload WebOS Apps

If you want to install truly custom third-party apps on LG WebOS that are not in the LG Content Store, you must sideload WebOS IPK packages. This is an advanced process designed for developers and testers, but it is the only supported way to sideload apps on a WebOS TV. You cannot sideload Android APK files on LG WebOS.

At a high level, you install the Developer Mode app on the TV, turn on Dev Mode, then connect from a PC using the WebOS command line tools to install an IPK file.

Turn On Developer Mode On Your LG Smart TV

Sign up for an LG Developer account on a computer so you can log in on the TV later.
On the TV, press Home, open the LG Content Store, and search for Developer Mode.
Install the Developer Mode app, then launch it from the WebOS launcher bar.
Sign in with the same email and password you used for your LG Developer account.
Turn Dev Mode Status on inside the app and wait while the TV reboots into Developer Mode.
After reboot, reopen the Developer Mode app and note the IP Address and any Passphrase shown on-screen.

Set Up Your PC For WebOS Sideloading

To actually install third-party WebOS apps, your PC needs the WebOS TV command line tools. The PC and TV must be on the same network for this to work reliably.

On your PC, install the official WebOS TV CLI tools by following LG’s instructions for your operating system.
Open a terminal or command prompt window once the tools are installed.
Use the ares-setup-device command to add your TV as a target, entering the TV’s IP address and developer account details when prompted.
Run ares-setup-device --list to confirm the TV appears as a device profile you can target.
Make sure the IPK file for the third-party WebOS app is saved somewhere easy to reach on your PC.

Install An IPK App On Your LG Smart TV WebOS

Once Developer Mode is active and your PC can see the TV, you can install compatible IPK apps. This is the core of sideloading apps on an LG WebOS TV.

Keep the Developer Mode app open on your TV so the session stays active.
On your PC, run the ares-install command with your TV device name and the path to the IPK file.
Wait for a success message from the WebOS CLI indicating the app installed correctly.
On the TV, press Home and look for the new third-party app icon in the launcher bar or All Apps section.
Launch the app and confirm it opens and displays correctly on the WebOS interface.
When you are done testing or no longer need the app, remove it with the ares-install --remove command or directly from the TV’s app management menu.

Sideloading apps on LG Smart TV WebOS in this way is best reserved for trusted IPK files from known developers, because Developer Mode bypasses some of the protections you get when you only use the LG Content Store.

Method 3: Use An External Streaming Device For Missing Apps

Sometimes the app you want simply does not exist for WebOS. In that case, the most practical way to get third-party apps on an LG TV is to let a streaming device handle the apps and use your TV as the screen.

Choose a streaming device that supports your missing apps, such as a Roku, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, or a compatible game console.
Plug the device into an available HDMI port on the back or side of your LG Smart TV.
Use the LG remote to select the correct HDMI input from the WebOS home screen.
Follow the on-screen setup steps for the streaming device and sign in to your preferred third-party apps.
Leave WebOS to handle picture settings and sound, while the connected device runs any apps that are not supported natively on WebOS.

This workaround does not install the apps directly on WebOS, but it is often the fastest way to add unsupported services without fighting platform limitations.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

When you learn how to install 3rd party apps on LG Smart TV WebOS, you may run into common errors. These issues usually fall into app compatibility problems, Developer Mode limitations, or basic network settings that need to be corrected.

LG TV Says The File Type Is Not Supported

Remember that WebOS does not support Android APK files, so APK downloads will not install on an LG Smart TV.
Verify the file you are trying to sideload is a WebOS IPK package built for TV, not for an older WebOS phone or a different platform.
Delete any incompatible files and only attempt to install IPK apps that clearly list WebOS TV support.

Developer Mode Turns Off By Itself

Developer Mode sessions expire after a limited time, so the TV may turn Dev Mode off automatically.
Reopen the Developer Mode app, sign in again if needed, and turn Dev Mode Status back on.
Keep the TV awake and avoid long power cycles while you are actively sideloading apps.

Sideloaded App Will Not Launch

Confirm the IPK installed successfully with the WebOS CLI using the list option in the ares-install command.
Restart the TV, then try launching the app again from the WebOS home screen.
Remove the app and reinstall it with the latest compatible IPK if it still fails to open.

LG Content Store Does Not Show A Specific App

Check that your TV region and WebOS version support that app, because some services only appear in specific markets.
Update WebOS to the latest firmware version from the Settings menu and restart the TV.
If the app is still missing after an update, plan to use a streaming device that supports the service instead.

PC Cannot Connect To The TV For Sideloading

Verify that your PC and LG Smart TV are on the same local network and subnet.
Recheck the IP address and passphrase shown in the Developer Mode app and make sure you entered them correctly in the CLI.
Temporarily disable strict firewall rules on the PC or router that may block the WebOS SSH connection.

Tips

These quick tips make it easier to manage third-party apps on LG WebOS and avoid common mistakes when you install or sideload new software.

Use the LG Content Store whenever possible, because those third-party apps are tested and optimized for your WebOS TV.
Treat sideloaded apps as experimental and only install IPK files from developers and sources you trust.
Keep WebOS firmware up to date so new app versions and streaming services work correctly on your LG Smart TV.
Document your Developer Mode settings, including IP address and device name, so you can quickly reconnect from the WebOS CLI.
Consider an external streaming device if you regularly run into region or platform limits when searching for new apps.

FAQ

These answers cover the most common questions people have when they first look for the best way to install 3rd party apps on LG Smart TV WebOS.

Can I Install Android APK Files On LG Smart TV WebOS?

No. LG WebOS TVs do not run Android, so APK files will not install or launch. You must either use the LG Content Store or sideload compatible WebOS IPK apps through Developer Mode.

Is It Safe To Install 3rd Party Apps On LG WebOS?

Apps from the LG Content Store go through LG’s review process and are generally safe for everyday use. Sideloaded apps installed through Developer Mode should only come from trusted developers, because they do not get the same review and may affect stability if they are poorly written.

Why Does Developer Mode Expire On My LG TV?

Developer Mode is meant for temporary testing. LG turns it off automatically after a set period to reduce security risk. You can open the Developer Mode app again and turn it back on whenever you need to sideload another WebOS app.

Do I Need A PC To Install 3rd-Party WebOS Apps?

For standard third-party streaming apps in the LG Content Store, you only need the TV itself. For advanced sideloading of WebOS IPK files, you do need a PC with the WebOS CLI tools installed so you can use commands like ares-install.

What Is The Easiest Option If My App Is Not On WebOS?

The easiest option is to plug in a streaming device that supports the app, rather than forcing an unsupported install on WebOS. This keeps your LG Smart TV stable while still giving you access to the content you need.

Summary

Here is a quick summary of the main ways you can work with third party apps on an LG Smart TV WebOS.

You install most supported third-party apps on LG Smart TV WebOS directly from the LG Content Store.
Advanced users can enable Developer Mode and use the WebOS CLI on a PC to sideload compatible IPK apps.
WebOS does not support APK files, so standard Android sideload methods will not work on an LG Smart TV.
External streaming devices are the most practical way to access unsupported or region-limited apps.
Keeping firmware updated and using trusted sources helps avoid stability and security issues with third-party apps.

Conclusion

Once you understand how to install 3rd party apps on LG Smart TV WebOS, the platform feels much less restrictive. The LG Content Store covers most everyday streaming needs, while Developer Mode and the WebOS CLI give power users a supported way to sideload compatible IPK apps when necessary.

Instead of chasing unsafe workarounds or trying to force Android APK files onto a WebOS TV, focus on the supported options in this guide. Combine the LG Content Store, Developer Mode for testing, and an external streaming device when needed, and you will have a flexible setup that still keeps your LG Smart TV stable and easy to use.

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