How To Add LG TV To Homekit?

When you want to know How to add LG TV to HomeKit, you will find the process very simple.

That is, as long as you have a modern LG TV.

Adding LG TV to HomeKit is easy as recent models have AirPlay 2 integration, connecting seamlessly to HomeKit. However, older models must use a smart bridge to make the connection possible.

Although the process is straightforward, we understand some users might need help setting up.

The guide below provides all the information you must remember while connecting LG TVs to HomeKit. It is also detailed in easy steps.

Adding LG TV to HomeKit is very straightforward if you have one of the recent LG TVs.

They have AirPlay 2 support, one of Apple’s standard software for multi-device integration.

However, you might have to resort to unofficial methods if you have an older TV. Such unofficial methods will work as well but require a bit more work.

Preparation Steps

Is this your first time connecting a non-Apple device to HomeKit?

A few things must always be in order before you attempt the integration:

Your TV and your iPhone must be up to date. That is especially necessary for your LG TV, as a few models have only recently received HomeKit/AirPlay support.
All devices involved must be in the same network.

Regarding the network, your TV can probably connect to 5GHz and 2.4GHz frequencies.

We advise you to connect your iPhone and TV to the 5GHz network when integrating systems. Such frequency is faster and will streamline the process much better.

Update Your iPhone

If you have updated your iPhone recently, this step might not be necessary.

If you are unsure, you can check by following the steps:

Head to Settings.
Click General.
Choose Software Update.
Now Download and install.

Suppose nothing is available to download. In that case, ignore the procedure.

Update Your TV’s Firmware

LG TVs might be using different firmware versions, which can also be limited in which update they are allowed to install.

However, we can say that HomeKit-compatible LG TVs are running one of the following versions of the WebOS: 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 6.0, and 22.

Here is how to update the firmware on any of those versions:

Navigate to Settings
Choose All Settings
Select General/Support
Click on “About this TV“
Click on “Check for Updates“
If available, select Download and Install

Once your TV is up to date, it is ready to connect to HomeKit.

Method #1: Set Up Via AirPlay

How to add LG TV to Apple HomeKit? LG TVs use AirPlay as a means of connecting to Apple HomeKit.

AirPlay is an Apple framework designed to work with video and audio devices.

It enhances wireless audio and offers many automation and integration features.

It can also be used along with HomeKit.

Turn on your LG TV
Press the Home button on your remote
Select the AirPlay feature
Choose “AirPlay & HomeKit Settings“
Select “Home“
A QR code will be displayed

To scan the QR code, you must do the following:

Open the Home app on your iPhone
Tap the “+” button
Choose “Add Accessory“
The QR scanner will show up, so simply point the camera at the TV
Tap on “Add to home.”

Tip: If the app fails to recognize the TV or fails on the "add to home" step, restarting the phone is a good idea.

Method #2: Use Broadlink IR

Broadlink’s IR product line is a suite of smart home gadgets that lets you manage your house’s electronics from your smartphone or tablet.

These gadgets employ infrared (IR) technology to send signals to your gadgets, much as a regular remote control would.

Broadlink infrared gadgets work with a wide variety of electronics, including televisions.

In such a case, your Broadlink IR will act as a new remote control, but you will control it via your iPhone.

Here is how you can set everything up:

Install the Broadlink app on your iPhone
Turn on your Broadlink device
Ensure it’s in pairing mode
Tap the “+” button on the Broadlink app
Select the type of device (your LG TV remote control)
Follow the instructions to train your device

Connect To Home App

Now it is time to link the Broadlink IR to the Home App:

Open the Home app
Click the “+” button
Select “Add Accessory”
Choose “Don’t Have a Code or Can’t Scan?“
Select the Broadlink IR device
Enter a name for the device
Tap “Done“

Note: The above integration method might not integrate the LG TV fully like the first method. However, it still grants plenty of control from your iPhone.

Method #3: HomeBridge

HomeBridge is the greatest savior when connecting unsupported devices to HomeKit.

You can connect virtually any smart object to HomeKit, thanks to it.

When your LG TV is a bit old and doesn’t have support for AirPlay, it can still use HomeBridge.

Here is how:

Install Node.js on your Mac
Open the Terminal
Type “npm install -g homebridge” to install Homebridge
Type “npm install -g homebridge-lgtv” to install the LG TV plugin
Create a config.json file in the Homebridge directory
Add the necessary info to the configuration file. An example:

{
  "accessories": [
    {
      "accessory": "LGTV",.
      "name": "Living Room TV",      "ip_address": "192.168.0.10",
{
  "accessories": [
    {
      "accessory": "LGTV",.
      "name": "Living Room TV",      "ip_address": "192.168.0.10",
    }
  ]
}

Next, you can start running Homebridge by typing “homebridge” on the terminal.

Connect To The Home App

Your HomeBridge server is already capable of running your LG TV.

Now you must add the TV to your Home app:

Open the Home app
Click the “+” button
Select “Add Accessory”
Choose “Don’t Have a Code or Can’t Scan?“
Select the LG TV
Enter a name for the TV
Tap “Done“

Method #4: Logitech Harmony Hub

Logitech Harmony Hub is a smart hub capable of connecting multiple devices of almost any brand.

Moreover, it is also HomeKit-compatible if you use the Harmony Bridge app. That will bridge the gap between your old LG TV and HomeKit.

Here is how you can do it:

Connect the Logitech Harmony to the same network as your TV
Install the Logitech Harmony app on your iPhone
Go to “Devices“
Click on “Add Devices“
Select LG
Now select your TV model

Connect The Hub To HomeKit

Next, you must test if you can control the TV via the Logitech Harmony app. If all is fine, next, you must connect the Harmony Hub to HomeKit.

Here is how:

Open the Home app
Tap the “+” button
Tap on “Add Accessory“
Click on “I Don’t Have a Code or Cannot Scan“
The app should discover the hub
Now add a name to the hub
Tap “Done“

Method #5: HOOBS Hub

Yet another option is using HOOBS. HOOBS is Homebridge Out Of The Box, a smart hub that runs Homebridge but is easier to manage.

HOOBS is great if you have many devices that are not natively compatible with HomeKit.

It is also a better option than Logitech Harmony because it constantly receives updates from users.

Here is how to use HOOBS:

Connect it via ethernet to your main router
Open the HOOBS app on your iPhone
Go to the add-ons section
Install the LG TV plugin
Enter credentials as well as IP address

Now you must add the HOOBS hub as an accessory on the Home app:

Open the Home app
Tap the “+” button
Tap on “Add Accessory“
Scan the QR code on your HOOBS hub
Add a name to the device
Done!

If all is correct, you now must be able to control your LG TV from your HomeKit.

Note: By connecting via the HOOBS hub, you still maintain the possibility of setting scenes and automation, including your TV.

What We Learned

How to add LG TV to HomeKit? Most modern LG TVs are very straightforward to set up.

However, with older models, you have many possibilities by using third-party smart hubs or software.

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Finn Wheatley

How To Add LG TV To Homekit? – Complete Steps