LG TVs forced Microsoft Copilot installation sparks backlash over unremovable AI shortcuts

LG TVs' unremovable Copilot shortcut is the least of smart TVs' AI problems

Online fury erupted this week after an LG TV owner claimed that a firmware update installed unremovable generative AI software on their smart TV. The controversy began on Saturday, when a Reddit user posted about the sudden appearance of a Microsoft Copilot icon on their device (something Windows users are all too familiar with). The Reddit user claimed that a "new software update installed Copilot" onto their LG TV and that it couldn't be deleted. "Pre-installed crap is universally dogshit. If I wanted it, I'd have installed it myself eventually. The whole reason it's bundled is because no one would choose it... Burn your television," another Reddit user responded in the thread, which has 36,000 upvotes as of this writing. Some news outlets covered the move this week, reporting that LG customers were upset by an "unremovable Microsoft Copilot installation" and that other LG TV owners could expect to get it the next time they update their device. LG has since admitted that it used a webOS update to force Copilot onto some of its TVs. However, the firmware update didn't install the Copilot application but rather a shortcut to the Copilot web app, which opens in the TV's integrated web browser, LG spokesperson Chris De Maria told The Verge. De Maria added that "features such as microphone input are activated only with the customer's explicit consent." LG's spokesperson said the company added the "shortcut icon to enhance customer accessibility and convenience." LG, like other companies, has failed to prove why people need their non-computing devices, such as computer mice or earbuds, to provide instant access to third-party chatbots. For those annoyed about the web app shortcut, De Maria said today that LG "will take steps to allow users to delete the shortcut icon if they wish." He didn't provide more details. Unremovable AI is already invading TVs Even with LG's concession, it may become more difficult to avoid chatbots on TVs. LG says it will let people delete the Copilot icon from their TVs soon, but it still has plans to weave the service throughout webOS. The Copilot web app rollout seems to have been a taste of LG's bigger plans to add Copilot to some of its 2025 OLED TVs. In a January announcement, LG said Copilot will help users find stuff to watch by "allowing users to efficiently find and organize complex information using contextual cues." LG also said Copilot would "proactively" identify potential user problems and offer "timely, effective solutions." Some TVs from LG's biggest rival, Samsung, have included Copilot since August. Owners of supporting 2025 TVs can speak to Copilot using their remote's microphone. They can also access Copilot via the Tizen OS homescreen's Apps tab or through the TVs' Click to Search feature, which lets users press a dedicated remote button to search for content while watching live TV or Samsung TV Plus. Users can also ask the TV to make AI-generated wallpapers or provide real-time subtitle translations. Copilot similarly rolled out automatically onto supporting Samsung TVs. Users can avoid Copilot by not using the above features, and they may be able to remove the Copilot icon from their TV's Apps section. But Copilot will still be integrated into Tizen OS, and Samsung appears eager to push chatbots into TVs, including by launching Perplexity's first TV app. Amazon, which released Fire TVs with Alexa+ this year, is also exploring putting chatbots into TVs. After the backlash LG faced this week, companies may reconsider installing AI apps onto people's smart TVs. A better use of large language models in TVs may be as behind-the-scenes tools to improve TV watching. People generally don't buy smart TVs to make it easier to access chatbots. But this development is still troubling for anyone who doesn't want an AI chatbot in their TV at all. Some people don't want chatbots in their TVs Subtle integrations of generative AI that make it easier for people to do things like figure out the name of "that movie" may have practical use, but there are reasons to be wary of chatbot-wielding TVs. Chatbots add another layer of complexity to understanding how a TV tracks user activity. With a chatbot involved, smart TV owners will be subject to complicated smart TV privacy policies and terms of service, as well as the similarly verbose rules of third-party AI companies. This will make it harder for people to understand what data they're sharing with companies, and there's already serious concern about the boundaries smart TVs are pushing to track users, including without consent. Chatbots can also contribute to smart TV bloatware. Unwanted fluff, like games, shopping shortcuts, and flashy ads, already disrupt people who just want to watch TV. LG's Copilot web app is worthy of some grousing, but not necessarily because of the icon that users will eventually be able to delete. The more pressing issue is the TV industry's shift toward monetizing software with user tracking and ads. If you haven't already, now is a good time to check out our guide to breaking free from smart TV ads and tracking.

LG forced a Copilot web app onto its TVs but will let you delete it

LG says it will let users delete the Microsoft Copilot shortcut it installed on newer TVs after several reports highlighted the unremovable icon. In a statement to The Verge, LG spokesperson Chris De Maria says the company "respects consumer choice and will take steps to allow users to delete the shortcut icon if they wish." Last week, a user on the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit posted an image of the Microsoft Copilot icon in their lineup of apps on an LG TV, with no option to delete it. "My LG TV's new software update installed Microsoft Copilot, which cannot be deleted," the post says. The post garnered more than 36,000 upvotes as people grow more frustrated with AI popping up just about everywhere. Both LG and Samsung announced plans to add Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant to their TVs in January, but it appears to be popping up on LG TVs following a recent update to webOS. De Maria adds that the icon is a "shortcut" to the Microsoft Copilot web app that opens in the TV's web browser, rather than "an application-based service embedded in the TV." He also adds that "features such as microphone input are activated only with the customer's explicit consent." Asked when LG will start letting users delete the Copilot icon, De Maria said there's no "definitive timing" yet. Here's LG's full statement: Following recent coverage regarding the arrival of Microsoft Copilot on LG TVs, we're reaching out to provide an important clarification. Based on recent coverage regarding the arrival of Microsoft Copilot on LG TVs, we want to clarify that Microsoft Copilot is provided as a shortcut icon to enhance customer accessibility and convenience. It is not an application-based service embedded in the TV. When users select the Copilot shortcut, Microsoft's website opens through the TV's web browser, and features such as microphone input are activated only with the customer's explicit consent. Update, December 18th: Added more information from LG.

LG Quietly Installs Microsoft Copilot on Its Smart TVs -- And You Can't Delete It

Microsoft Copilot app is now appearing on LG TVs after a recent software update, and some say it's another example of the tech industry forcing AI on consumers who are not asking for it. The app is not deletable, according to one LG TV owner on Reddit. "When something is pushed this hard it begins to grate," writes a commenter. LG and Samsung both announced their Copilot integrations in January 2025 at the CES technology conference. LG highlighted it as a new perk of its latest OLED evo TVs, but we haven't heard much since then. Samsung installed the Microsoft Copilot app in late August on its 2025 smart TV lineup. You can talk to it through the mic button on the remote, asking for things like show recaps, content recommendations, and trivia, such as, "Who was the voice actor for that character?" This could be a helpful addition to the viewing experience, provided it works as intended. LG has not announced the app's official arrival, and did not respond to our request for comment. The icon appears pinned to the home screen on the Reddit post. It acts as a shortcut to a web-based Copilot interface, not the native application LG initially promised, according to Tom's Hardware. However, the rub is not what the app can do, it's that it's not removable unless you disconnect the TV from the internet, but that could disable some features and prevent future updates.

LG TV users baffled by unremovable Microsoft Copilot installation -- surprise forced update shows app pinned to the home screen

Users report Copilot appearing after a recent software update, with no option to uninstall. LG smart TV owners are reporting that a recent webOS software update has added Microsoft Copilot to their TVs, with no apparent way to remove it. Reports first surfaced over the weekend on Reddit, where a post showing a Copilot tile pinned to an LG TV home screen climbed to more than 35,000 upvotes on r/mildlyinfuriating, accompanied by hundreds of comments from users describing the same behavior. According to affected users, Copilot appears automatically after installing the latest webOS update on certain LG TV models. The feature shows up on the home screen alongside streaming apps, but unlike Netflix or YouTube, it cannot be uninstalled. My LG TV's new software update installed Microsoft Copilot, which cannot be deleted. from r/mildlyinfuriating LG has previously confirmed plans to integrate Microsoft Copilot into webOS as part of its broader "AI TV" strategy. At CES 2025, the company described Copilot as an extension of its AI Search experience, designed to answer questions and provide recommendations using Microsoft's AI services. In practice, the iteration of Copilot currently seen on LG TVs appears to function as a shortcut to a web-based Copilot interface rather than a fully native application like the one described by LG. The issue, for many, isn't necessarily what Copilot does, but that it has been forced onto consumers with no option to remove it. LG's own support documentation notes that certain preinstalled or system apps cannot be deleted, only hidden. Users who encounter Copilot after the update report that this limitation applies, leaving them with no way to fully remove the feature once it has been added. It's a similar story on rival models, for instance some Samsung TV's include Gemini. The overwhelmingly negative reaction from users indicates a growing frustration with AI features being imposed on consumers in every way possible. Smart TVs have naturally become platforms for advertising, data collection, and now AI services, with updates adding new functionality that owners did not explicitly request and, in most cases, do not want. While LG allows users to disable some AI-related options, such as voice recognition and personalization features, those settings do not remove the Copilot app itself. Ultimately, those wanting to minimize Copilot's presence on their TVs are limited to keeping it disconnected from the Internet. That's about the most that can be done at the moment, unless LG backtracks and either allows users to disable or completely uninstall the app in response to backlash, which seems unlikely.

Copilot is beginning to appear on LG TVs, and no, you can't delete it

* Copilot auto-installed on some LG TVs via update and appears undeletable. * Users report it showed up without consent after an automatic OS update. * Owners call it 'mildly infuriating' and warn against connecting smart TVs to the internet. At the start of 2025, Copilot was beginning to get its bearings in the AI world. Now we're looking at the start of 2026, and Copilot has become a part of every part of Microsoft's ecosystem. And now that the Redmond giant has added Copilot to pretty much every product it can think of (yes, even Notepad), it has decided that Copilot should be on other people's services, too. Some LG TV owners have reported that there's a new Copilot entry on their app list, which they didn't download themselves. Unfortunately, for those who didn't want it around anymore, there doesn't seem to be any way of getting rid of it. Microsoft has somehow found yet another way to get you to use Copilot It's getting a little bit jealous of other services. Posts 2 By Simon Batt Oct 20, 2025 LG TV owners are reporting a surprise, unremovable Copilot app It will help you, and you will like it As reported by Digital Trends, people on Reddit are beginning to report the appearance of a Copilot app on their LG TVs. It doesn't seem to be an app that people choose to download; instead, it's something that reportedly arrives with an automatic update. Once Copilot has landed on the TV, it's undeletable. The first report comes to us via defjam16 on the "mildly infuriating" subreddit, which definitely fits the bill: As you might expect from a subreddit with that name, people flocked to the comments to share their lamentations about this new technology. Some people claim that they're sick of Copilot being added to everything, and some show this as a reminder that people shouldn't attach their TV to the internet in the first place. And one person compared it to that one smart TV patent that showed someone yelling "McDonald's!" at the screen to end a commercial. At any rate, with Copilot appearing on lots of different products, it feels like Microsoft is really hedging its bets on getting its AI assistant to take off. While other AI companies are working hard at making them more powerful, Microsoft seemingly wants to make it more readily available. Unfortunately, given how Microsoft's stock has slipped 5% due to its AI rivals going tall instead of wide, it doesn't seem like the correct move right now. Fortunately for the Redmond giant, Copilot is seeing some success in specific areas. For example, the AI assistant is getting a ton of updates for Excel, such as an automatic formula generator that works off of plain English. You can also check out these ways to up your Excel game with Microsoft Copilot.

LG will let you delete the previously unremovable Microsoft Copilot shortcut on its smart TVs

Several LG smart TV owners, including some Engadget staff, were surprised to find what looked like suddenly installed on their devices earlier this week. After all the raised eyebrows, a representative from LG has reached out to say that the company "will take steps to allow users to delete the shortcut icon if they wish." According to the spokesperson, the Copilot icon is a shortcut for launching the AI chatbot in the TV's web browser rather than an application embedded in the appliance. We've asked for more specifics about when people will be able to get rid of the Copilot prompt, but have not received a response at this time. Apparently we're still learning the lessons of . It might seem like free additions would be something people would enjoy, but it turns out customers want to choose which services they use. Particularly when smart TVs on privacy, the surprise appearance of an AI chatbot wasn't likely to be well received.

Users report Microsoft Copilot appearing on LG Smart TVs after software update

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. Sounding off: Tech giants and ambitious startups keep wedging chatbots and other AI add-ons into products that never needed them. Smart TVs are the latest target, with LG and others baking in assistants that interrupt the simplest tasks - and viewers are getting fed up. LG has allegedly begun forcing Microsoft Copilot onto its smart TV customers. A Reddit user says a recent software update installed the app with no means of removal. If this proves widespread, it would mark a new milestone in Big Tech's push to monetize AI before its financial bubble bursts. The Redditor reporting the spontaneous Copilot installation said his TV never even prompted him to authorize the rogue app. It just appeared after a routine update and is now classified as a system app, meaning you can't remove it without heavily modifying the firmware. Apps that cannot be easily uninstalled are slowly creeping into TVs and other smart devices. Samsung, another prominent Korean TV manufacturer, recently drew complaints from users saying the company's TVs reinstalled Xbox, Rakuten, Samsung TV Plus, and other apps after they were deleted or disabled. Both Samsung and LG previously announced plans to add Copilot to their respective TV platforms in 2025. A third-party chatbot that users cannot remove or disable is unprecedented, even in the notoriously obnoxious world of Smart TVs. Reddit users offered some practical advice for dealing with the issue, such as avoiding sign-in or disconnecting the TV from the internet entirely. LG Smart TV owners have also posted complaints about a service called "Live Plus." Allegedly enabled by default, the setting scans what users watch to offer an "enhanced viewing experience." Essentially, the company is selling viewing habits to advertisers, though users can still disable the feature in the TV's "additional settings" menu. Binge-watching enthusiasts who don't want the app spying on their viewing habits face a frustrating experience when trying to uninstall it. The business implications are even more concerning. Microsoft is determined to deploy its chatbot service everywhere, prompting some regulatory agencies outside the US to respond. Yet few users are embracing the service, and the company now faces pressure to limit its sales prospects.

LG TVs Get Unremovable Microsoft Copilot App

AI is everywhere, including places that no one wants it. The latest example of the technology's proliferation being forced down users' throats, likely in the name of artificially inflating growth metrics, appears to be LG brand smart TVs. Tom's Hardware spotted a number of owners taking to Reddit to complain about the fact that their TVs now have an apparently unremovable Microsoft Copilot app living on their homescreen. According to users, the Copilot app was inserted into their TV interfaces following a recent update to webOS, the Linux-based operating system that fell under LG's control back in 2013. Upon installing the update, a Copilot app reportedly showed up on the TVs at startup. To make matters worse, it seems that the app cannot be deleted, living alongside other apps for streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu. LG previously said that it would integrate Copilot into its TVs. At CES 2025, the company made an effort to position itself as the "AI" TV company, announcing that it would introduce an AI section to the webOS platform. It also started calling its remote an "AI Remote" and claimed that the introduction of Copilot would help users “efficiently find and organize complex information using contextual cues.†What complex information are they organizing on their TVs? Who can say? Regardless, it seems the Copilot app won't be going anywhere for LG owners. Per the manual the company provides with its smart TVs, "You cannot delete the preinstalled apps or system apps on your Smart TV, so the trash bin does not appear when you select these apps." The company also isn't the only one giving its users access to AI tools whether they want them or not. Google's Gemini is built into new TCL models, and Perplexity's search engine is reportedly making its way to Samsung TVs. Samsung also announced earlier this year that it'd start supporting Microsoft's Copilot, though it at least seems like it won't be by installing a permanent billboard for the tool on the homescreen. But no company seems to be as committed to the AI bit as LG. Per The Verge, the latest models of the company's TVs come littered with AI branding that extends well beyond the Copilot app, with features branded as "AI Picture Pro" and "AI Sound Pro." There's even a built-in chatbot, in case you feel lonely while endlessly browsing options of what to stream. Gizmodo reached out to LG for comment, but did not hear back at the time of publication.

LG quietly added an unremovable Microsoft Copilot app to TVs

Microsoft made a big punt this year with Copilot. The company put its AI chatbot into a and has also tried to integrate it into other tech products. The latest place you may find Copilot is on your LG smart television, whether you want it or not. Several LG smart TV owners have taken to over the past few days to complain that they suddenly have a Copilot app on the device and cannot uninstall it. Two Engadget staffers discovered the app on a 2022 LG OLED and a 2023 UA8000. They confirmed that the app can't be removed, although they were able to hide it from the home screen. One other person from our team also has a 2022 LG OLED but isn't seeing Copilot, so your mileage may vary based on what permissions and privacy settings you already have set up with LG. LG said during the 2025 CES season that it would have a Copilot-powered AI Search in its next wave of TV models, but putting in a permanent AI fixture is sure to leave a bad taste in many customers' mouths, particularly since Copilot among people using AI assistants.

LG TV owners baffled by a Microsoft Copilot app that can't be removed

While users can hide Copilot from their home screen, the inability to completely remove the pre-installed app has frustrated many owners. LG TV owners are expressing confusion and annoyance online after Microsoft Copilot suddenly appeared on their smart TVs, with no option to uninstall the app, Tom's Hardware reports. Copilot was reportedly added to some LG models in conjunction with a recent webOS update and subsequently appears pinned to the home screen. For now, however, it functions primarily as a shortcut to Copilot on the web, rather than as a fully integrated TV app. LG has previously announced that it has partnered with Microsoft as part of its "AI TV" initiative. According to the company, Copilot will be used to provide AI-based search and recommendation assistance directly in the TV interface. While Copilot cannot be completely uninstalled, it is possible to hide the app so that it does not appear on the home screen.

This is bad! LG smart TVs just got an AI upgrade that's impossible to remove

LG and Samsung announced at the beginning of the year at CES they would be integrating Microsoft's Copilot AI into their smart TVs. Samsung has already done so and this week LG also made good on its word. The only problem is there doesn't appear to be anything users can do about it. This became clear when Reddit user defjam16 posted a screenshot of the Microsoft Copilot app appearing on LG smart TVs as part of the next update to webOS. The fact that this was posted to the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit should serve as a clue defjam16 wasn't thrilled with the early Christmas present. The post attracted (at time of writing) over 3,000 comments, with many bemoaning the nature of forced adoption when it comes to AI features. Because while Copilot now shows up on the LG smart TV home screen like Netflix or YouTube, unlike those apps, there's no way to remove, delete or uninstall it. And as much as people like getting extra features, it should always be at their discretion whether or not they want to keep them. My LG TV's new software update installed Microsoft Copilot, which cannot be deleted. from r/mildlyinfuriating What makes it even more difficult to swallow is that the Copilot app appears to do little more than act as a gateway to a web-based Copilot interface rather than working in tandem with LG's AI Search experience. Defjam16 summed up the sentiment in a later post responding to another commenter: "I always hated bloatware, but installing an AI assistant (without explicit permission) that cannot be deleted, with unknown access to microphone and other services might just take the cake." Although it's possible to disable some aspects of the AI experience -- such as voice recognition -- they're unable to remove it entirely. LG hasn't officially announced the arrival of Copiliot on webOS, nor has the company made any public statement about it. Of course, aside from the forced install of potentially unwanted AI features, LG makes some of the best smart TVs you can buy. At Tom's Guide, we routinely praise the performance of its sets, so it's a shame to see the company make a misstep like this.

LG forces Copilot onto smart TVs, and there's no way to delete it

Oh, you don't want an AI chatbot on your TV? That's too bad, buddy, because you're getting one. Well, if you have an LG smart TV, at least. Tech site Tom's Hardware spotted that users began complaining that a recent software update to LG TVs included the addition of Microsoft Copilot and it could not be deleted. The complaints first surfaced on Reddit's r/mildlyinfuriating, which feels right. The post has racked up some 36,000 upvotes and thousands of comments, most of which expressed annoyance. Tech site Endadget wrote that two staffers with LG TVs confirmed that, yes, Copilot had been installed and was not removable. At best, you could hide it from the home screen. Why would you want an AI assistant app on your TV? Good question. I don't necessarily have the answer. But guess what? If you own an LG smart TV, it looks like you have it, whether you want it or not.

Your LG TV may get an unremovable Microsoft Copilot app in its next update, and yes, users are annoyed

If there's one thing that would stop me from buying one of the best TVs in the current world of everything being online and connected, it's the fear of the manufacturer taking a perfectly good TV and spoiling it. And that's exactly what some LG owners think is happening to their TVs in the latest update. The conversation is happening on social media including Reddit's r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit, where users are discussing an LG firmware update that automatically adds an unwelcome app: Microsoft Copilot. And to make things worse, once the app is on your TV, you can't remove it. This is proving roughly as popular as the time when Apple forced a U2 album into everybody's iTunes library. Whether it was a good album or a bad album* didn't matter. The issue was that Apple forced an album on millions of people and initially didn't give them any way to remove it again. It's widely regarded as one of the biggest PR disasters in music. It seems that if what LG is doing to its TVs were a U2 song, it'd be Bad. So what's going on? Smart TV manufacturers' goal of monetizing TVs they've already sold you is one of the less welcome trends of the last few years. We've been reporting on TV firms using updates to implement unpopular changes for some time now, such as when LG added screensaver ads in 2024, when Roku tested an ad that ran before the Home Screen appeared or when Google revamped Google TV with much larger advertisements. The addition of unremovable Copilot seems like a further step in a bad direction. This is more significant than adding a bit of advertising. This is adding an AI app, and that raises concerns about privacy and whether it's getting any of your information. As Reddit user defjam16 put it: "I always hated bloatware, but installing an AI assistant (without explicit permission) that cannot be deleted, with unknown access to microphone and other services might just take the cake." ASouthernDandy certainly isn't a fan - "Pre-installed crap is universally dogshit. If I wanted it, I'd have installed it myself eventually. The whole reason it's bundled is because no one would choose it." - although their solution, "burn your television", isn't one I'd recommend, for both financial and environmental reasons. But the many comparisons to the bloatware that infests PCs and many phones too seem fair to me. Satan-o-saurus says: "tech companies have taught me to principally never install or opt in for any new features they try to make me use, ever. It's literally always a scam/something that will make my user experience worse/something that is designed to just harvest my data or otherwise exploit me." We've contacted LG for comment and will keep you posted. * It's okay, but it's no Achtung Baby.

Microsoft Copilot quietly shows up on LG TVs, and you can't remove it

A new webOS update brings Copilot and Live Plus feature to LG TVs Microsoft's Copilot has quietly appeared on LG webOS TVs, and many owners only noticed after it was already there. The issue first came up when a Reddit user shared screenshots showing a Microsoft Copilot tile on their LG TV home screen after a recent webOS update. The post spread quickly, and other LG TV owners confirmed they were seeing the same thing. Recommended Videos As more reports appeared, it became clear this is not a bug limited to one model. This move matches LG's earlier plans to integrate Copilot into its TV software, especially for newer versions of webOS. LG's own documentation says some apps are treated as system components, which is likely why Copilot does not have a removal option like other downloads. Users can avoid signing in or move the tile out of sight, but the app itself stays installed. Live Plus is also switched on by default Along with Copilot, the latest LG TV update is also turning on a feature called Live Plus by default. According to LG's on-screen description, Live Plus lets the TV recognize what content is being shown and use viewing data to power personalized services such as recommendations and advertising. Unlike Copilot, Live Plus can be turned off. According to Video Cardz, Live Plus can be disabled by going to Settings > All Settings > General > Additional Settings and toggling off Live Plus (these steps may differ by region and model). Once turned off, the TV stops using on-screen content recognition for those services. Copilot does not currently offer a similar toggle. That leaves LG TV owners with limited control beyond hiding the app or avoiding online features entirely. For now, the situation shows how smart TVs are adding AI features at the system level, sometimes faster than users can react or opt out. If you are planning to upgrade, LG's 2025 TV lineup already leans heavily into software driven features like AI assistants, which is something worth keeping in mind before choosing a new model. LG's recent CES announcements also hint at where TV software and AI features could be headed next, offering a glimpse at what might define the biggest TV trends in 2026.

LG backs down on Copilot shortcut after TV users push back

LG Electronics announced it will allow users to remove the Microsoft Copilot AI assistant shortcut from their televisions after complaints surfaced on social media. The issue arose when a recent webOS update added the icon to TV home screens without a deletion option. The controversy gained traction through a Reddit post on the r/mildlyinfuriating forum, which amassed over 36,000 upvotes. TV owners voiced irritation over the shortcut's appearance following the update, highlighting the absence of any straightforward way to eliminate it from their devices. My LG TV's new software update installed Microsoft Copilot, which cannot be deleted. byu/defjam16 inmildlyinfuriating LG representative Chris De Maria addressed the matter in a statement to The Verge. He said the company "honors consumer preferences and will implement measures to allow users to eliminate the shortcut icon if they desire." This response came directly in reaction to the volume of user feedback across platforms. De Maria provided specifics on the shortcut's nature. He explained that it serves as a link to the Microsoft Copilot web application, which opens within the TV's built-in web browser. This distinguishes it from applications embedded directly into the TV's operating system. He further noted that "features such as microphone input are enabled only with the user's explicit permission," ensuring such functionalities activate solely upon user approval. LG's support documentation outlines restrictions on app management for its Smart TVs. It specifies that certain preinstalled or system apps cannot be deleted entirely. In the case of the Copilot shortcut post-update, users found they could only hide the icon from the home screen, not remove it completely from the system. Both LG and Samsung revealed plans to incorporate Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant into their televisions during the January 2025 Consumer Electronics Show. They presented this integration within their respective AI-driven personalization strategies aimed at enhancing user experiences through intelligent features. For affected users, the primary grievance focused on the absence of choice regarding the shortcut's installation, separate from evaluations of Copilot's actual performance or utility. This situation parallels criticism directed at Samsung for mandating Google's Gemini assistant on certain television models, where users similarly encountered unwanted AI elements without opt-out provisions. On Reddit, some participants recommended practical workarounds. These included disconnecting TVs from the internet to prevent access or employing network-level blocking tools such as Pi-hole to limit the shortcut's visibility and functionality. LG has not released an official timeline for rolling out the deletion option, meaning users with the shortcut on their devices must anticipate a forthcoming software update to access this capability.

Microsoft's Copilot AI is automatically installed on LG TVs and can't be removed

TL;DR: LG's latest webOS update automatically installs Microsoft Copilot on OLED TVs without removal options, sparking user backlash. The update also enables the "Live Plus" feature, which tracks viewing habits for targeted ads. Many users recommend disconnecting from the internet or using third-party devices to protect privacy. LG previously announced it would integrate Microsoft Copilot into its webOS platform for its TV lineup. Still, there hasn't been any indication of when this might happen. However, if, like us, you've got one of LG's impressive OLED TVs, you might have noticed that Microsoft Copilot has been added to the app lineup as part of a recent webOS update that rolled out globally last week. Microsoft Copilot is now part of your LG TV's webOS interface and can't be removed. Image credit: Reddit/defjam16. As spotted by 'defjam16' on the aptly-titled 'mildlyinfuriating' thread on Reddit, a Microsoft Copilot app is not only automatically installed as part of the latest webOS update, but it can't be removed. This is something we've verified, but we've also noticed that the Copilot app simply opens a browser interface so you can interact with the AI assistant. Naturally, a new app you can't remove (and a Microsoft AI one at that) has been met with backlash from several LG TV owners, who wonder why Copilot is showing up next to the apps they actually use, like Netflix and YouTube. Also as LG doesn't really publish patch or release notes for its regular webOS updates, or directly communicate that this latest update would introduce new AI features to the webOS platform with Microsoft Copilot, the "out of nowhere"-like nature of adding Copilot to a TV is a big part of the reason why this Reddit thread has received thousands of comments - most of which aren't positive. 'Live Plus' is also enabled by default, a feature that records everything you watch so LG can sell that data to advertisers. Image credit: Reddit/defjam16. In fact, going through the Reddit thread 'defjam16' also posted a follow-up that the 'Live Plus' feature (hidden in the Advanced Settings section) is automatically enabled with the latest webOS update. This feature basically recognizes everything you watch on your LG TV and uses that data for recommendations and targeted advertising. Basically, LG is harvesting your viewing habits for profit and the ability to sell your data to the highest bidder. This being enabled with the latest update is something we've also verified. It's gotten to the point where some users recommend disconnecting your LG TV from the internet entirely and using a third-party device for streaming and online stuff. It'll be interesting to see if LG responds or adds the option to remove Microsoft Copilot in a future update.

Own an LG TV? You might be stuck with this annoying AI feature you can't switch off

When I reviewed LG's flagship G5 OLED earlier this year, software was somewhat of a gripe for me. I said "LG's webOS used to be the gold standard for smart TV operating systems: quick, intuitive, and largely free of clutter. But as of 2025, it's starting to feel like LG is trying to do too much." The latest example? An AI co-pilot you didn't ask for, can't delete, and have to live with like a squatter. In a recent software update, LG has quietly rolled out Microsoft's Copilot app to its TVs, which now sits permanently glued to the home screen, whether you like it or not. And guess what? You probably don't. This all started kicking off on Reddit, where LG TV owners clocked the new app. One Reddit post summed it up best: "When something is pushed this hard it begins to grate." I found it on my own LG TV as well, confirming that the app has been pushed out. LG revealed its Copilot plan back in January 2025 during CES, saying it would be a swanky new feature for its OLED TVs. Since then, there's been radio silence. Not a peep about when it would arrive or what to expect. Now it's here, but it's not even the proper app LG promised. Instead, it's a web-based shortcut, which is a rather poor experience to use. Samsung did something similar a few months back with its 2025 smart TV line-up, where you can press a mic button and ask Copilot questions. In theory, these features are fine. But they should be, and historically have been, optional - not bolted into the firmware. There's no official way to delete the app, either. Unless you're keen to disconnect your TV from the internet (effectively neutering half the features and ruling out updates), Copilot's there for good. The real issue isn't just that it's there. It's that users didn't ask for this. This isn't a passive update or advertising in a menu - which is bad enough. This AI assistant is being installed and locked in on a device you own. Let's not pretend privacy questions aren't front of mind for many. Is it collecting data? Is it watching what I watch? Can it listen? LG's lack of transparency doesn't help. I can't for the life of me see why you want (or need) an AI assistant on your TV. Much less being forced into one of the worst options on the market. If this is the future of smart TVs, maybe it's time to consider dumb ones again. At least they don't come with surprise AI assistants.