UPDATE DECEMBER 19, 2025:
LG confirms it’ll allow TV owners to delete Microsoft’s Copilot amid a consumer backlash.
Previously, LG TV owners found that Copilot quietly appeared on their TV and users could not hide or remove it.
After outrage, LG says you’ll be able to delete the Copilot shortcut and the feature to remove AI will be included in the next update for webOS.
“We want to clarify that Microsoft Copilot is provided as a shortcut icon to enhance customer accessibility and convenience…” LG confirmed.
It’s already possible to remove Copilot from other places, such as Windows 11.
Original Article:
If you own an LG smart TV, you might have noticed an unwelcome guest on your home screen recently. Multiple users are reporting that a recent webOS software update has automatically installed Microsoft Copilot, and here’s the kicker, there’s no way to remove it.
The situation first gained traction on Reddit, where frustrated owners discovered the AI assistant sitting alongside their regular apps after what seemed like a routine firmware update. Unlike typical third-party apps that can be deleted through normal channels, Copilot appears to be baked into the system as a permanent fixture. Users attempting to uninstall it through the usual app management menus are met with disappointment, the delete option simply isn’t there.
What’s actually happening
According to LG’s own support documentation, certain apps on their TVs cannot be deleted, which seems to be the category Copilot now falls under. This aligns with announcements made earlier this year at CES 2025, where both LG and Samsung revealed plans to integrate Microsoft’s AI assistant into their smart TV lineups. What users didn’t expect was for it to arrive without consent or removal options.
The Copilot tile now lives on the home row of affected webOS TVs, and while you technically don’t have to use it, the fact that it’s permanently lodged there has sparked considerable backlash in tech communities. Screenshots shared online show the assistant positioned among streaming apps, with no trash icon or uninstall button in sight.
Privacy concerns and user reactions
Beyond the annoyance of unwanted bloatware, privacy-conscious users are raising valid concerns about what this means for their data. LG TVs already include a feature called “Live Plus” that can recognize on-screen content and use viewing information for personalized ads and recommendations. The addition of an AI assistant from Microsoft introduces another layer of potential data collection, particularly around voice commands and viewing habits.
While neither LG nor Microsoft has released an official statement clarifying whether Copilot was intentionally packaged as a non-removable system app, the user experience tells a consistent story across multiple TV models and firmware versions.
What can users do?
If you’re looking to minimize the impact, here are your current options. First, you can hide the Copilot tile from your home screen, though it won’t actually remove the app from your system. Second, simply avoid signing in or interacting with it altogether. For those more concerned about tracking, you can disable the “Live Plus” feature by navigating to Settings > All Settings > General > Additional Settings and toggling it off (menu wording may vary by region and model).
Some users have taken more drastic measures, keeping their TVs offline entirely and relying on external streaming devices instead. While this eliminates the issue, it also defeats much of the “smart” functionality that makes these TVs appealing in the first place.
The rollout highlights a growing tension in the smart TV market, where manufacturers increasingly prioritize partnerships and monetization over user control. For an industry already dealing with complaints about excessive advertising and data collection, forcing permanent AI assistants onto devices feels like another step in the wrong direction.
Whether this sparks regulatory attention, particularly in privacy-conscious regions like the EU, remains to be seen. For now, LG owners are left with limited choices and a new app they never asked for.
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