Setting up your subscription on a Samsung or LG Smart TV — a step-by-step guide

Why Samsung and LG TVs differ from Android devices

Samsung TVs run Tizen and LG TVs run webOS, and both have their own store that does not accept Android apps and does not allow installing files from outside the store. That means your choice is limited to the player apps available in the store itself, which vary by country and model year; older models may not have a suitable app at all. The good news is that when the app is available, setup is easier than on any other device: no cables, no extra boxes, one remote. The more important news is that an inexpensive external device turns any older TV into a full smart screen if the app is not there.

When an external device is the better answer

If your TV is more than a few years old, or you cannot find a compatible player in its store, or the available app is slow or limited, an external device such as a Fire TV Stick or an Android box plugged into an HDMI port gives you a wider store, more apps and faster updates. The external device uses the TV only as a screen, so you get the same quality with more flexibility — and this route is usually faster than forcing an unsuitable app to work.

Setting the picture on your screen

• Choose the Cinema or Filmmaker picture mode for films and series, and Sports or Standard for matches if the sports mode looks overdone.
• Reduce or turn off motion smoothing if fast shots look unnatural.
• Make sure the app is set to its highest quality and the connection can deliver it; the screen cannot improve a weak source.
• If the TV supports HDR, leave it on automatic and it will recognise suitable content when the source provides it.

Setup steps on Samsung and LG

1. Samsung (Tizen): install from the store

   Press Home on the remote, open Apps, search for a compatible player that supports playlists, and install it. After installing, pin the app to the first row of the home screen so it is one press away.

2. LG (webOS): install from the store

   Press Home, open the LG Content Store, search for a compatible player, and install it. From the app list you can drag it to the start of the bar so it sits at the front.

3. Enter your subscription details

   Open the app and enter the details you received after payment. Some apps show a short code that lets you enter the details from your phone through a web page — use it where offered; it is faster than typing with the remote and less error-prone.

4. Confirm the connection

   In the TV’s network settings, connect an Ethernet cable where you can, or choose the 5GHz Wi-Fi network. Test a channel at peak time before relying on the setup.

5. The alternative: an external device over HDMI

   If no suitable app is in the store, plug a Fire TV Stick or an Android box into an HDMI port, install the app from its store, and enter the same details. The TV becomes a display only, and quality is unaffected.

Quick setup checklist

• Update the TV’s system from its settings before installing.
• Check that a compatible player is available in the TV’s store before ordering; if not, an external device is the answer.
• Connect an Ethernet cable where you can, or choose the 5GHz network.
• Use the short code or web page to enter details instead of typing with the remote, where the option exists.
• Test a channel at peak time, then set the picture mode that suits the content.
• Keep your subscription details private; never share them in public groups.

Fixing the common problems on Samsung and LG

Samsung and LG — frequently asked questions