Does ElephTV Work on LG TVs?
ElephTV South Africa Support Team — our local support team helps South African customers install the app, redeem activation codes and choose supported devices. More about us
LG makes some of the best-looking panels sold in South Africa, especially the OLED range. But because LG TVs run webOS instead of Android, ElephTV can't install natively. Here's the workaround.
LG Smart TVs run webOS — LG's own operating system, similar in spirit to Samsung's Tizen. webOS is a lovely, fast operating system, but its LG Content Store does not carry Streaming TV players like ElephTV. This applies to every Streaming TV service, not just ours.
The workaround (same as Samsung)
Plug an Android TV box or Firestick into any HDMI port on the LG. The box handles the ElephTV app; the LG panel handles the picture. On an LG OLED, this is one of the best Streaming TV experiences money can buy — near-infinite contrast on sport and film, in a setup that costs under R1,200 once.
- Android TV box: R700–R1,200 at Takealot / Game / Makro
- Firestick: R700–R1,400 depending on model (Lite / 4K / 4K Max)
- Both connect via HDMI and take about five minutes to set up
Best picture settings on an LG OLED
- Picture Mode: Cinema or Filmmaker Mode (accurate colour, no over-processing)
- TruMotion: OFF for sport (kills the soap-opera effect)
- Dynamic Contrast: Low
- HDMI Input: rename the HDMI you use for the box to 'ElephTV' — LG then applies the correct picture profile automatically
What about the LG Magic Remote?
Ready to watch? Try the app free for 4 days, then buy your activation code on elephtv.store from R120/month — it is auto-dispatched to WhatsApp or email after payment.
The Magic Remote points-and-clicks like a mouse, which is great for LG's own menus but doesn't work in the ElephTV app running on the plugged-in Android box. Either use the Android box's own remote, or a cheap universal Bluetooth remote — both work fine.
Older LG TVs (pre-webOS)
LGs older than 2015 running NetCast are not smart enough for any Streaming TV — same solution: add an Android box or Firestick. The TV becomes a display; the box becomes the brain.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install ElephTV directly on LG webOS?
- No. LG's Content Store does not carry Streaming TV players. You need an Android TV box or Firestick plugged into HDMI.
- Does this affect 4K or Dolby Vision on LG OLED?
- No. The picture is still processed by the LG panel. Selected 4K channels look excellent on OLED.
- Which is better on LG — Firestick or Android TV box?
- Android TV box wins on ease of setup (no sideload). Firestick wins on price. Both work fully.