A new free upgrade is rolling out now to LG TVs ‣ Diverse Daily

Every year, when LG launches its new TVs, it also introduces a new version of webOS, the operating system that powers all of its smart TVs. With this year’s 2026 lineup, LG launched webOS 26, bringing new AI and home hub features, improved performance, and bug fixes.

So, if you’ve picked up a new 2026 LG TV this year, it’s already running webOS 26. But if you’ve got an older model, the good news is that you’re not being left out. Since 2024, LG has committed to providing annual OS upgrades to its TVs for four years, meaning newer versions of webOS will also make their way to older TVs entirely for free.

Now, five months after webOS 26 first launched on LG’s 2026 TVs, the company has begun rolling out the update to older models, starting with the LG G5 OLED (via FlatPanelsHD). The update will gradually roll out to other 2025 models, including the C5 and B5 series, as well as LCD models, over the coming days and weeks.

And thanks to LG’s four-year OS upgrade commitment, webOS 26 will eventually make its way to older LG TVs from 2022, 2023, and 2024 later this year.

What’s new with webOS 26?

Improved performance, but more AI features

LG has packed a number of notable changes into webOS 26, with one of the biggest being improved optimization, which should make the interface feel faster and more responsive. Another change you’ll quickly notice is a revamped Home Hub with Homey integration, a new smart home app that lets you control compatible smart home devices right from your TV. There’s also a new AI Concierge that offers content recommendations and tips for personalizing your TV.

Perhaps the biggest new feature in webOS 26, though, is Kids Mode. It lets parents limit the content that appears on the TV’s interface to only content they’ve approved, similar to the Kids Mode Apple introduced with tvOS 26 last year.

LG has also sprinkled in even more AI features, including a new AI image generation tool in the Gallery app and enhanced AI search.

However, while LG has added plenty of new features with webOS 26, it’s also puzzlingly taken away some capabilities. The update removes support for certain calibration tools that enthusiasts use to test TVs, including ColourSpace and bscpylgtv. LG has also dropped support for 360 VR in its built-in web browser.

How to update your TV to webOS 26

You can check whether your TV is ready

On most LG TVs, software updates are automatic, so once LG rolls out the webOS 26 update to your specific model, your TV should automatically download and install it within a few days.

But if you want to check whether webOS 26 is available for your TV right now, you can easily do so from the settings menu. Simply open the Settings menu on your LG TV by long-pressing the settings button (gear icon) on your remote. From there, go to Support > Software Update.

Under Software Update, you’ll see the software version your TV is currently running, along with the option to turn on Auto Update. You’ll also see a Check for Updates button (as you can see in the image above), which you can press to manually check if an update is available for your TV. For webOS 26, the firmware version is 43.21.71, and it’s a 2GB update.

It’s also important to note that once your TV is updated to webOS 26, you can’t revert to webOS 25. So, if you’d rather stick with webOS 25 and don’t want your TV to update to webOS 26, make sure you turn off Auto Update.

LG is rolling out webOS 26 gradually, so the update might not be available for your TV just yet. For most 2025 models, it should arrive soon, but if your LG TV is from 2024, 2023, or 2022, you may have to wait a little longer. The update might not reach some older models until later this year, or possibly even early 2027.

It would’ve been nice to see webOS 26 roll out to even older LG TV models, such as those from 2021, 2020, and 2019. But unless LG suddenly decides to match Samsung’s seven years of software support, unfortunately, that won’t be happening.