How to Get All 4, ITVX and My5 on an LG Smart TV
If you’re trying to get All 4, ITVX or My5 on an LG Smart TV and you can’t find the apps anywhere, you’re not doing anything wrong. On many LG TVs – especially certain 2020-era models – those apps were missing completely due to licensing issues between LG, Freeview and the broadcasters.
Short version: if the apps don’t appear in the LG Content Store on your TV, you often cannot install them directly. But there are still ways to watch them.
This guide explains why the apps are missing, which LG TVs now support them, and the best workarounds that actually work.
Quick answer (read this first)
On many LG Smart TVs, particularly some 2020 models:
- All 4 (now called Channel 4) may not be available at all
- ITVX and My5 may or may not appear, depending on model and updates
- If the apps don’t show in the LG Content Store, you can’t force-install them
Your realistic options are:
- use a Fire TV Stick or similar streaming device
- use the LG web browser (limited and sometimes blocked)
- cast from another device
If you want the least hassle, a streaming stick is the cleanest fix.
Why My5, ITVX and All 4 are missing on some LG TVs
LG uses its own operating system called webOS. App availability depends on:
- your exact TV model
- the webOS version
- licensing agreements at the time the TV was released
This is why two LG TVs from the same year can behave completely differently.
I ran into this myself. I’ve owned LG TVs for years, including a 65” OLED bought in 2019 that had every catch-up app I needed. Then I bought a smaller LG TV for the bedroom in 2020 and suddenly ITVX, All 4 and My5 were missing. Same brand, same menus, completely different app support.
LG failed to agree Freeview Play licensing on some models, so the apps were simply never added. Some TVs later received updates. Others never did.
First step: check the LG Content Store properly
Before using any workaround, check again.
Press the Home button on your remote
Open LG Content Store
Go to Apps
Search for:
- ITVX
- Channel 4 (not “All 4”)
- My5
Some LG TVs now have all three. If you see them, install them and you’re done.
If they’re not there, keep reading.
Also worth reading
Are you a Sky subscriber? Find out how to reduce your bill by up to 60%.
Option 1: Use a Fire TV Stick (best overall solution)
This is the option I recommend if you just want everything to work.
A Fire TV Stick gives you:
- ITVX
- Channel 4
- My5
- BBC iPlayer
- Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+
It plugs into HDMI, updates automatically and avoids all LG licensing nonsense. Yes, it’s annoying needing extra hardware, but it’s faster, more reliable and easier for non-techy households.
Option 2: Use the LG web browser (works, but not ideal)
If you don’t want another device, the built-in web browser can sometimes be used.
How to get My5 on an LG Smart TV
Open the Web Browser app
Go to https://www.my5.tv
Login is optional
Bookmark the page
Switch to fullscreen once playback starts
This method still works reliably on most LG TVs.
How to get ITVX on an LG Smart TV
Open the Web Browser
Go to https://www.itv.com
Log in to your ITV account
Bookmark the page
Switch to fullscreen
Some LG TVs now have a native ITVX app, so check the Content Store first. The browser version works, but fullscreen behaviour can be inconsistent.
How to get All 4 on an LG Smart TV
All 4 has now been renamed Channel 4, and this is where things get messy.
On some LG TVs:
- the Channel 4 app now appears in the Content Store
- browser playback works
On others:
- the app never appears
- browser playback is blocked due to licensing
If Channel 4 doesn’t show in your LG Content Store and won’t play in the browser, there is no fix inside webOS. You’ll need a streaming stick or console.
Also worth reading
Film fan? Take a look at my post about where you can watch free movies in the UK.
Option 3: Casting or screen mirroring
If you have an Android phone or tablet, casting can work reasonably well.
On iPhone, results are mixed unless you add another device such as a Fire TV Stick or Apple TV. I’ve tried this myself and wouldn’t rely on it long-term.
Will this work on Samsung, Sony or other TVs?
Usually, yes.
Most smart TVs with:
- a web browser, or
- built-in casting
can use similar workarounds. That said, Samsung and Sony generally have better native app support than LG did during this period.
The honest verdict
If your LG Smart TV doesn’t support My5, ITVX or Channel 4:
- it’s not a settings issue
- you can’t manually install missing apps
- LG won’t add them retroactively to unsupported models
The browser method is a workaround, not a proper solution. If you want everything in one place with minimal frustration, a Fire TV Stick or similar device is the answer.
It’s annoying that a “smart” TV can’t do something this basic, but once you know the limits, you can stop wasting time searching menus that were never going to show the apps anyway.
This is such a helpful article, thank you. We followed the instructions for the ITV Hub, all connected fine. The key issue we were left with was not being able to get a full screen through the web browser, we could see the full screen icon in the bottom left, but the remote, although finding it wouldn’t open it. Any thoughts appreciated.
Hi Barbara. Thanks for letting me know. Unfortunately, I noticed this problem a couple of days ago too. I was hoping that it was just related to my TV, but it looks like it could be an issue across the board. I’ll update my post. Hopefully, somebody else may find a way around the problem.
I have two 43″ LG TVs. One is a 2019 model and the other is a 2020 model. The 2019 model has all the catchup apps (ITV Hub, Channel 4, etc), whereas the 2020 model does not. I was not aware of this at the time of purchasing the 2020 model. This annoys me no end.
I did reach out to LG support on 24th February 2021, who informed me that:
“… LG is in the process of working directly with the broadcasters to feature their catch-up applications in our 2020 range of televisions …”
and that:
“.. We do not currently have any timeframes for when these are expected to be added ..”
So I’m currently stuck with watching ITV hub, Channel 4 or My5 through the web browser app on my 2020 model. And in the case of ITV Hub, I too am unable to make the app display as fullscreen.
Thanks for the update. It is a real shame that major TV making companies still don’t provide what most people consider a basic service. The last thing you would think that you have to look for is which apps are and aren’t included.
The ITV Hub App has been automatically installed on my 2020 model 43″ LG TV today alongside a LG automatic software update. So that’s some good news! Hope it appears on everyone else’s TVs soon too. Would be nice to hear specifically that All 4 and Channel 5 apps are in the works.
Thanks for letting me know Michael. Just checked and it’s now showing on my model too. Let’s hope for the others soon!
CATCH UP TV
Thank you so much for your advice. This worked and now we have all the catch up programmes we need on our LG TV.
The LG TV model we purchased in 2019 had all the catch up programmes but when we purchased a second LG TV in 2020 and it didn’t have any catch up. On contacting LG they did say that they are sorting out the catch up apps with the broadcasters and BBC IPlayer and ITV HUB have recently come through.
Thanks for your help.
Thanks Rita. Hopefully it won’t be too long now!
I had this very same issue with my new LG 43″ telly. As well as now getting ITV HUB, I note that in the last few days, My5 has been added. I am just waiting now for All4 then I can dispense with the FireTV stick and re-deploy it to an older TV waiting in the wings!
Thanks Jim. Finally! I shall update my post.
June 2021 Update
My 5 has joined the line up with itv hub and iplayer
Still no All 4 or STV player which to me says its down to these companies to make the app forLG
@ALASTAIR MARTIN,
STV Player now added, So it’s only All 4 we are waiting on.
@ALASTAIR MARTIN, hi there ,we are only getting bbciplayer, do you need re install or run anything to get the ones you mentioned here please?
@Tracey, there should be an option to update your TV and the apps should appear. Failing that, select the LG Content Store option on your TV’s menu. Then select apps and they should be listed there.
Hi, I have an OLED LG 2020 model and have had this issue with All 4 and ITV Hub, glad I found this site so thanks for the advice!
My only issue now is I am unable to increase the picture to full screen in ITV Hub! I can see above you were looking into this issue, just wondering if you guys have worked out how to do this?
Many thanks
Hi Alex. I couldn’t figure out how to maximise the picture. However, it’s worth checking to see if the ITV app is now available for your TV.
Hi, thank you so much for your excellent information. I now have All4 on my new LG 50” Smart TV
Your comment about screen casting dies not apply to All4… you get an in app notification when you try to do it saying you cannot cast All4 onto a separate screen.
Hi Gary. According to the Channel 4 website, you can cast All4 as long as you have Google Chromecast.
@Money Saver Pete, you can only cast non-live content to Chromecast 🙁
Thanks Andrew, I shall update.
Except the web browser no longer works. You can get to All4 but then the screen goes black and up pops the LG logo. Why is this tolerated?
I have just checked my browser and All4 is still working. This could be an issue with certain models and I would be interested to know how widespread this is.
@Dr MBP Phillips, I have similar. I can login to All4 on the web browser but trying to play any content crashes it – either the TV restarts or the smartTV features don’t work for a minute. So annoying.
This is wrong advice i’m sorry to report,after many months of struggling to access all 4 through different routes on my 2020 55″ LG,only to be disconnected altogether from the internet after being welcomed into my sign in account and getting as far as pressing play on any of my favourite Walter Presents box sets then watching the buffering circles for all of ten seconds before the whole thing freezes before throwing me out back to ordinary tv!Spoke with all 4 rep on the phone.He’s told me that whichever route i try to access all 4 services; no web or app will support this particular tv(year) due to unresolved licensing issues.I’m fortunate(to use the term guardedly) to have Sky catch up services which also negates having to sit through endless ad breaks.But,ever since covid forced programmers to work from home,Sky have proved less than reliable in showing Walter’s box sets’episodes in proper sequence;sometimes starting halfway through a series with a single 4th episode!I considered Sky glass until i read the numerous reports of glitching and wi-fi drop outs.I realise there are roku/amazon fire sticks et al,but mulitiple disabilities mean i’m very limited in organising muliple media plug-ins.One final gripe:so many reasonably priced hd/4k/uhd tvs available;so many new freeview programmes added,yet no new hd platforms added to enhance our newly upgraded tvs.Have you tried watching sport in UHD on the bbc iplayer?Total pants!Enough from me,thanks for listening.Regards,paul.
Thanks Paul. That’s a shame it no longer works. I will update the information above to let people know.
@Money Saver Pete, I switched on my 2020 43″ LG just now to see there was a software update. I installed it in hope this would resolve the All 4 missing app problem. But no.
So for the moment I’m keeping an old NowTV box connected via HDMI, just so I can access All 4 when I want to. Everything else I might ever need is there. For now.
But my experience with an older Panasonic Smart TV is that the TV model loses support for apps long before the TV itself needs replacement, so using an Amazon Fire/NowTV stick is probably the better long-term solution for most of us.
Hi Mike. Unfortunately, I’ve found the same with some of my TV’s. In fact, I bought a Sony smart TV for my daughter two years ago and it won’t allow me to download the Disney+ app. As you say, the Fire Sticks and similar seem to be the only way around the problem.
@Mike, just to add to this thread, as I’ve had a similar problem. If you have a PS4 you can access the All4 app on your LG TV through that.
Thank you for this, but alas, using the web browser does not work for me – it crashes when I try to play a show….
This is so frustrating I ve tried all this it now says enable Jarva script but need. Tom to do that and SHEIN want down lush any advice got a JVC computer
Great relief to now know why I have a problem getting All4 onto my expensive LG TV. It’s a licensing disagreement.
But also I am so annoyed with LG the TV can’t have express vpn loaded either. Thanks to my fire stick I can now watch Programmes whilst outside the UK.
My advice to new comers, be aware of LG’s short comings
Thanks so much for this article.
Seems to be an error on the web when using all 4, it will let me get onto the website however will automatically turn my tv off when selecting play. So therefore will not let me watch anything on all 4 even through web.
Anyone else having this problem
@Lillie, yes, having the same issue on mine, it switched the TV off
Thanks so much for your post, I’ve just purchased a LG smart tv (2022 model) it does come with itv hub but can’t watch live tv on this – only catch up 🤦🏽♀️ have followed your guide and can access it via browser but then it still won’t go full screen. So frustrating
Agreed Tracy. It’s very frustrating and can’t believe it’s still an issue after so long.
I had ITVX on my LG 43” Smart TV for the last 12 months but now it has mysteriously disappeared from the apps. Weird