LG Backtracks on Promise to Bring AirPlay 2 and HomeKit to Select 2018 TV Models

LG has "no plans" to update its pre-2019 TVs with AirPlay 2 or HomeKit support, despite previously giving customers assurances that they would do so this year.

lgtvsairplay2
In April, LG indicated in a support document that it planned to add ‌AirPlay‌ 2 and ‌HomeKit‌ support to some of its 2018 smart TVs by October 2020, including LCD models with "SK" or "UK" in the name and OLED models with "B8" through "Z8" in the name.

Shortly after the news broke, however, all mention of LG's plan for the 2018 TVs was mysteriously removed from the support page, and LG remained silent on the matter for months thereafter.

LG 2018 TV HomeKit AirPlay 2

Screenshot showing LG's TV update plans, since removed (Image via HardwareZone)

It wasn't until a little over a week ago when a customer asked LG's official UK Twitter account for an update on when the support would arrive that LG finally admitted it has no intention of fulfilling its promise.


The development is likely to cause consternation and anger among LG customers, especially anyone who bought a 2018 TV based on LG's update plan, not to mention the almost 22,000 LG TV owners who believed their petition calling for the company to bring the support had resulted in success.


‌AirPlay‌ 2 support would have enabled users of the above TV models to stream videos, music, podcasts, and more directly from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to their LG smart TV, with no Apple TV necessary. With ‌HomeKit‌ support, they would have easily been able to control their TV's power, volume, source, and more using Siri or the Home app on ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, and Mac.

Sadly, neither looks like it will now be happening.

Top Rated Comments

johannnn Avatar
66 months ago
This is why I have an Apple TV. I have no trust in TV manufacturers. Oh, and I hate their ****** android interface. Oh, and did I mention they put ads on my android home screen?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
matrix07 Avatar
66 months ago
Personally I only want 2 things out of my TV, best picture quality and best implementation of HDMI ports. That’s all. I don’t even connect my TV to my router.
Relying on TV software is a bag of hurt.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BYTE RIDER Avatar
66 months ago

This is why I have an Apple TV. I have no trust in TV manufacturers. Oh, and I hate their ****** android interface. Oh, and did I mention they put ads on my android home screen?
Do you mean WebOS?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Marbles1 Avatar
66 months ago
Pathetic level of support. Good reminder to never buy from LG.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
steve62388 Avatar
66 months ago
Pretty dodgy of LG. If there is a legit technical reason why it’s not possible they could come out and say it. This smacks of a marketing and sales decision (ie sell you a new telly).
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
66 months ago
All the big TV vendors only care about providing updates to very recent models. LG is no different, usually current models and one year earlier.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)