Some TV owners notice Microsoft quietly added something to their smart TVs, and there’s no way to get rid of it

LG TV owners have been in for a surprise following a recent webOS update: the Microsoft Copilot app has suddenly appeared on their smart TV home screens. What has caused frustration is not just its unexpected arrival, but the fact that users currently have no way to remove it from their devices.

According to PC World, online communities are currently confused and annoyed. Many users are taking to social media and forums to express their irritation at having software automatically installed without consent, especially when it cannot be disabled or deleted. The sudden appearance of Copilot has left many questioning why such a significant change was made without providing an option to opt out.

The app’s presence is the result of LG’s ongoing partnership with Microsoft. As part of its push toward what it calls “AI TV,” LG is integrating Microsoft Copilot to bring AI-powered features directly to its televisions. The company had previously announced that the collaboration would enable more intelligent search capabilities, content recommendations, and interactive experiences via Copilot. 

LG forces AI features without giving users a real choice

Right now, the app is just a simple web shortcut that takes you to Copilot online for AI search and recommendations. Even as a shortcut, having unwanted software taking up space on your screen is annoying. It feels like losing control when an update forces an app onto your device without asking.

Bloatware is common, but seeing it on a major smart TV platform like webOS is concerning. Similar to how tech companies push controversial features without user consent, forced software installations create unnecessary headaches for users. Even if you never plan to use AI search on your TV, the app stays on your device.

You cannot completely delete Copilot from the TV’s storage, but there is one option: you can hide the app. When hidden, Copilot will not show up on your main home screen anymore. Hiding the app is better than seeing it constantly, but it does not fix the real problem of forced installation.

This situation shows the conflict between manufacturers pushing new features and users wanting control over their own expensive devices. LG’s “AI TV” plan promises faster features and personalized recommendations, but the company needs to let users truly uninstall apps, especially ones pushed without warning. Just as tech giants continue redesigning devices without asking users first, TV owners deserve control over what appears on their screens.

Advanced AI features are good, but user experience means respecting what appears on the home screen. LG needs to fix this issue quickly to keep their customers happy and avoid backlash against their AI partnership plans.