Earlier this week, several LG smart TV owners reported that Microsoft Copilot had suddenly appeared pinned to their TV’s home screen following a recent webOS update, with no option to fully uninstall it. While the shortcut could be hidden, users found that it couldn’t be removed entirely, prompting frustration and criticism over what many noted felt like a forced addition.
The appearance of Copilot is tied to LG’s previously announced partnership with Microsoft under its broader “AI TV” initiative. According to LG, Copilot is intended to provide AI-powered search and content recommendations directly within the TV interface, positioning it as a core part of the company’s future smart TV experience rather than an optional extra.
Following the backlash, LG has now said it will reverse course. As reported by Engadget, the company announced that it will “take steps to allow users to delete the shortcut icon if they so desire,” addressing one of the main complaints from affected users. However, LG has not yet shared a timeline for when this change will roll out.
LG also clarified that Copilot is not a native app installed on the TV, despite appearances. Instead, the icon is simply a shortcut that launches the AI chatbot through the TV’s built-in web browser, a distinction that may reduce concerns for some users but did little to calm the initial reaction.