LG has announced that it will allow users to delete the Microsoft Copilot shortcut from its webOS smart TVs following widespread complaints from customers. The move comes after a recent software update added Microsoft Copilot to certain LG TVs without prior notice, triggering backlash from users who said the feature appeared unannounced and could not be removed.
The issue surfaced over the weekend when LG TV owners began sharing screenshots on Reddit, showing a Copilot tile pinned to their TV home screens after installing the latest webOS update. The posts quickly gained traction, with thousands of upvotes and hundreds of comments from users reporting the same experience across multiple LG TV models.
In response to the criticism, LG confirmed that it will update webOS to give users the option to remove or delete the Copilot shortcut if they do not wish to use the AI feature.
What triggered the LG Copilot controversy
According to affected users, Microsoft Copilot appeared automatically after the software update, placed alongside popular streaming apps such as Netflix and YouTube. Unlike regular apps, however, Copilot could not be uninstalled. LG’s support documentation explains that some system-level or pre-installed apps can only be hidden rather than deleted, and Copilot was treated the same way.
This lack of user control became the core issue, with many customers expressing frustration over having AI features added to their TVs without consent. Users also noted that the Copilot integration offered limited functionality compared to expectations.
LG had earlier revealed plans to integrate Microsoft Copilot into webOS as part of its broader “AI TV” strategy, first announced at CES 2025. Copilot was promoted as an extension of LG’s AI Search, intended to help users ask questions, discover content, and receive personalised recommendations.
However, the implementation seen by users appeared basic, leading to disappointment and renewed debate over forced AI features, user choice, and software transparency on smart TVs. By allowing users to remove the Copilot shortcut, LG is now attempting to address concerns and restore trust, highlighting the growing importance of user control and opt-in AI experiences in consumer electronics.
