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5 Easy Ways To Change The Input On LG TV (2023 How-To)

How To Change Input On LG TV

Even if you’re currently unsure of how you can change your LG TV’s input…

Don’t worry. 

Because honestly, it’s 1 of the easiest settings you can change on your LG TV.

And to make it even more convenient for you…

I’ll show you 5 different ways you can do this process. 

So just… 

Continue reading to find out:

  • 5 quick ways to change the input on your LG TV. 
  • How you can set up the official LG virtual remote app. 
  • 5 easy steps to change the input of your TV using its physical power button. 
  • And this is just the beginning… 

How to change input on LG TV – 5 ways


#1: By using your remote control

Let’s start with the easiest method to change the input on your LG TV.

And that’s by…

Using your remote control to change your input settings:

Step 1: Turn ON your TV

You can do this using the power ON button on your remote.

Or by simply pressing the physical power button on your TV itself. 

Step 2: Press Home on your remote control

Now, depending on the model of your remote… 

This button may have a symbol of a house or the complete word “HOME” written out on it. 

Either way, click that button so it’ll direct you to your TV’s home screen.

And while you’re there… 

Step 3: Tap the INPUT button on your remote control

This will bring up all the available inputs on your TV. 

Once you see this menu… 

Step 4: Scan through the list and decide on which input you want to choose

Navigate using the UP and DOWN arrows on your remote control.

And once you hover over the input you want to use…

Tap the OK button on your remote control to select it. 

Then…

Step 5: Confirm the selection 

Some TV models will ask whether or not you’re sure about switching your inputs.

And when that happens…

Simply click the OK button on your remote control again. 

You might also want to know: (3 Steps) How To Use Split Screen On LG TV

#2: By using the TV’s power button

Even if you’re like me, who frequently misplaces her remote control…

There’s nothing to worry about.

Why?

Because you can also… 

Change the input of your TV using its power button:

Step 1: Turn ON on your TV
Turn On Your TV

Locate the power button of your device and tap it once to power it up. 

If you start seeing a static picture on your screen…

Don’t worry. 

That normally happens when your TV isn’t set to the correct input. 

But now that your TV is ON…

Step 2: Press the power button once again.

Fret not. This won’t turn OFF your device. 

See, if your TV only has the power button on it… 

That button also becomes responsible for controlling different functions like:

  • Changing the input. 
  • Changing the volume.
  • Switching between channels. 

So ahead and tap that power button. 

Once you do, a window will show up, and you’ll be instructed to… 

Step 3: Tap the button once more.

Doing this will let you access the menu of your TV.

And once you’re there… 

Step 4: Select Inputs from the menu choices. 

“How do I navigate between the settings?” 

It’s simple. 

All you need to do is click the power button once to move to the next option. 

Now, it’s worth noting that in most models, the Inputs is the 2nd option from the list.

And if that’s the case with your TV as well…

Just tap your power button once to highlight Inputs. 

Then… 

Step 5: Press and hold the power button. 

This is the action that allows you to select something on your screen. 

So once you hover over the Inputs option. 

Press and hold the power button until the list of available inputs shows up. 

Note: Don’t press the button for longer than 3 seconds. As this will turn OFF the TV. 

Step 5: Select the Input you want to use. 

To scroll through the choices, just continue tapping the power button once.

And once you’re highlighting the input name you want to choose…

Press and hold the power button. 

If done correctly, your screen should project your chosen input source. 

Now, stop interacting with your TV and wait for a couple of seconds.

This will automatically make the menu options at the bottom of your screen disappear.

And you can start to enjoy watching from your new input. 

Finding it hard to navigate using the power button alone? Then this video might be able to help: 

Note: These steps might not apply to older LG TVs with several buttons on the device. In those cases, I suggest finding your TV’s manual on LG’s official website instead. 

#3: By using the LG ThinQ app

If you don’t have a remote but don’t want to use the physical button on your TV as well…

Then you can download the LG ThinQ app instead. 

What’s that?”

It’s an official LG app that lets you easily control several LG appliances. 

And with that, it acts as a virtual remote control for LG TVs. 

Don’t have the app yet? No worries.

Here’s how you can easily install the LG ThinQ app on your device: 

For iOS users:
  1. Turn ON your phone and go to the App Store.
  2. Tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom right of your screen.
  3. Click the search bar at the top, and type in “LG ThinQ.”
  4. Once you see the app on the list, tap the GET option beside its name. 
  5. Input your passcode or password if needed. 
  6. Wait for the process to finish. 

You may also click this link to access the app directly. 

For Android users:
  1. On your device, go to the Google Play Store app. 
  2. Tap the search option and type in “LG ThinQ.”
  3. Find the official app from the list and select it. 
  4. Tap the Install option.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions, if there are any. 
  6. Wait for the download process to be completed. 

Note: Exact steps may vary depending on the brand or model of your Android device. But you may also click here to go directly to the app’s download page.

Now that you have the app, here are the steps to…

Change your LG TV’s input using the LG ThinQ app:

Step 1: Turn ON your TV.

Step 2: Ensure that your TV and phone are connected to the same Wifi. 

Step 3: Open the LGThinQ app on your phone.

Step 4: Create an account on the app. 

The easiest ways to sign in to LG ThinQ are by using: 

  • Facebook. 
  • An LG account. 
  • A Google account. 

Step 5: Add your TV to the app.

Here’s how you do it:

  1. Tap the Add a Device in the middle of the app’s screen. 
  2. Tap OK.
  3. From the list of appliances, select TV. 
  4. It’ll automatically scan for available LG TVs near you. 
  5. Once your TV’s name shows up on the list, select it. 
  6. A verification number will show up on your TV screen.
  7. Manually encode it to the LG app on your phone. 
  8. Once done, tap the Move to Home option. 

Step 6: Select the Input button on your virtual remote. 

Your screen should be showing a layout similar to a remote by now. 

And from the available virtual buttons, select the 1 that represents the input. 

If you’re not familiar with that looks like… 

It’s the button that looks like a power plug. 

And it’s usually located between the BACK button and the Settings (gear icon). 

Step 7: Select the input you want to use.

After tapping the button, you’ll see the list of available inputs on your TV screen.

Navigate using your virtual remote and select the input you want to connect to. 

And just like that, you’ll change the input on your TV. 

Read next: (11 Fixes) LG TV WiFi Is Turned Off

#4: By downloading 3rd party remote apps

Apart from the official LG remote app… 

There are many free apps you can use to act as your TV’s virtual remote control. 

Now, if you’re wondering…

“Why use externals apps if there’s an official 1?”

Then allow me to share some… 

Advantages of using an unofficial virtual remote for your TV:

  • It lets you control several TVs at once.
  • You can access TV apps directly from your phone. 
  • You can use the app immediately (no sign-in required).

Now, of course, not all virtual remote apps you see online are effective. 

So to help you save time… 

I tried out different virtual remote apps and picked the best ones in the market. 

With that… 

Here are 3 of the best free virtual remote apps for LG TVs:

#1: LGeeRemote: Remote for LG TV (iOS and Android)

This free app has more than 10M+ downloads on Google Play Store alone.

And that in itself shows how convenient this is for many people. 

LGeeRemote connects with your TV instantly. 

But 1 downside many people agree with is the frequent ads inside the application. 

#2: Smartify: LG TV remote (iOS and Android)

If you want to use an app that lets you directly choose between LG channels… 

Consider downloading Smartify. 

Just ensure that your TV is connected to your mobile device’s Wi-Fi

And you’ll be good to go. 

Now, unlike most virtual remote apps, Smartify has minimal ads.

But according to some users…

The app sometimes crashes after playing long advertisement videos. 

#3: Remote For LG webOS Smart TV (Available on Android devices only)

What’s unique about this app is…

It allows you to choose which LG remote model you’re most comfortable with. 

So you can use a virtual interface mimicking the specific remote layout of your choice.

Honestly, this feature makes this app very user-friendly. 

But 1 downside of this application is it disconnects from the TV randomly. 

#5: By physically switching out your input device

If you want to use a different external device as your input… 

Then you can simply physically switch out your current input device with the new 1. 

For example, if you want to connect your laptop to your TV instead of using your Roku device…

Just unplug the end of the HDMI cable connected to your Roku.

And once that end of the cable is free, simply connect it to your laptop.

Just like that, you’ll change your TV’s input source. 

Easy, right?

So just follow this process using any device with HDMI ports. 

And you’ll be good to go.