LG rolls out AirPlay 2 & HomeKit for 2019 TVs

24 Jul 2019 | Rasmus Larsen |

If you have an LG 2019 model (7 series or higher) you can download the AirPlay 2 and HomeKit update starting tomorrow. If you have an older model you are out of luck.

AirPlay 2 and HomeKitAirPlay 2 and HomeKit will start rolling out to owners of 2019 LG OLED TVs and "NanoCell" LCD TVs in more than 140 countries starting tomorrow, July 25. Over the coming weeks, it will also be made available to LG UM7x models.

- "With AirPlay 2, LG 2019 AI TV owners can effortlessly stream content -- including Dolby Vision titles – from iPhone, iPad and Mac straight to their TV sets. Users can stream their favorite movies and television shows from the Apple TV app and other video apps as well as view photos directly on their LG AI TVs. Users can also play Apple Podcasts, Apple Music and music from their library or other streaming services through their LG AI TV and other AirPlay 2-compatible speakers in their home at the same time – all in sync," said LG.

AirPlay works natively in almost any iOS app - unless the app developer has deactivated the feature, like Netflix - and as such it brings a wealth of new streaming content to LG TVs that lack apps for many second-tier streaming service.

HomeKit is Apple's platform for the connected home. It allows you to control certain aspects of your LG TV, including "basic TV functions such as power, volume and source", via an iPhone or iPad, or through voice commands to Siri via an iPhone/iPad or HomePod. LG says that its TVs can "also be added to scenes or automations along with other HomeKit accessories" from Apple's Home app but it is a little unclear if this will require iOS 13 that will be released this fall.

Only for 2019 modelsAirPlay 2 and HomeKit support will be reserved for LG's 2019 models. The company is not providing updates for its webOS platform in TVs and has opted not to bring Apple's features to previous TVs either.

Disappointed owners have been petitioning LG and Sony to bring the Apple features to existing TVs but so far both companies have ignored the requests.

- "LG remains at the forefront of TV technological innovation because of our never-ending quest to deliver the best home viewing experience," said Brian Kwon, president LG Mobile & Home Entertainment. "With Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support, we are demonstrating our commitment to offering consumer benefits that go beyond just best-in-class picture quality."

Samsung has also partnered with Apple and became the first brand to offer AirPlay 2 functionality in its TVs. LG is the first brand to offer HomeKit as Samsung TVs do not support HomeKit. On the other hand Samsung TVs got the Apple 'TV' app.

AirPlay 2 is also coming to select TVs from Sony and Vizio, and Apple's 'TV' app is coming to the select TVs from LG (most likely in Q4), Sony, and Vizio as well as the Roku and FireTV platforms. In addition, some of these devices will get HomeKit.