Rooting your LG webOS TV can unlock a host of new features and capabilities, allowing you to customize your viewing experience to a greater extent. This guide is designed for technically inclined owners of LG webOS TVs who wish to root their devices using a Python script. Before proceeding, please ensure that you understand the risks involved with rooting, which may include voiding your warranty.
Prerequisites
- A computer with Python 3 installed (https://www.python.org/downloads/).
- The LG TV should be connected to the same local network as your computer.
- Make sure your TV’s webOS version is supported by the script. The most recent supported versions are:
- webOS 4.9.7 - 5.30.40 (tested on LG43UM7000PLA)
- webOS 5.5.0 - 04.50.51 (tested on OLED55CXPUA)
- webOS 6.3.3-442 (kisscurl-kinglake) - 03.36.50 (tested on OLED48C1PUB)
- webOS 7.3.1-43 (mullet-mebin) - 03.33.85 (tested on OLED55A23LA)
To verify your full webOS version, press the Mute button on your remote 5 times while on any HDMI input.
Step 1: Download the Script
Use this link to download everything required as a zip archive: Download zip
Alternatively, you can visit the project’s GitHub repository at https://github.com/illixion/root-my-webos-tv and download the files rootmytv.py and requirements.txt.
Step 2: Install Required Packages
Open a terminal or command prompt on your computer and navigate to the directory where you downloaded the files (on Windows, run cd %USERPROFILE%\Downloads). Install the required Python packages with the following command:
pip install -r requirements.txt
Step 3: Run the Rooting Script
Run the rootmytv.py script by typing:
python rootmytv.py
The script will prompt you to enter your TV’s LAN IP address. You can find this in your TV’s network settings.
Step 4: Follow the On-Screen Instructions
After entering the IP address, the script will attempt to root your TV. Follow any on-screen instructions that are shown.
Step 5: Verify the Root
If successful, the script will return a success message along with the telnet IP and port. You can now enjoy the benefits of a rooted TV, such as installing custom software or exploring the underlying webOS system.
Step 6: Install the Homebrew Channel
To further enhance your rooted TV, consider installing the Homebrew Channel. Visit https://github.com/webosbrew/webos-homebrew-channel?tab=readme-ov-file#installation for instructions on how to install it. This will allow you to install apps such as an ad-free version of YouTube, custom screensavers or ambient lighting software that works system-wide.
Important: if you’ve never used the developer mode on your TV before, you’ll need to enable it to be able to install apps. This can be done by executing the following commands:
rm -rf /var/luna/preferences/devmode_enabled && mkdir -p /var/luna/preferences/devmode_enabled
restart appinstalld
Disclaimer: Rooting your TV can be risky and may void your warranty or even brick the TV if you modify any system files. This guide is provided for educational purposes only, and the author is not responsible for any damage that may occur.
Happy rooting, and enjoy exploring the new possibilities of your LG webOS TV! If you encounter any issues or errors, feel free to leave a comment.