PeleHome

Full guide

Installing PeleHome on an LG TV, step by step

LG's webOS is a "walled garden": normally, apps can only be installed from LG's store, which keeps the TV to apps that were checked and suit your model. To install an outside file (.ipk) such as PeleHome, you use LG's official Developer Mode. This guide walks you through all of it.

Warning: for advanced users, at your own risk

This guide is for advanced users. Responsibility for your TV and for any damage caused by following it or by using the app is yours alone. If you are not sure, it is better not to go on. Continuing means you accept that every step is at your own risk. Disclaimer

Create a developer account (free)

Installing an outside app needs an LG developer account. If you do not have one, open it on the developer site:

  1. Go to LG's developer site: webostv.developer.lge.com (opens in a new window)
  2. Click SIGN IN in the top corner.
  1. Click CREATE ACCOUNT. In the window that opens, choose your country.
  2. Read and accept LG's terms and privacy policy, and click AGREE.
  3. Enter an email address (it is your username) and a password.
  4. Confirm you are 14 or older, and click OK.
  1. Wait for LG's email to verify the account, and click CONFIRM in it.
  2. Keep the username and password: the TV asks for them.

Install the Developer Mode app on the TV

This is LG's official tool that puts the TV in Developer Mode and allows a secure connection from your computer.

  1. On the TV, open the app store (LG Content Store).
  2. Search for and install the app Developer Mode.

Turn Developer Mode on

  1. Open Developer Mode on the TV and sign in with your developer account.
  1. Turn on Dev Mode Status and Key Server.
  2. The TV asks to restart: say yes.
  3. After the restart, open Developer Mode again and check both are on.
  4. Note the two things that matter: the IP Address and the Passphrase.

Connect your computer to the TV

Over to the computer. First download PeleHome (a file ending in .ipk) from the download section. The free webOS Dev Manager tool installs it straight to the TV.

  1. Download webOS Dev Manager: downloads page (opens in a new window). On Windows, pick the file ending in x64_en-US.msi.
  1. Install it. Restarting the computer afterwards avoids trouble.
  2. Open webOS Dev Manager and click Add Device to add the TV.
  1. On the Connection Mode screen choose Use Developer Mode.
  1. Tick the four preparation steps (exactly what you have done so far in this guide).
  1. On the Setup Device screen, enter a name for the TV, its IP address and the Passphrase (the security code).
  2. Click Finish.

Install PeleHome

  1. Once connected, click Install in the top corner.
  1. Choose the file you downloaded (PeleHomeWebOS-x.y.z.ipk) and click Open. The file is sent to the TV.
  2. The Installed tab lists the apps you installed in Developer Mode.
  3. PeleHome now appears in the TV's app bar. Open it, and a short wizard helps you pick a language, a city and a look.

To have PeleHome open when the TV turns on: in PeleHome, Settings › Advanced › Open on power-on. It explains the two TV settings to change.

Homebrew Channel Optional

Homebrew Channel is the community's alternative store for downloading and installing apps right on the TV. Install it from webOS Dev Manager:

  1. In the Available tab, choose Homebrew Channel.
  2. Click Details, then Install.

You can also add PeleHome's repository there and get updates from it: Settings › Extra repositories › add https://tv.pelehome.com/apps.json

Most tools there are for "rooted" TVs, which have no protections. Some apps there do not need root. PeleHome does not need root.

Terminal access Advanced only

You can open a terminal on the TV and run commands on it, through Terminal in webOS Dev Manager. Installing PeleHome does not need it.

Extending Developer Mode

An app installed in Developer Mode stays on the TV for a limited time: about 1000 hours on recent TVs (roughly 40 days). When it runs out, the apps are removed and have to be installed and set up again.

To extend it, open Developer Mode on the TV and click Extend Session Time. There is no limit: extend whenever you like.

PeleHome does this for you: it checks how much time is left and extends it by itself, in the background, while the TV is idle.

This guide is based on Installing outside apps on LG TVs (opens in a new window) on LG webOS TV Israel.

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