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LG recently rolled out a firmware update to customers who own an LG TV in the UHD UM7X series, enabling HomeKit and AirPlay 2 functionality. LG originally said that this firmware update would be available in October, but the software has come out early.

LG UHD UM7X TV owners can download the new 04.70.03 software update to enable the new functionality. AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support first began rolling out on LG TVs in July.

lgtvsairplay2-800x400.jpg

With AirPlay 2, LG TV users can stream TV shows and movies from an iOS or macOS device directly to the television, with no Apple TV set-top box required. A movie can be started on an iPhone and AirPlayed right to a TV, plus content can be mirrored from a Mac or iOS device to the TV.

AirPlay 2 lets multiple audio sources to play the same content, so a song can be played on a single television set, multiple television sets, or a TV and other AirPlay 2 devices such as speakers for whole home audio.

The AirPlay 2 functionality in LG TVs is linked to HomeKit, so LG TV sets with the new firmware will show up in the Home app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. In the Home app, LG TV users can do things like switch inputs, turn the television on and off, and adjust the volume. Siri can also be used for these commands, so a simple "Hey Siri" voice request on an iOS or macOS device can adjust the volume or turn the TV on or off, much like other HomeKit products.

LG also plans to enable HomeKit and AirPlay 2 support on its LG UHD UM6X series television sets as well as the LG NanoCell SM83 series or below, but those software updates have yet to be released.

(Thanks, Samuel!)

Article Link: LG's 2019 UHD UM7X TVs Now Support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit
 
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I wonder when TCL will finally get it. I gave up on waiting and bought an AppleTV box.. No regrets yet
 
AirPlay 2 lets multiple audio sources to play the same content, so a song can be played on a single television set, multiple television sets, or a TV and other AirPlay 2 devices such as speakers for whole home audio.

I don't think you meant "multiple audio sources" here? That would be strange, hearing multiple songs at the same time. Or a song and a TV show at once. 🤣
 
Installed this morning and had a go with it just now. Any way to screen share to the TV while listening to audio on my Bluetooth accessory, like Powerbeats Pro or whatever?

Update: got the PB Pros to play audio when screensharing from the Mac, but Mac doesn't have audio share. Wanted basically to stream from Mac or phone and play audio to two sets of earphones, PB Pros and AirPods. Can watch TV loud without driving the neighbours mad that way..
 
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Your best option is to keep the TV disconnected from the network at all times. Update the firmware via a USB thumb drive--not to use AirPlay, because AirPlay needs a network connection, but just to make sure other bugs are fixed. Connect the TV to the network and you leave yourself unnecessarily open to spying and malware. Use AirPlay via an Apple TV connected to the TV via HDMI.
 
Software_File(Version_04.70.03) -- 26/09/2019

Detailed applicable model list : Please check with reference Tab exactly
* SW information

1. Improvement
1) Apple Airplay2 & HomeKit service
2) TV Voice assistant using mobile LG TV plus App
3) Adding Voice assistant feature in Netflix
4) Enhancement to Amazon Alexa service
5) Enhancement to Home Dashboard

2. Applicable model list
55UM7510PLA
65UM7510PLA
55UM7610PLB
65UM7610PLB
55UM76107LB
65UM76107LB
55UM7660PLA
65UM7660PLA
43UM7500PLA
50UM7500PLA
43UM76007LB
50UM76007LB
49SM8200PLA
55SM8200PLA
65SM8200PLA
49SM82007LA
55SM82007LA
65SM82007LA
49SM8000PLA
55SM8000PLA
65SM8000PLA
43UM7450PLA
50UM7450PLA
55UM7450PLA
65UM7450PLA
70UM7450PLA
65UM7100PLA
70UM7100PLA
75UM7110PLB
43UM7490PLC
49UM7490PLC
43UM74507LA
50UM74507LA
55UM74507LA
65UM74507LA
43UM71007LB
49UM71007LB
55UM71007LB
60UM71007LB
43UM7100PLB
49UM7100PLB
55UM7100PLB
60UM7100PLB
43UM7300PLB
49UM7300PLB
50UM7300PLB
55UM7300PLB
65UM7300PLB
43UM7390PLC
49UM7390PLC
43UM7400PLB
49UM7400PLB
55UM7400PLB
65UM7400PLB
65UM7600PLB
43UM7600PLB
50UM7600PLB
75UM7600PLB
43UM7650PLA
 
Your best option is to keep the TV disconnected from the network at all times. Update the firmware via a USB thumb drive--not to use AirPlay, because AirPlay needs a network connection, but just to make sure other bugs are fixed. Connect the TV to the network and you leave yourself unnecessarily open to spying and malware. Use AirPlay via an Apple TV connected to the TV via HDMI.
If you are that worried you can run it on a separate vlan or isolate it another way from the rest of your network.
 
I got the LG Nano 8 49" for my bedroom. The Homekit works great and the TV is spectacular. I use an Apple TV and HomePods as my soundbar.
 
Fixed that for you.
Well, not really. When I called LG, they said they were prepared to enable my model B8 but it was up to Apple to play nice with them. So... what say you, Apple? Of course I could get a different response from another person at LG and so on and so on...
 
Well, not really. When I called LG, they said they were prepared to enable my model B8 but it was up to Apple to play nice with them. So... what say you, Apple? Of course I could get a different response from another person at LG and so on and so on...
Apple don't write the LG TV firmware, LG do: Apple just provide the APIs / dev support. My guess is LG won't bring it to earlier TVs to try and force upgrades.
 
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Well, not really. When I called LG, they said they were prepared to enable my model B8 but it was up to Apple to play nice with them. So... what say you, Apple? Of course I could get a different response from another person at LG and so on and so on...
I don't think a normal customer representative would have such information at hand to be honest... I own a C8 as well and imho the CPU should manage AirPlay. The TV feels snappy and there are not stutter times...
AFAIK LG will bring it to all ThinQ branded TVs eventually
Do you have any info on that? Source? Something?

Like said, I think that the ThinQ branded TVs with the (?) quad core CPU should manage airplay... my bet is that LG simply does not have the manpower to roll out AirPlay to every TV it wants, so it starts with the high end models... I hope the C8 gets the update tho...
 
Well, not really. When I called LG, they said they were prepared to enable my model B8 but it was up to Apple to play nice with them. So... what say you, Apple? Of course I could get a different response from another person at LG and so on and so on...

I had a similar issue with FitBit. I emailed them to ask when their app would sync with Apple Health and the replied with a generic “we make our APIs available for all developers”.

Just like FitBit, Apple isn’t going to seek out LGs APIs to add functionality to someone else’s products. I find the type of attitude so off putting, but it does seem consistent with LG.
 
I’ll just throw in C7 support would be nice although I know there’s zero chance of that happening as even the C8 and similar are very unlikely to get the upgrade. And TVs back to 2016 easily have the processing power to cope.

On a related matter, I wonder if Apple will release the AppleTV app for LG TVs going back a few years or whether that’ll be modern sets only? I wasn’t that bothered but having ordered a new iPhone (that I’m STILL waiting for) the free year of AppleTV+ would be nice to watch on my 2017 LG OLED. No way I’m buying an AppleTV 4K just for the year and I don’t fancy watching on my iPhone Pro however good the screen is.

21st century problems 😉
 
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