LG's stuck Copilot app on TVs — what that means for selling or buying used sets

Mark Kurkdjian
13 hours ago
3 min read

LG pushed a Microsoft Copilot app onto some smart TVs and owners found it can't be removed. That change matters for anyone buying, selling, or pawning a set in town.

The real issue

A recent report says LG added an unremovable Microsoft Copilot app to certain smart TVs and people noticed it and complained online. That’s the story fact we’re working from; details weren’t provided.

Why does this matter at the counter? Built-in, unremovable software can reduce how attractive a used TV is. Buyers want clean menus, control over apps, and reassurance about privacy.

An unremovable app is a red flag for resale value. Some buyers will assume the TV is locked down or gets pushed ads and they'll knock down their offer. In Vancouver’s used market that matters more than in some places — local buyers often prefer sets that are easy to reset and sell on again.

The privacy angle is real for many people here. Tech-savvy buyers will ask about microphones, accounts, and whether the TV phones home. If you can’t remove an app they consider invasive, they might walk.

Also think about trade channels. Pawnshops, local classifieds, and small electronics resellers in the city move a lot of secondhand TVs. Any extra friction — like unexplained apps — slows a sale and forces lower prices.

At the counter, we care less about the headline and more about what’s already trading in the pre-owned market. Most walk-ins are owners of a piece they’ve had for a while, or they bought it used and want a realistic number today.

Stories like this still move the used market because they change what buyers compare and what sellers expect. That affects how quickly deals close when you’re trying to sell locally without headaches.

Verification is where value gets protected. The safest money is money you can explain: clear ownership, consistent paperwork, and a condition story that matches what’s in front of you at the counter.

Liquidity is the part most people miss. Some items look hot online but move slowly in real life unless the price is right. Faster resale comes from fewer unknowns and a simple path to a known local buyer.

Think in exit routes. Selling to a collector is different than selling to a dealer or an online reseller. The narrower the buyer pool, the more conservative the offer has to be.

Condition is money, but so is service history. A small scratch isn’t the killer; unknown service, missing paperwork, or questionable parts are what shrink offers fast.

Timing matters. If you need cash today, you trade some upside for speed. If you can wait, you can often sell smarter and protect your number.

The pawnshop play (Vancouver)

Lead with the software when you price and describe a trade-in. Tell customers the TV has a persistent Copilot/Microsoft app and that it may be unremovable, then explain how that changes resale speed and likely offers. Local walk-in buyers want clarity; being upfront saves time and avoids returns.

Price it assuming fewer interested buyers and expect to negotiate harder than for a “clean” smart TV. Check for easy mitigations before you list or pawn. Try a factory reset, remove linked accounts, and update firmware — then note what did or didn’t clear.

If the app survives a reset, treat the set like a lower-demand model and adjust your loan or buy price accordingly. Mention the app to potential buyers in ads and at the counter so you’re not surprised by a refusal later. Know who will still buy it fast in town.

Students furnishing apartments, someone needing a large screen for a short term, or a shop that refurbishes sets for parts will take it quicker but at a lower price. Move these units through quicker lanes in the shop so they don't sit on the floor and eat margin. Keep separate pricing and a clear note in inventory about the non-removable app so staff aren’t caught off guard.