Smart TVs and Operating Systems (39 Questions Answered)
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Smart TVs are “smart” due to the capability of the Operating System (OS) that runs on the TV.
It is the OS that makes it possible to stream content on the TV.
But an OS does much more than that.
An OS provides access to all the advanced features of a TV. It also allows users to access devices that are connected to the TV.
In this article, we list the Operating Systems that different manufacturers use.
We also answer some of the common questions people have around Smart TV Operating Systems.
Let’s get into it.
Can I change the Operating System on my Smart TVs?
The Operating System on Smart TVs cannot be changed. The OS, particularly the Kernel, is often highly customized by the manufacturer to work with the chip vendor. This enables it to work seamlessly with the TV’s hardware.
In other words, it’s very “baked in”.
Installing a different OS on a Smart TV would require changes to the kernel so that it could interface correctly with the TV.
Although this is theoretically possible, the TV manufacturer would never release the details required for you to be able to do this.
Do Smart TVs run Linux?
More than half of all Smart TVs run Operating Systems that are based on Linux. These include Android, Tizen, WebOS, and Amazon’s FireOS.
What Operating System do Samsung Smart TVs use?
Samsung TVs use the Tizen Operating System which is Open-Source. This allows any developer, device manufacturer or software vendor to contribute to the source code.
It is also based on Linux and supports a wide range of devices from TVs to home appliances, fitness trackers and even signage.
What Operating System do Sony Smart TVs use?
Sony has used the Android Operating System in it’s TVs since 2015.
What Operating System do Samsung QLED TVs use?
Samsung QLED TVs use the Tizen Operating System developed in-house by Samsung.
What Operating System do LG Smart TVs use?
LG TVs use WebOS, a Linux-based Operating System developed originally by Palm, Inc.
The OS was later acquired by Hewlett Packard who then made it open-source at which point the name changed to WebOS.
LG then acquired the OS and used it exclusively in their Smart TVs.
However, more recently LG has opened it up and is allowing other manufacturers to include the software in their TVs.
What Operating System do Hisense Smart TVs use?
Hisense TVs use the Vidaa and Android Operating Systems. Hisense has also teamed up with Roku for some TVs.
In those TVs you get the same OS that comes with the Roku streaming devices.
The Vidaa OS was developed in-house by Hisense and made its debut in 2014.
What Operating System do Panasonic Smart TVs use?
Panasonic TVs use the Firefox OS and Android Operating Systems in their TVs.
Panasonic co-developed the Firefox OS with Mozilla. But in 2016, Mozilla announced that it was discontinuing all commercial development on the OS.
Panansoic then “forked” the Firefox OS, called it “MyHomeScreen” and continued its development.
Forking is a term used by the Open Source community when a new project is based on an existing codebase.
In 2020 Panasonic unveiled a range of TVs that are based on Google’s Android Operating System.
What Operating System do Vizio Smart TVs use?
Vizio TVs use the SmartCast OS.
The SmartCast OS was built in-house by Vizio and utilises Chromecast, Apple Airplay and Apple HomeKit. It also has support for Apple Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
What Operating System do TCL Smart TVs use?
Up until 2020, TCL Smart TVs shipped with the Roku OS. But TCL is now selling TVs with the Android Operating System in the US.
What Operating System do RCA Smart TVs use?
RCA TVs use either Android or Roku Operating Systems. In 2021, LG announced that it will license its WebOS software to RCA, amongst other brands.
What Operating System do Apple Smart TVs use?
Apple TVs run TVOS. It’s based on iOS but with features added to it to optimize it for running on TVs.
What Operating System do JVC Smart TVs use?
JVC TVs either run the Roku Operating System or Android, depending on the model.
What Operating System do Fire TVs use?
All Amazon Fire Smart TVs and Fire TV devices such as the Amazon Firestick use Fire OS. Fire OS is a fork of the Android OS.
What Operating System do Hitachi Smart TVs use?
Hitachi uses either the Roku OS or Android in some of its later Smart TVs models.
What Operating System do Philips Smart TVs use?
Philips Smart TVs either run Philips Saphi OS or Android depending on the model.
Philips Saphi is a Linux based OS, but isn’t based on Android so you can’t side-load Android apps.
What Operating System do Polaroid Smart TVs use?
Some of the latest Polaroid TVs are powered by the webOS Operating System.
What Operating System do Roku Smart TVs use?
Roku TVs run the RokuOS. It’s a Linux-based Operating System that powers all Roku streaming devices.
What Operating System do Sharp Smart TVs use?
The latest Sharp TVs use the Android Operating System.
What Operating System do Toshiba Smart TVs use?
Some Toshiba TVs, particularly in India, run the Vidaa Operating System. In 2020, Toshiba announced that some of its TVs would be powered by Android.
There are also some Toshiba FireTVs available. These of course are based on Amazon’s FireOS, which is forked from Android.
What Operating System do Kodak Smart TVs use?
Kodak Smart TVs run the Android OS.
What Operating System do Insignia Smart TVs use?
Insignia Smart TVs now run Amazon’s FireOS. Prior to 2018 their models were running the Roku OS.
What Operating System do Devant Smart TVs use?
Devant TVs use the Vidaa Operating System.
What Operating System do EKO Smart TVs use?
EKO TVs use the Android Operating System. But in 2020, Ayonz released their first Smart TV powered by WebOS which was licenced to them by LG.
What Operating System do Grundig Smart TVs use?
Grundig Smart TVs use the Android Operating System. Grundig also has some Fire TV edition TVs that are powered by Amazon’s FireOS.
What Operating System do Haier Smart TVs use?
Haier Smart TVs use the Android Operating System.
What Operating System do Hyundai Smart TVs use?
Hyundai Smart TVs use the Android Operating System.
What Operating System do Huawei Smart TVs use?
Huawei uses its own proprietary Operating System called HarmonyOS or HongmengOS on its Smart TVs.
What Operating System do Haier Smart TVs use?
Haier TVs use the Android Operating System.
What Operating System do VU Smart TVs use?
VU TVs use the Android Operating System.
What Operating System do Onida Smart TVs use?
Onida TVs use the FireTV OS.
What Operating System do Vestel Smart TVs use?
Vestel TVs use the Android Operating System.
What Operating System do Vox Smart TVs use?
Vox TVs use the Android Operating System.
What Operating System do Xiaomi Smart TVs use?
Xiaomi TVs use the Android Operating System.
What Operating System do Onida Smart TVs use?
Onida TVs use the Android Operating System. Onida also has some Fire TV edition TVs that are powered by Amazon’s FireOS.
Are Bush Smart TVs Android?
Yes, Bush Smart TVs are based on the Android Operating System.
Are Blaupunkt Smart TVs Android?
Yes, Blaupunkt Smart TVs run the Android Operating System.
Are Coocaa Smart TVs Android?
Yes, Coocaa Smart TVs run the Android Operating System.
Are Thomson Smart TVs Android?
Yes, Thomson Smart TVs are based on the Android Operating System.
Sources
Did you know Linux is in your TV?
Six Advantages of Tizen OS on Samsung Smart TVs – Samsung US Newsroom
Android TV vs Web OS: What are the differences and which is better?
Hisense Announces Global Launch of Revamped Smart TV Platform VIDAA
Panasonic’s Firefox OS is dead, long live Firefox OS
Mozilla is stopping all commercial development on Firefox OS
Android TV-based televisions are easier to buy in the US – get the TCL TVs now
EKO 75″ 4K Ultra HD Smart TV powered by webOS
Huawei’s new Vision TV offers 4K picture and a long list of AI powers
LG will license its webOS software to other TV brands
NDTV Gadgets 360: Tech News, Latest Technology, Mobiles, Laptops
Robert Anderson
Robert Anderson, the founder of Tech Parasol, had a keen interest in tech from a very young age. He studied Electronic Engineering at University and then went on to become a Software Developer. He launched Tech Parasol in 2021 to share his knowledge with the aim of making tech easier to understand for everyone.