While software updates are generally suitable for the devices, Amazon has removed a very popular feature of Fire TV.
You Can No Longer Hide Apps on Fire TV
Amazon earlier allowed users to hide apps on Fire TV, thus making it easier to customize the home screen. This feature was an excellent solution for those who wanted to hide unwanted apps from their particular profiles while still keeping them on others.
The recent software update, initially reported by AFTVNews, was Amazon’s first step back. The update had apps unhidden, and the pre-installed apps, such as Prime Video and Fire TV Channels, were unavailable for uninstallation, too.
So, instead of having a perfect home screen layout, users end up with a cluttered screen filled with apps they may not want.
The update has already been released for some Fire TV devices, such as the first-generation Fire TV 4K and the second-generation Fire TV Max. Once Fire TV becomes popular, this mandate will likely be applied to all Fire TV models.
A Workaround to Hide Apps on Fire TV
But despite this, you can still hide apps on your Fire TV. An English YouTuber, TechDoctorUK, discovered that you can use a third-party app called atvTools, which is available on iOS and Android.
- iOS version: $0.99
- Android version: Free (with in-app purchases)
Here’s how you can hide the apps using atvTools:
- Get atvTools for your iOS or Android device.
- The app should see your Fire TV once you connect it to the device.
- Once you are in the app list, choose “the app you want to hide” in the app list.
- Tap the app menu to see the three dots under the app title.
- Choose to Disable to hide it.
- After that, you know the list of apps on Fire TV.
Adopting a more User-Centric Approach
Although Fire TV devices are commonly viewed as budget-friendly and thus offer reasonable prices, ad content like music or video imposed by Amazon is the downside.
By disabling or deleting user-installed apps, Amazon may be overlooking the user’s experience and concerns, instead focusing on ad revenue and app advertising.
Can any of you explain to me why the Fire TV seems to be a much better TV than the Apple TV?
On one hand, while Fire TV is an inexpensive alternative, Apple TV provides an exceptionally convenient experience without annoying ads and with an ultra-stylish UI.
So, if you are looking to switch to another platform from a smart TV with overwhelming ads, the Apple TV 4K comes with a well-suited feature: the synchronization of the iTunes version.
Although the atvTools software is not yet ready for wide usage, it is your one and only opportunity to regain some control of your Fire TV’s home screen interface.
