- The latest four TV -Software Update has removed a popular feature
- You can no longer hide unwanted apps on your home screen
- It is possible to restore the functionality with an app called ATVTOOLS
Amazon is not a stranger to quietly remove four TV features or break their functionality with software updates -and it’s just beaten again in the latest firmware -push for its popular streaming gadgets.
A new four TV update that has been rolled out to first-gene and second-gen-brand-TV sticks among other devices has removed the option of hiding apps on your home screen (as stained by Evenews). This means that you are now stuck with a messy grid of apps you probably do not want without the opportunity to make them disappear.
Previously, you would be able to press the ‘Context’ button on a four TV remote (the one with three horizontal lines) and see the option to ‘hide from your apps’. Although it is possible to uninstall third -party apps, you cannot make this into Amazon’s own apps like Freevee or Prime Video. Thanks, Amazon.
The additional bad news is that this also means that apps from other user profiles that you have created on your four TV device appear across all user profiles. Unfortunately, there is evidence that Reddit that this downgrade has also hit other four TV sticks, including the newer four TV -stick 4K max.
The solution
Owners of four TV sticks are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Amazon’s software updates, which sometimes feels user host-like last year’s firmware that broke a number of popular third-party apps.
Fortunately, it seems to be a solution (for now) that allows you to hide apps again that you will not see on your home screen. As outlined by YouTuber TechDoctoruk, the third -party app Records ATVTOOLS (available to Android and iOS) your ability to remove unwanted home screen apps, albeit in a longer -lasting way than before.
To do so with atvtools, open the app and connect to your four TV device. Now go on the apps list, search for the app you want to remove from your home screen, press the three dots, and select the ‘Disable’ setting. When you update the apps grille on your four TV, the app should have been hidden.
This is likely to be the last time we hear about Amazon disabling four TV -Stick features, as Amazon has previously defended some updates in the name to improve security on fire -tv devices. If you get tired of this kind of updates, it may be worth looking at alternatives like Nvidia Shield TV Pro (see below), which just got a rare discount on Amazon OS.
