A recent Fire TV firmware update has removed the option to hide apps from the home screen. This change affects several devices, including the first and second-generation Fire TV Sticks, according to AFTVNews. Users are now unable to declutter their app grid by hiding unwanted apps.
While third-party apps can be uninstalled, Amazon’s pre-installed apps, such as Freevee and Prime Video, cannot be removed or hidden. The “hide from your apps” feature was previously accessible via the context button on the Fire TV remote.
Worse yet, this change affects multi-user households, forcing apps from every profile onto every home screen. Reddit users confirm the problem extends to other Fire TV Sticks, including the newer 4K Max. This latest misstep continues Amazon’s trend of user-hostile updates, reminiscent of last year’s firmware that crippled numerous third-party apps.
While a workaround exists, it’s hardly ideal. YouTuber TechDoctorUK demonstrates how the third-party app atvTools (Android and iOS) can disable unwanted apps, but the process is cumbersome. Users must connect to their Fire TV, navigate the app list, and select “disable” for each app they wish to hide.
