Google TV Lifehack: No more annoying recommendations!

Luca Fontana

22/12/2023

Translation: machine translated

Are you also annoyed by the useless film and series recommendations on the home screen of your operating system? No problem: Here's how to get rid of them in just a few steps - but only on Google and Android TV.

I'm off to a steep start: This is the most important tip you'll read today. At least if you have a TV with Google or Android TV. You know this unspeakable fashion of TV manufacturers to waste most of the space on the home screen of their operating systems for annoying and never applicable film and series recommendations.

I mean: Why is "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" of all films recommended to me? Why do the other recommendations never change!!!? And when did I start watching things like "Paw Patrol: The bravest missions of the super pups" on YouTube!!!?!!??!?!

Only Google seems to have thought along and given me the choice of whether I need the recommendations at all. At least I don't know of any comparable hack from other manufacturers. If it does exist: Please post it in the comments column.

Switch off recommendations - in just a few steps

Deactivating the tedious recommendations is so quick and easy that I'm wondering why I've only just discovered the mother of all quality of life settings. Probably because it's hidden in a place where nobody would expect it. So:

1. On the Google TV home screen, select Settings (gear icon).
2. Then go to Accounts & Login.
3. Select your account (you will need to sign in with your Google Play account).
4. Scroll down to "Apps only" mode and tick the box.

Done and dusted. Here is the whole thing in video form:

If you want to undo everything, simply go through the same steps again and uncheck the box for "Apps only" mode.

One more thing: In the top bar, you will see that a few tabs that you no longer need have disappeared. Unless you have purchased films and series via the Google Playstore. Then you are now missing the "Media library" tab. You can now find it via the YouTube app, where you can access your purchased content via Media library and then Purchases. Or you can simply stream the purchased content to the TV via your smartphone.

And if you do need film and series tips, then I, Luca, am the better algorithm than Google, Samsung, LG and the like... I say that with an open mind.

So, best tip of the day. Or did I promise too much?

Luca Fontana

Senior Editor

Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.ch

I write about technology as if it were cinema, and about films as if they were real life. Between bits and blockbusters, I’m after stories that move people, not just generate clicks. And yes – sometimes I listen to film scores louder than I probably should.

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