Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Kathsr

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 21, 2019
109
61
Maryland
I currently use a Firestick 4k and would like to upgrade it. It doesn’t have that much space to begin with and Amazon keeps installing new apps I don’t want and won’t use. Specifically they’ve added Freetime and IMDb. These apps cannot be uninstalled. I use almost all third party apps and install them with the Downloader app and Filelinked. Does the Apple TV 4K allow this?
 
Last edited:
the aTV-HD and aTV-4k both have the app store.
They aTVs do have with a few default apps, which you can't delete, but they're all apple or system related (no third party), like search, settings, photos, and the various app and media stores. You can "hide" them in a folder if you don't want them taking up space on your main screen.
Even "basic" apps like Netflix or Amazon Prime have to be installed by the user.

if you go to the App Store on your phone, apps should have an "also offers aTV app" version of their screen shots (at least the entry for the Netflix app does, not sure if all compatible apps do this)

it doesn't appear there's a way to browse the store on the web.
--edit
I found the online App Store, but it's not broken down by device. So you have to open an app, and then see if it has an tvOS version.

here's the main store, where you can search for things

and here's the Netflix page as an example
 
Last edited:
I don't think that the ATV4k has any pre-installed third-party apps.

Unless you side-load the apps, all apps would come from the tvOS App Store.
 
here's all the default apps.
(the ones in the entertainment folder have been added, and are not default)

Untitled.jpg


 
I am asking about apps that are not available in the App Store or preinstalled. These would be downloaded using a browser. Is there a developer option like in the Firestick? Some call it jail breaking but it’s actually just “allowing apps from unknown sources.“ Thank you all. I really want one of these as I only own Apple devices but unless I can install non-Apple apps it’s useless to me.
 
I am asking about apps that are not available in the App Store or preinstalled. These would be downloaded using a browser. Is there a developer option like in the Firestick? Some call it jail breaking but it’s actually just “allowing apps from unknown sources.“ Thank you all. I really want one of these as I only own Apple devices but unless I can install non-Apple apps it’s useless to me.
You can’t side load third party apps on the device without jail breaking.
 
Thank you so much! Wish it weren’t so complicated...but may be worth it in order to be able to switch to an Apple product.
 
Sorry to answer with a question... Does the ATV4K support VLC for 4K content?
seriously?????
creating 2 threads
and hijacking a third for the same topic
all within a few hours.

calm the F down
People here aren't getting paid, and no one is standing by to answer your questions here.
everyone here is helping out because they want to, and sometimes it takes a little bit of time, because we all have lives.
I know you want an answer now, but relax

also starting 2 topics and hijacking a third, is one way to not get a clear answer, as the topic can take off in many different directions.
 
seriously?????
creating 2 threads
and hijacking a third for the same topic
all within a few hours.

calm the F down
People here aren't getting paid, and no one is standing by to answer your questions here.
everyone here is helping out because they want to, and sometimes it takes a little bit of time, because we all have lives.
I know you want an answer now, but relax

also starting 2 topics and hijacking a third, is one way to not get a clear answer, as the topic can take off in many different directions.
Okay I agree it was a tad rude of me but I was quite anxious because I had to return my Nvida box to Harvey Norman today (Monday) to get a refund (I only had 7 days to return it). Nobody jumped on early to answer so I (did the wrong thing) posted all over the place. Won't happen again.
[automerge]1595810537[/automerge]
Thank You.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.