Forum Discussion

Jack_asster's avatar
Jack_asster
Channel Surfer
10 days ago
Solved

Howdy app keeps reappearing after removal from the Home screen

How can I get Roku to STOP adding the Howdy app??? I’ve removed the app at least 11 times, yet Roku keeps adding it. I tried giving in and moving the app the the bottom, but Roku decided to move it to the second row. 

Some here may not think this is a big issue; however, my wife is legally blind and cannot make out which app is what. So she relies on counting clicks on the remote to get to her apps and shows. So when Roku decides to play these little games, it can have unintended consequences. If Roku keeps this up I will switch to another provider once my subscription expires. 

app support
  • Jack_asster's avatar
    Jack_asster
    9 days ago

    Happened AGAIN for a third consecutive day. So I’m going to fix this by going with Apple TV. Kinda sucks because I can’t really afford this. I’m disabled, retired navy and my wife is blind, so income is an issue. But since I can no longer rely on Roku, I’ve got to go elsewhere. 

    Funny how “howdy” has made me say goodbye. 

20 Replies

  • Jack_asster's avatar
    Jack_asster
    Channel Surfer
    10 days ago

    Now it’s worse. I was watching tv when the TV suddenly returned to the Home Screen…WITH THE HOWDY APP REINSTALLED!!!! Happened WHILE WATCHING THE TV!!!! 

    • RokuEmmanuel-D's avatar
      RokuEmmanuel-D
      Community Moderator
      10 days ago

      Hi there! Jack_asster​ 

      It's unusual to have this behavior while watching your favorite show, and we'd like to help take a closer look. 

      Is this happening on all apps, or can you name a specific app where this is occurring? Also, have you tried removing the Howdy app? If so, does it still happen even if the app was removed? 

      Let us know what you find!

      Roku Community Team

      • cmfurnia's avatar
        cmfurnia
        Newbie
        6 days ago

        I call BS. Roku has purposely programmed this problem and has known about it for months. The Howdy app keeps popping up on our TV even after we remove it. If we move the tile to the bottom of the tiles screen, it will migrate back to the top of the list within a couple hours. It is enough to make us change to a different streaming source. A quick Internet search makes it obvious Roku is intentionally doing this. 

  • Jack_asster's avatar
    Jack_asster
    Channel Surfer
    9 days ago

    Happened AGAIN for a third consecutive day. So I’m going to fix this by going with Apple TV. Kinda sucks because I can’t really afford this. I’m disabled, retired navy and my wife is blind, so income is an issue. But since I can no longer rely on Roku, I’ve got to go elsewhere. 

    Funny how “howdy” has made me say goodbye. 

  • MacDaddy-1's avatar
    MacDaddy-1
    Reel Rookie
    11 hours ago

    That is a key reason -- specifically the constant return of the Howdy app - I'm now shopping for something to replace Roku.

     

  • Jack_asster's avatar
    Jack_asster
    Channel Surfer
    10 days ago

    I’ve tried going through Roku support. They were completely worthless. All they kept saying was “that shouldn’t happen”. 

  • Docsman's avatar
    Docsman
    Binge Watcher
    9 days ago

    Well I have good news and bad news and you already know the bad news that you cannot delete the bloody thing. However, the good news is that if you put it at the end of your apps, it'll sit there forever and not move and so at least be out of the way if you cannot get rid of it.

    • Jack_asster's avatar
      Jack_asster
      Channel Surfer
      9 days ago

      Not true. Like I wrote in my original post, I’ve moved the app to the bottom, and Roku randomly moves it to the second row. 

      • Docsman's avatar
        Docsman
        Binge Watcher
        6 days ago

        I don't know. I have a Roku TV, two LEs, and one Express and it stays at the very end of the app tiles on all of them. I also have Recommendations turned off so maybe that's part of it. 

        Regardless of whether I have a workaround, I agree with everyone else that Roku can fix this any time they like. Maybe it's because Howdy isn't such a great deal that they are pushing it like this. I thought it would give me ad-free on the streaming channels so I could put on the Fireside channel and have a nice sleep to a crackling fire instead of patches of nice sleep to a crackling fire interrupted by "It's going down faster than a NFL player in a strip club...There's nothing like being a WWE superstar...The sickness is real...What do you think happens when you die?..."

        Instead, it's some set of content that's ad-free. Big deal. Now, throw in 10 of the FAST channels---at our choice---as ad-free and that $3 would be a big deal. Then we would want the Howdy tile at the top.

  • StreamerUser's avatar
    StreamerUser
    Roku Guru
    6 days ago

    Jack_asster​ Docsman​ cmfurnia​ et al

    The Howdy service/app is Roku-owned so you can expect it to be re-added to your device if removed, especially if/when there is an app/service update, or to promote new subscriptions.

    It is/would be against Roku's own interests not to promote their new Howdy streaming service by automatically (re)installing the Howdy app from time to time - this is no different than Roku auto-(re)installing other Roku middleware/apps/services (e.g. Backdrops, Photo Streams, The Roku Channel, Live TV Guide, etc).

    Since you (and everyone) agreed to this behavior ("We (or our content providers) may update, add, or remove channels, content, and/or content providers from time to time (possibly without notice to you).") when you consented/agreed to the Roku account/device Terms it should be expected/anticipated, and there is no point complaining.

    Just leave the Howdy app installed and move it to the end/bottom of your apps list to prevent/minimize unwanted app list changes.

  • MacDaddy-1's avatar
    MacDaddy-1
    Reel Rookie
    11 hours ago

    I've grown tired of removing the Howdy app just to see it reappear. 

    Seeking suggestions for a better option than Roku. Thank you in advance.

    • StreamerUser's avatar
      StreamerUser
      Roku Guru
      10 hours ago

      Regardless of Roku's Howdy (and other Roku-provided services/functionality/apps) app removal+return situation (I recommend leaving Howdy/other Roku apps/services installed @ the end of your app list), be warned/aware that all platform providers push their own services/content on their own platforms, including Google (Android/Google TV OS), Amazon (Fire TV OS), Apple (tvOS), etc.

      When these companies spend time/energy/capital developing/acquiring content/services/functionality, they are going to leverage their own platforms to promote/push their own services/content/functionality, regardless of user preference.

      I highly recommend a multi-platform streaming strategy (3 different platforms/devices) for when firmware/middleware/app/server-side updates break/limit service/access/AV quality (it inevitably happens), or to use a preferred app/service scenario - this can be implemented either cheaply ($15-50) or expensively ($100-200) with devices available from Walmart/ONN ($15-45 HD/4K models), Amazon ($20-100 HD/4K models), Google ($100 TV Streamer 4K), Nvidia ($150-200 Shield models), and Apple ($180-200 TV 4K models).

      'Better' is subjective - what is 'better' one day/week/month/year may change the next due to a firmware/middleware/app/server-side update, so its best to have multiple options, if just to be able to choose "less worse right now".

    • Strega2's avatar
      Strega2
      Roku Guru
      10 hours ago

      Yeah, I moved Howdy to the bottom when it first appeared and it has stayed there.  The Apple TV models are typically suggested for people who want fewer ads/promotions, though I have no idea if you can permanently delete the Apple TV service from an Apple TV device.