Forum Discussion

tv529's avatar
tv529
Reel Rookie
2 years ago

How to change Roku home screen app display from 4 columns back to 3

I left my tv on overnight one night last week and, after waking the screen, my apps were displayed in four columns instead of the usual 3. How do I change it back? Four columns make the squares much smaller and harder for me to see. 

I can't seem to find my exact device, but I have the Roku remote and streaming box thingy to turn my tv into a Roku TV. My remote has buttons on the bottom half for Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Sling and no buttons on the side for volume. 

  • TomMCE's avatar
    TomMCE
    Binge Watcher
    2 years ago

    I heard that Roku rolled out the 4 column format to a limited number of people.  I also have 4 columns now and it makes it harder to identify the apps unless I sit close.  I hope they go back to 3 columns or provide an option to have 3 columns instead of 4.

    • rai8889's avatar
      rai8889
      Newbie
      2 years ago

      Echoing what everyone else has already said. The four columns is very hard to see and it’s honestly sad that Roku does not have better accessibility options to change icon and text size.

      • zan-monk's avatar
        zan-monk
        Reel Rookie
        2 years ago

        Both my set-top Roku and my Roku TV are still like this and I HATE it... when will Roku be changing it back?!?!

    • Gatormelie's avatar
      Gatormelie
      Newbie
      2 years ago

      They have one week to being my larger icons back and take off continue watching on my home screen before i dump all 4 of my roku’s and will never be a customer again.

  • jacob1017's avatar
    jacob1017
    Channel Surfer
    2 years ago

    Same here. SuddenlyI have 4 icons across, instead of 3. Very hard to read. 

    • LibranRose's avatar
      LibranRose
      Newbie
      2 years ago

      How do we switch the home screen from 4 columns of tiles back to 3 columns of tiles? It's very hard to see and the old display was easier to navigate. Is there an option to change this new setting back to the original?

    • jacob1017's avatar
      jacob1017
      Channel Surfer
      2 years ago

      I am using a Roku Express 4k+

      Software version 9.6.0.7002906.28

      Restart does not help. I have unplugged everything for 15 minutes and done a restart several times.

  • MichVet's avatar
    MichVet
    Binge Watcher
    2 years ago

    This just started happening to me too.  I need, I mean NEED 3 wide.  4 wide is too small to easily read on my 32" tv.  There needs to be a option ASAP allowing this.  On bigger TV's it's probably ok but don't assume all your users are using 70" TV's.

    • MikieAC's avatar
      MikieAC
      Channel Surfer
      2 years ago

      Some genius at Roku thought this would be a "great idea", but it isn't. Please either put the three tile interface back or add a config option to allow the three tile interface. Otherwise, as a visually impaired individual I will have to find a different streaming device because the smaller tiles are unusable.

      • Lauralita's avatar
        Lauralita
        Newbie
        2 years ago

        Agreeing and echoing what everybody else you’re saying. I hate the four tile layout. I have quite a large size Roku TV, and the tiles are still too small on this. This is frustrating and annoying. Please take us back to the three tiles or give us an option.

  • Rich521's avatar
    Rich521
    Reel Rookie
    2 years ago

    Same here...wish I knew how to change it back to three. Too hard to read.

  • Username1991's avatar
    Username1991
    Newbie
    2 years ago

    Ok so I get home today and I have a 4 grid layout on my Roku tv. I’m not gonna lay and say it’s hard to read, I mean it’s not the easiest to read, it’s just I wasn’t given the option as to if I wanted my tv changed without my permission. Now I’m all for if it’s in the settings column and I’m playing around with the design trying to see if it’s better and it’s not. How do I fix this foolishness? Help anyone.

    • PLC133's avatar
      PLC133
      Newbie
      2 years ago

      Not a fan of the new layout at all... please change it back! 

      • Frogr82's avatar
        Frogr82
        Newbie
        2 years ago

        I hate this layout and to top it off there's a continue watching bs above it.  Not only is it now harder to see the icons but idc what my other rokus in the house are watching and no I don't want to continue. Don't they get that people have more than 1 tv in their home?  It's not the 1950s. I'll search for my own show I want to watch not continue watching what my elderly mother was watching some 1970s movie from her room and now have to hear her complaints that she can barely see the icons on her tv several times a day. No she don't want her 32in TV talking to her, it causes her to freak her out when she's having a bad day with her dementia and don't understand why there's a robot alien hiding inside her TV trying to talk to her.  Let us have the options to make icons smaller or larger if we want and to turn off that stupid continue watching **bleep**

    • atc98092's avatar
      atc98092
      Community Streaming Expert
      2 years ago

      This is apparently something Roku has rolled out to a handful of users. From what I've heard, there's no way to alter the settings of the grid. Judging by the complaints I've heard about it, hopefully Roku will roll it back and restore the 3x3 grid. I haven't seen it on any of my players, including some that are part of the beta test program.

    • 1031982's avatar
      1031982
      Channel Surfer
      2 years ago

      Just saw the updated layout on my roommates TV. I am not a fan of it either. At the bare minimal, allow an option between 3x3 and 4x4.

  • Raku's avatar
    Raku
    Newbie
    2 years ago

    This update is terrible. If I wanted tiny hard to see icons I’d have GoogleTV. Please give us an option to go back to 3x. 

    • dannydigital's avatar
      dannydigital
      Reel Rookie
      2 years ago

      Dollars to donuts this is just another ad revenue money grab. Just like the buttons on the remotes.. the more they can say X streaming service's logo showed up in front of users' eyes, the more money they get.

      If you want to kick them in the teeth for this, put a bunch of low-level apps like TED and AKC and CNET on your main screen, and use voice or remote buttons to launch apps (so none of the streamers that are paying them to do this ever show up on your screen).

      • Sta-c's avatar
        Sta-c
        Reel Rookie
        2 years ago

        Go to Facebook messenger and tell them we want it back larger or to have the option to change it back.  They said this is their new home screen! They are taking the feedback and hopefully will change it back

    • Sta-c's avatar
      Sta-c
      Reel Rookie
      2 years ago

      Please go to their messenger and tell them... they responded to me and are taking the feedback 

  • jpearsall's avatar
    jpearsall
    Reel Rookie
    2 years ago

    This issue has just started displaying on our TV that is using Roku Ultra 4802X two days ago.  (Software version 12.0.0 build 4184-C2, with an update date of May 2023).  We have tried to disconnect the power for 15 minutes, but no luck.  I am hoping someone will find a fix for this.

    • gideyup1's avatar
      gideyup1
      Reel Rookie
      2 years ago

      To Roku tech support who are monitoring this thread:   As you can see, this change to 4 columns is very irritating to customers.   Some will find it useful if they have larger TVs (I have 9 Roku devices and on my larger TVs this change is awesome), but for smaller TV owners this makes Roku home screen downright unusable!!!   

      This should be a simple code change to provide customers in "Settings" the option to change to 4 column or 3 column (call it compact and cozy just like how Google / Microsoft / Apple etc call their email displays).  Guys: This isn't rocket science, just provide customers with this option and all will be good.   

      There are so many things to LOVE about the Roku Ecosystem, but this type of thing really makes you guys seem bush league compared to Apple/Amazon/Google streaming devices.   FIX THIS ASAP PLEASE!!!

      • BronxKid167's avatar
        BronxKid167
        Binge Watcher
        2 years ago

        Seems like their interface development team lack the knowledge for making customizable interface. Give user the option to customize their home screen. Give us the option to choose between 3 - 5 columns. They need to increase their beta test group. I would be glad to be a beta tester.

  • Sta-c's avatar
    Sta-c
    Reel Rookie
    2 years ago

    According to roku this is their new home screen but they are taking feedback. Please go on Facebook messenger and tell them to change it back... that is how I just got my answer

  • DefenderXX's avatar
    DefenderXX
    Reel Rookie
    2 years ago

    I am not a fan of the changes to the home screen. I prefer three columns for the apps. I prefer to have the inputs listed out, and not collected in a sub folder. Mostly, I would prefer to have an option as far as how I view the home screen. Please allow us the option to change it back. Aesthetically, these changes are a downgrade.

    I currently use three Roku TVs, as well as two connected streaming devices. These changes to the operating system will make me more hesitant to go with Roku in the future.

    • DefenderXX's avatar
      DefenderXX
      Reel Rookie
      2 years ago

      I checked again out of curiosity, and I now have an option to toggle between tiles sizes. I found it under Settings > Home Screen. There are two new options, one for "Continue Watching" to show/hide, and one for "Tile Size" with options for Smaller/Larger.

      I am currently using the software version: 12.5.0 build 4176 on a 55" TCL Roku TV.

      I received no notification that there was a new option, so it might be worthwhile to check on your own device. Good luck!

      • atc98092's avatar
        atc98092
        Community Streaming Expert
        2 years ago

        DefenderXX they obviously are not rolling it out via an OS update, but one of their background process updates. I have devices on beta builds that are newer than yours (NDA doesn't allow me to mention the build numbers) but there's no such option on my Ultra 4800. You did find it where I would have expected it to be, so that's a positive step in the right direction. Now they just need to roll it out for everyone. No idea what's taking so long. 

  • AK2OH's avatar
    AK2OH
    Channel Surfer
    2 years ago

    Here we go again.  First it was the “Continue Watching” on the Home Screen which no one likes but Roku customer service doesn’t care what customers want.

    Now it’s 4 shrunk down app icons across.  My mother has optical myopathy, no way she can see these even on her 75” TV (which she needs to just watch TV).  We will probably have to explore other streaming devices for her.  This is because Roku doesn’t listen (example: “Continue Watching” on Home Screen)

    Hey Roku, for disability reasons under accessibility, why note make it so we can adjust the icons to whatever we need.  1, 2, 3, OR 4 app columns.  I know a few people who are visually impaired who would love much bigger ones in 2 in columns.

    • jacob1017's avatar
      jacob1017
      Channel Surfer
      2 years ago

      Exactly. I have macular degeneration and a 65" ugly monster TV, that's mostly a blur. My husband is a big help. But he's hard of hearing. We joke if you put us together we make one fully functioning person. 

    • jerankin2's avatar
      jerankin2
      Binge Watcher
      2 years ago

      I agree with you. They have disrupted the home screen twice in a month now, and both changes are irritating when there's no option to decline the changes. Their teams are not researching user preferences before they dump these changes onto us.

      What's worse, they won't even acknowledge these complaints on this forum, at least so far. Not a single response to this thread. We should not have to go to Facebook to complain!

      • Chicken's avatar
        Chicken
        Roku Guru
        2 years ago

        Hey Roku, you manage to stink worse each and every day, good job!