@Lbarn @TommyHawk31
I've been using Roku devices since 2010. And Roku has added apps to a lineup. However, I've not seen that behavior in quite some time. And when they did, they caught a lot of flack over that. Not as much as Apple with their U2 album suddenly appearing on everyone's iPhone, but a lot for a platform the size of Roku. Nobody liked it. And Roku stopped that nonsense.
When Roku did this in the past, it was usually in conjunction with a major service such as Showtime. And, when it happened, it was added to position 5. That's Row 2, column 2. When Roku did add an app (as I said, I've not seen this in several years) it appeared there. If it's somewhere else, then Roku didn't do it.
If it's magically showing up in position 5 (R2C2) then yes, it very well could be Roku. But then, when they do this, they do it across the board. Everyone would get it. So, that's another thing that indicates it's not Roku doing it.
So, if it's not Roku, then what? Well, that might take some digging.
Basics
You may already know this, but if not, here goes. If you add an app to one Roku device, it gets added to every Roku device that is tied to the same Roku account. So, log in to https://my.roku.com and scroll all the way down. See those devices listed under My Linked Devices? If you add an app to one, it's added to all. If you remove an app from one, it's removed from all. If anyone on any of those devices adds an app, all those devices get the app.
So, focus on that list for a minute. See any you don't recognize? If so, there's a Roku tied to your account that you either didn't know about or forgot about. And there is your issue. That needs to be run down. If everything is at it appears, though, we have to keep digging.
Manually added, intentionally
The most common way to add an app is to manually add it on purpose. That would be seeing an ad for an app, or searching for an app in the Channel Store (online or on the device) and adding it. It then appears at the bottom of the listing of apps on your main menu. Of course, since you were surprised by the app, this indicated you did not intentionally manually add the app. Now the question becomes, did someone else. If others use your Roku, ask them. If you are the only one that can get to your Roku, then it's highly unlikely anyone else added it, and we need to keep going.
Manually added, unintentionally
This is what I think is going on. Keep reading before you object.
There are two common ways an app can be unintentionally added. One is by a button on the remote. If you don't have Netflix installed, for instance, but your remote has a Netflix button, pressing the Netflix button (on purpose or accidentally) will launch Netflix. And, in order to do that, it will add the app if it doesn't exist. It's possible to cancel out of this process, but it's also possible for it to continue and add the app. Based on the names of the apps listed as being added, I'm thinking the buttons is not what's going on.
The other way is via a screen saver. And this may be the culprit. Roku often defaults to a screen saver that includes ads on the screen. City Stroll is one of several they have. Lots of the things in the screen saver are actually ads for services (and apps). And, as the screen saver progresses, different ads will be highlighted or have focus. That means that pressing OK or Play will launch that app. And add the app if it's not already there. That's why you should always use the Home button to exit the screen saver. Many use OK or Play. Don't do that. Just don't. This is why.
If the screen is blank, that doesn't mean the screen saver isn't running. It means the screen saver isn't showing. Or, if the TV is off or on a different input, pressing OK/Play to activate the Roku will launch the ad which will launch the app. And add it if it isn't already on the device. So, again, never OK/Play to awaken the Roku. Always use Home.
There is one other screen saver process that may enter into things. It's common for some apps to include a screen saver. However, it's also possible for something that advertises a screen saver to add an app. So, if you have added a third party screen saver, check to ensure there wasn't an accompanying app. This is not common, but it should be kept in mind.
How to stop
There is a way to stop people, to include other users or yourself, accidentally or intentionally, from adding apps to your device. Set up a PIN. Log in to your account and go to the PIN Preference page. Select "Require a PIN to make purchases and add channels." And don't tell anyone the PIN. That will stop accidental additions of apps. And it will stop malicious additions of apps. It will also stop Roku from adding, as they did years ago, should they ever return to that awful behavior.
With a PIN set up, an app cannot be added unless the PIN is entered on the screen. If you suddenly see this happen, consider what actions you just took and how they might cause an app to be manually, but accidentally, added.
Take the time to go through and check these things and see if the behavior you're seeing doesn't stop.
DBDukes
Roku Community Streaming Expert
Note: I am not a Roku employee.
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