You can make a Roku Home screen feel less busy by hiding recommendation rows and Quick Access, then turning off sponsored and seasonal wallpapers. The first two affect Home screen content; the wallpaper options change the background only. Roku lists the Home screen controls under Settings > Home Screen and the wallpaper controls under Settings > Theme on supported devices. Labels and availability can vary by Roku model and software.
1. Hide recommendation rows
Recommendation rows can put suggested content on the Home screen alongside your apps. On a device that offers the control, open Settings > Home Screen > Recommendation rows and choose the option to hide them. The exact choices may differ by device.
This is the most direct setting to try if you want fewer recommendations on your Roku Home screen. It changes the Home screen layout, not recommendations within individual streaming apps.
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2. Hide Quick Access
If your Home screen shows a Quick Access area, you can hide it from Settings > Home Screen > Quick Access. Select the available option to turn it off or hide it. Roku’s support guidance lists Quick Access as a Home screen control, but not every Roku interface necessarily shows every option.
Quick Access is separate from your installed apps. Hiding it does not uninstall apps or cancel subscriptions.
#1 Best Overall
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
3. Turn off sponsored wallpapers
Sponsored wallpapers affect the interface background, not the app grid or recommendation rows. Roku says sponsored wallpapers are enabled by default. To disable them, open Settings > Theme > Sponsored wallpapers and choose Off, if that option appears on your device.
4. Turn off seasonal wallpapers
Seasonal wallpapers are a separate Theme option, also documented by Roku as enabled by default. Open Settings > Theme > Seasonal wallpapers and choose Off to stop using them, where available. This changes wallpaper behavior; it does not remove tiles, shortcuts, or recommendations.
Choose the settings that address your clutter
| Setting | What it changes | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Recommendation rows | Recommendation content on the Home screen | Settings > Home Screen |
| Quick Access | The Quick Access area on the Home screen | Settings > Home Screen |
| Sponsored wallpapers | Wallpaper appearance | Settings > Theme |
| Seasonal wallpapers | Wallpaper appearance | Settings > Theme |
| Tile size | The visual footprint of app tiles | Settings > Home Screen |
Roku’s documented Home screen controls include Tile size as well as Recommendation rows and Quick Access. If the apps themselves make the screen feel crowded, try the available Tile size option instead of one of the wallpaper changes. Tile size affects the app layout; wallpapers do not.
Rank #2
- Ultra-speedy streaming: Roku Ultra is 30% faster than any other Roku player, delivering a lightning-fast interface and apps that launch in a snap.
- Cinematic streaming: This TV streaming device brings the movie theater to your living room with spectacular 4K, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision picture alongside immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- The ultimate Roku remote: The rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro offers backlit buttons, hands-free voice controls, and a lost remote finder.
- No more fumbling in the dark: See what you’re pressing with backlit buttons.
- Say goodbye to batteries: Keep your remote powered for months on a single charge.
Rearrange apps or remove ones you no longer use
Move a favorite app to the top
- Go to the Apps section and highlight the app you want to prioritize.
- Press the Star button on your Roku remote.
- Choose Move app or Move app to the top, then follow the on-screen prompts.
Roku says the updated Home screen is the standard experience and does not provide a setting to switch back to the old Home screen. Moving apps is a way to put favorites first within the current layout.
Remove an app
- Highlight the app and press the remote’s Star button.
- Choose Remove app and confirm.
If Remove app is unavailable, Roku notes that an active subscription or current billing cycle may be involved. Where applicable, manage the subscription or cancel auto-renewal before trying again. Removing an app is not required to hide recommendations or Quick Access.
Rank #3
- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
What Roku’s ad controls can—and cannot—do
Roku also offers limited ad preferences, but they are not a way to remove all ads. Its ad guidance covers selected sensitive categories for non-video display ads and the option to hide certain eligible ads shown on the right side of the Home screen. To hide an eligible ad, select it, press Star, and choose Hide this ad.
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Roku says sensitive-category preferences require Personalized Ads to be enabled. The controls do not cover video ads, ads in partner apps, or certain ads shown to all users, including themed backgrounds. Treat these as ways to limit some display ads or dismiss a particular eligible ad—not as a system-wide ad blocker.
Rank #4
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
Roku support references
- Roku Support, “Why does my Roku home screen look different?” describes the current Home screen, its controls, and app rearrangement.
- Roku Support, “How to change the theme pack to adjust the look of the Roku interface,” covers theme and wallpaper options.
- Roku Support, “How to manage ad preferences,” explains eligible ad controls and their exceptions.
- Roku Support, “How to remove apps from your Roku streaming device,” covers app removal and the subscription caveat.
These menu paths and defaults reflect Roku Support guidance accessed October 7, 2026. Roku notes that the Home screen can look different across devices, so use the options available on your own player or TV.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Streaming made easy: Roku Express lets you stream free, live and premium TV over the Internet—right to your TV. It’s perfect for new users, secondary TVs and easy gifting—but powerful enough for seasoned pros
- Quick and easy setup: Just plug it into your TV with the included High Speed HDMI Cable and connect to the internet to get started
- Tons of power, tons of fun: Compact and power-packed, you’ll stream your favorites with ease; from movies and series on Apple TV, Prime Video, Netflix, The Roku Channel, HBO, Showtime and Google Play to cable alternatives like Hulu with Live TV and PlayStation Vue, enjoy the most talked about TV across free and paid channels
- Low cost, no extra fees: For under $30, Roku Express streaming device includes a High Speed HDMI Cable—and there’s no monthly equipment fee; with access to free TV on hundreds of channels, there’s plenty to stream without spending extra
- Simple remote: Incredibly easy to use, this remote features shortcut buttons to popular streaming channels
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