If you are a convert from cable to streaming, you would possibly end up wanting one thing like a “final channel” button, however for streaming apps.
After all, generally you need to switch between two separate streaming companies for his or her dwell programming. I usually do it on Sundays, for instance, whereas watching NFL Redzone within the NFL app and native Bengals video games DVR channels. AS more streaming services add sports coveragethe flexibility to quickly switch between them will grow to be extra essential.
However, every streaming gadget handles app switching in another way, and a few are higher than others. Here are the quickest methods to switch between apps on all the foremost streaming platforms:
Quick app switching on Apple TV
Apple TV streaming packing containers have an app switching menu (pictured above) that you may view by double-clicking the Home button. Swipe proper on the distant and click on the Select button to select from the most recent apps.
For a extra superior app switching maneuver, Try Apple TV’s picture-in-picture mode. Not all apps assist this function, however those who do will show a picture-in-picture icon inside their video gamers. When a video performs in Picture-in-Picture mode, you possibly can transfer or swap video home windows by urgent the Home button.
Apple TV’s picture-in-picture mode is one other method to switch between apps.Jared Newman/Foundry
You may also use image in image with any video supply that helps AirPlay from an iPhone or iPad. Send the video to your TV by clicking the AirPlay icon, then switch the video to picture-in-picture mode together with your Apple TV distant.
Quickly switching the Fire TV app
Jared Newman/Foundry
Most Fire TV units haven’t got a menu for switching apps, however the 2023 Fire TV Stick 4K Max and third-generation Fire TV Cube are the exceptions. Click the Recents icon on the distant for these units (it appears to be like like two squares stacked on prime of one another) and you may switch between the newest apps. This button can be out there on Amazon The Alexa Pro voice remote controlwhich prices $35 and works with a variety of Fire TV units.
On different Fire TV units, the most effective factor you are able to do is open a hyperlink to the complete listing of apps: long-press the Home button, then choose “Apps.”
Unfortunately, it is unsure whether or not the Fire TV will keep in mind your location in every app, so you should still have to click on again to what you had been watching.
Quick Roku app switching
Jared Newman/Foundry
Roku units do not provide any type of app-switching menu, however there is a workaround: If your Roku distant consists of programmable buttons, you possibly can assign every button to a special app and switch between them with one click on. Programmable buttons have been included with Roku Ultra since 2019 and are additionally out there on Roku’s Pro Voice Remotewhich is offered individually for $30.
To set the programmable buttons, indicated with a “1” and a “2”, merely press and maintain one among them. You can then map the button to the present app, the final voice command used, or varied different features.
Note that Roku will exit the present app completely if you launch a brand new one, so you may have to click on again to what you had been taking a look at every time you switch.
Quickly switch between Android TV/Google TV apps
Jared Newman/Foundry
Out of the field, the one Android TV units that include an app switching menu are Nvidia’s Shield TV streaming box. Just double-tap the distant’s Home button to view an inventory of latest apps.
If you are keen to spend $4 and do not thoughts a considerably difficult setup course of, a pleasant app known as tvQuickActions Pro provides an alternate answer on different Android TV and Google TV units. This permits you to reprogram the distant buttons with additional features, together with a latest app change.
Once put in, you may want to observe the app’s directions to grant varied system permissions. Then, go to Buttons and Actions. If you need to double-click the Home button to show an app switcher, observe these directions:
Click “Add Button”. Click the Home button in your distant. Under Button Action Type, choose “Usual Action.” Select “Single press,” then go to the Action tab and choose “Go Home.” Select “Double Press,” then go to the Features tab and choose “Recent Apps.” (You’ll have to scroll down to discover the choice.)
Jared Newman/Foundry
You can now double-click the Home button to view the latest apps menu, identical to on Nvidia Shield TV and Apple TV.
Switch apps by voice
If all else fails, voice management is an efficient fallback for quickly switching between apps, particularly on units that do not have a built-in app switcher.
Assuming your distant has a microphone button, you should utilize voice instructions like “begin Max” or “begin Sling TV” to go straight to the corresponding app. You do not even want to exit the house display screen first. Just press the microphone button and begin speaking.
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