Smart TV guides
What you can switch off in the menus, what stays on anyway, and what only the network can stop. Every guide cites its sources and says when it was checked.
Turning off ACR, brand by brand
- Samsung · TizenHow to turn off ACR on a Samsung TVWhere Samsung puts Viewing Information Services, how to switch it off on recent models, and what still reaches the internet after you do.
- LG · webOSHow to turn off ACR on an LG TVLG calls content recognition Live Plus. Where to switch it off on webOS 23 to 26, which agreements to withdraw, and how to delete what was collected.
- TCL · Google TVHow to turn off ACR on a TCL TVTCL hides content recognition behind Interactive Service and a picture setting. Where to switch both off on Google TV models, and what Roku TV owners need.
- Sony · Google TVHow to turn off Samba TV on a Sony BraviaSony’s content recognition comes from Samba TV. Where Samba Interactive TV sits on Google TV and Android TV Bravias, and how to reset its advertising ID.
- Hisense · VIDAAHow to turn off ACR on a Hisense TVHisense calls it Enhanced Viewing. Where to switch off content recognition, personalised ads and content recommendations on VIDAA and Google TV.
- Roku TVHow to turn off ACR on a Roku TVOn TVs running Roku OS, content recognition lives under Smart TV Experience. Where to switch it off, from the TV or the web, and how to stop ad tracking.
Debloating the TV
- Samsung · TizenCan you debloat a Samsung TV?Android TVs can be cleaned up over ADB. Samsung’s Tizen has no such door: what Developer Mode really allows, and what you can do instead.
- LG · webOSCan you debloat an LG TV?Android TVs can be cleaned up over ADB. LG’s webOS cannot: default apps only hide, Developer Mode expires and root is closing. What you can do instead.
- Android TV · Google TVHow to debloat an Android TV or Google TV, and what comes backADB can switch off preinstalled apps on Sony, Philips, Xiaomi and Chromecast. What the menus do first, what a reset or an update undoes, and what can break.
- Amazon · Fire TVCan you debloat a Fire TV?Fire OS has ADB, but Amazon protects its home screen and some of its apps, and new Sticks run Vega OS. What debloating can do on a Fire TV, and what comes back.
- TCL · Google TV · Roku TVCan you debloat a TCL TV?TCL says its Google TV ads can’t be turned off entirely. What ADB and the menus can do on TCL Google TV, why Roku TV models cannot be debloated, and what comes back.
Filtering from the network
- Samsung · Pi-holePi-hole and Samsung TVs: what it blocks and what slips pastWhich public blocklists cover Samsung TVs, why some Samsung sets ignore your Pi-hole and use their own DNS, and what breaks when you block too much.
- LG · Pi-holePi-hole and LG TVs: what it blocks and what slips pastWhich public blocklists cover LG webOS, what breaks when they are too strict (Content Store, LG Channels, the clock) and why the TV may skip your Pi-hole.