A new default option for apps is now on Amazon Fire TV devices, and it doesn’t make people happy! Instead of having the first option to download an app alone, you may be forced to automatically subscribe to a plan if you let your guard down.
Fire TV and Firestick devices is now changing its default button to “Subscribe & download app” instead of only downloading the free app when you want to install selected apps. Applications affected by the change are those allowing subscriptions via the Amazon’s marketplace and not through an in-app purchase, including Apple TV, Philo, Paramount+, Starz and more.
Sadly, Amazon Fire TV Stick viewers who are used to the Download button alone may find themselves subscribing to services without any intention in the first place. Double subscription may be a risk when these automatic subscriptions run through. The Download app only button also appears but as a third option in the app page.
However, users can still spare themselves from going through the process on the confirmation landing. After clicking the Subscribe & download app button, a confirmation page appears with the option to click “Confirm & subscribe.” Seeing it should be a warning for users, but not a button to download the app only within the page. You need to go back to the previous screen.
What about apps offering free trials before the paid subscription begins? Somehow, the same cloud-icon appears next to the “Start 1-week free trial & download app” button as with the cloud-icon used to indicate downloaded apps. Plus, loading the page will not reveal the text of the button, so you end up thinking of the app as already downloaded.
