Smart TV updating is not the same as with phones and computers where we are used to installing updates as soon as they appear. With smart TV, the story is not so simple. The TV is still primarily a screen, while the smart part is often just an accessory that can bring more problems than benefits.
In this guide, we explain why you should be more careful with TV updates than with your phone, what are the real benefits, what are the risks, and how to decide whether to click “Update now” on your TV at all.
Why is smart TV different from a phone?
By default, phones, laptops and tablets live on the Internet and applications – without regular updates they quickly become unsafe or unusable.
Smart TV, however, is primarily a screen whose main task is to display an image.
- You can use the TV for years only as a display for a console, PC or external streaming stick, practically without relying on its internal operating system.
- Most updates do not bring spectacular new features, but small bug fixes and minor optimizations that the average user will hardly notice.
- Many models can work quite decently even if you don’t update them for years, especially if you don’t use built-in streaming apps.
Therefore, the same “install everything now” rule does not necessarily apply to a smart TV as it does to a phone or computer.
Downsides of updates: Ads, slowdowns, and hidden tracking
The biggest problem with TV updates is often not classic bugs, but the fact that the update changes the device’s behavior for the worse – without you ever asking for it.
More ads on the home screen
Manufacturers and platforms treat smart TV as a large billboard in the living room. An operating system update can bring:
- new advertising slots on the home page,
- bigger and more aggressive banners,
- content recommendations that are difficult or impossible to completely exclude.
The consequence is that simply opening Netflix or YouTube requires more scrolling and more clicking, with the feeling that the homescreen is increasingly cluttered with ads.
ACR – silent spy on the smart TV screen
ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) is a particularly problematic technology with which a smart TV “analyzes” whatever is on the screen, whether you’re watching streaming, cable, playing a console or using an HDMI input. All of this is used for ad targeting and viewing analytics.
- Essentially, ACR works as a form of spyware built into the TV software.
- The data is usually kept “anonymized” but still tracks your viewing habits and the type of content you watch.
- The feature can often be turned off in the settings, but most users don’t even know it exists.
It’s not likely, but it’s not impossible that some updates change the privacy settings, so it’s worth checking occasionally that ACR and the options for “viewing data” aren’t turned on again.
Slowdowns and congested interface
A major user interface redesign, new widgets, additional animations or AI features (voice commands, smart recommendations, integration with assistants) look nice in promotional materials, but on older hardware they often mean:
- slower opening of applications,
- jerky animations and lag when scrolling menus,
- longer loading of the home screen and shortcuts.
TV manufacturers generally do not install processors of the power of desktop computers, so any “bulk” of software eats up the remaining resources on an already several-year-old model.
The risk of bugs and even “bricks” of the smart TV
Most updates pass without problems, but in practice there are also unpleasant situations when a new update:
- breaks something that worked before (HDR, Wi‑Fi stability, HDMI ARC/eARC, apps),
- lead to random reboots or interface freezes,
- in an extreme case, leave the TV in a state where it cannot be picked up normally, until a factory reset or service intervention is performed.
Such cases are not frequent, but serious enough that “Update” is not pressed completely automatically.
When is a smart TV update actually a good idea?
With all the risks listed, it’s easy to conclude that updates should be completely ignored – but that’s not necessarily the best approach.
Smart TV update makes sense in the following situations:
- Serious bug fixes – if you have a specific problem (freezes, app crashes, picture or sound issues), new firmware often brings fixes for known bugs.
- Security patches – although the smart TV is not the most common target of hacker attacks, it is still part of your home network; when the manufacturer emphasizes security fixes, it is reasonable to install them.
- Compatibility and new functions – sometimes an update brings support for new formats (HDR standards, Dolby Atmos), better cooperation with the soundbar, or enables the operation of new applications and services.
If your TV is your main streaming device (you don’t have an external stick or box), you are more dependent on its internal OS and applications, so maintaining relatively fresh software is more important.
ShutterstockHow to decide: to update or not? If the smart TV works perfectly – don’t rush
If you don’t have any problems, and you don’t see anything that really matters to you in the description of the new firmware, it’s perfectly fine to wait.
- There is no critical reason for a smart TV to always be on the “latest version”, unlike a phone or computer that actively processes personal data.
- It’s worth checking the forums, Reddit threads or Facebook groups for the specific model before installing to see if users are complaining about the latest update.
Read what the offered update changes
Ideally, before installation, you should look at:
- official release notes on the manufacturer’s website,
- experiences of users of the same model on forums and social networks.
If there are reports of more aggressive advertisements, slowdowns or serious picture/sound problems after the update, it is better to skip or at least delay the update.
Check Privacy and ACR regularly
After major updates, it is worth going through:
- privacy section,
- options like ACR, “Viewing data”, “Interest‑based ads” and personalized recommendations,
- consent related to data collection.
The goal is to restore your previous level of privacy if an update changed any of these settings.
Consider an external streaming device
If your biggest fear is that the update will slow down the TV or clutter the home screen with advertisements, the practical solution is:
- use the smart TV mainly as a “dumb” screen,
- add an external streaming device (Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Android box, etc.),
- Keep TV OS to a minimum of required updates, and transfer most functionality to a device that is easier and more frequently updated
That way, you get more control over the software, less risk of a firmware update ruining your daily experience, and easier replacement of the smart part when it becomes outdated.
Not every TV update is a must-have
Smart TV updates aren’t the same as phone updates – they often don’t get you anything concrete, and can introduce ads, slowdowns or problematic tracking options for what you’re watching. On the other hand, when they solve a specific bug, security problem or bring new functionality that extends the usability of your TV, then they really make sense, advises Pocket-Lint.
The healthiest approach is:
- don’t panic that you always have to be on the latest version,
- always read what exactly changes and check the experiences of other owners of the same model,
- regularly check privacy settings and ACR,
- if necessary, use the TV as a “dumb” screen with an external streamer.