Plex restores its TV sidebar menu after months of backlash

Plex is rolling back its controversial TV interface redesign: the main menu returns to the left side of the screen, as before. The publisher is deploying this update in preview for Apple TV, Roku, and Android TV, along with other user-requested tweaks.

A partial but targeted rollback

The Plex app redesign for big screens, launched several months ago, had moved the main navigation menu to the top of the interface in a horizontal bar. A decision that sparked persistent criticism from users accustomed to the side layout. Facing this backlash, Plex announced in a official forum post the return of the left-side menu as a collapsible side panel.

This update has been available since August 18, 2026, for users in preview programs (Apple TV, Roku) and beta (Android TV). Fire TV owners will have to wait until Plex processes feedback from the first testers, according to the announcement.

Practical improvements beyond the side menu

Beyond the return of the side menu, the update introduces several optimizations:

• Libraries marked as favorites now appear at the top of the list for quicker access.
• Live TV and DVR sources can be reorganized and marked as favorites, just like classic libraries.
• Navigation between pages of the same source is simplified, with no need to return to the main menu.
• Bug fixes and performance improvements round out the update.

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A backdrop of user tensions

The interface redesign isn’t the only recent Plex decision to spark reactions. In July 2026, the publisher raised the price of its lifetime Plex Pass subscription from $250 to $750, a hike that also fueled long-time user discontent. The return of the side menu, though partial, may ease some of the criticism.

On Reddit, early tester feedback is positive, contrasting with months of negative feedback on the new interface. Plex has not specified a date for the public rollout, but it should follow quickly after the testing phase.

Plex is showing here that it listens to its community, even if the process took time. The side menu, a symbol of simplicity for many, is back—but the question remains: will this concession be enough to appease users, as other decisions, like the price hike, remain controversial?