Fibe TV app - Can I auto tune to last channel viewed?

[Ontario1]

With Bell Fibe TV, new subscribers use the Fibe TV App to access programming. With the Fibe TV App, is there a way to have the last viewed channel automatically start playing when you turn on the TV, like it used to do with various service providers' receivers? I am looking at this service for my mother-in-law as part of Bell's conversion from copper to fibre. She currently has TV service through a cable provider. She is elderly and has a hard enough time just turning the power button on or the volume on (though I have it so her smart speaker assistant can help do that). When I turn on my TV at home (which has the Fibe TV App), it goes to the Guide highlighting the current show on the channel I had been watching when I last turned off the TV. I have to hit the central OK button on the TV remote to make the actual show on the channel display. I know it's just one more button, but at her age, it may be too much of an extra challenge. Is there a way to make Fibe TV like it is for her cable box. One touch of the power button on her remote and TV turns on with her news channel is playing for her?  Thanks,

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

Good Day & Welcome.

Thank you for posting your question.

Unfortunately, the feature you are looking for is not available on the the Fibe TV App.

The Bell Fibe TV App does not have a dedicated "last channel" button like a traditional physical remote. Instead, you can switch back to the last channel watched by selecting it from the "Recent" list or "Last watched" shortcut in the app's main menu.

The standalone Fibe TV App (used on Smart TVs, Fire TV,  Apple TV, etc.) lacks a "Last Channel" button primarily because it is designed for a standardized, app-based interface rather than traditional set-top box hardware. Instead of a dedicated button, it relies on a Recent / Last Channels menu accessible via on-screen navigation.

Take care.

[Ontario1]

Thanks for clarifying @WelshTerrier .
Given that she would never use any other apps, or even any other channels in the app, having a option to turn on a "feature" that when you open the Fibe TV app, it automatically starts playing from where you left off when you last left the App, would be very helpful for Bell customers who are elderly or have disabilities that may otherwise limit their capabilities. (Currently I see that with the Bell Fibe App she would have a two step process - turn on the TV and the Fibe TV app opens to the guide with her channel highlighted. Selecting the OK button on the remote then is required to play the channel. If instead, there was an optional auto-play the last thing that was running option, it would make it just a one button (power button) operation like it is with her cable box/TV. I hope that Bell considers adding such an optional feature as an Accessibility enhancement. Bell is usually pretty good at having things available to accommodate people with special needs. Appreciate if this could be considered for the next update to the App. A lot of folks could benefit from this.  Thanks.

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

Good Day @Ontario1 

Thank you for your feedback and gracious reply.

Yes, your suggestion for improving the Fibe TV App is definitely worth consideration & would be an enhancement. Whether this can be introduced or incorporated as part of a future software update is beyond the scope of this website.

Bell's developmental team monitors this website looking at ways & means such as this that can better meet the viewing needs of its customers.

There are no bad ideas. We appreciate your input and the detail you have provided.

Take care.