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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

First Alert 4

20
User verdict / 100 High confidence In trouble

The First Alert 4 app, despite a high lifetime rating, is currently receiving overwhelmingly negative feedback due to an update that introduced excessive, intrusive ads, critical functionality issues, and poor user experience, leading many long-time users to consider deleting it.

4.6★ lifetime (13,208) Free to download since 2010 by Gray Television Group, Inc. updated 0.9 mo ago recent negative 86% 120 reviews across 1 regions
Excessive Ads Broken Notifications Poor Video Experience Navigation & UI Issues Tablet/Landscape Mode Outdated/Missing Content
5★8
4★4
3★22
2★48
1★168
recent reviews across 1 regions, vs the 4.6★ lifetime average

The First Alert 4 app has seen a significant decline in user satisfaction following a recent update, with many users reporting a frustrating experience dominated by numerous unskippable ads. Key issues include broken notifications, navigation problems, and videos not playing correctly, contradicting developer claims of improved reliability and fixes. While some users appreciate the local news content, the app's current state is driving many to seek alternatives.

What users like

  • Provides local news content, especially for severe weather coverageR65R18R239
  • Some users enjoy specific local shows and anchorsR59R60R208
  • Useful for keeping up with hometown news for those living elsewhereR233

What users complain about

  • Excessive, intrusive, and unskippable ads disrupt content viewing and app navigationR8R10R11R12
  • Notifications and alerts are unreliable or do not lead to the correct storyR2R4R21R28
  • Videos autoplay with sound and lack mute or pause controlsR7R18R35R37
  • App navigation is difficult, with issues like returning to the top of the feed after reading an article or being unable to find advertised contentR1R2R27R31
  • Problems with video playback, including ads instead of content or incorrect videos playingR7R15R20R27
  • App does not support landscape mode on tablets (iPad)R206R231R232R237
  • Some users report inappropriate or misleading ads, including phishing attemptsR6R24R38R77
  • Stories are often outdated or content is unavailableR82R94R127R199
  • App is slow to load and freezesR31R84R236
  • Lack of text size customization and small, difficult-to-read fontsR17R30R42R95
  • Specific content (like Illinois news or sports) is hard to find or missingR129R208
  • Concerns about political bias in news reportingR51R80R92R98

Latest update · v136.0.6

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

Improved how images display in stories and on the home screen. Fixed an issue where sharing a story was not working on some devices. Video playlists now display all videos correctly Improved video playback reliability. General bug fixes and performance improvements.

Recurring themes

Excessive Ads negative
The most prevalent complaint is the overwhelming number of ads, including full-screen, unskippable video ads that play on app launch, before articles, and during live streams, often with blaring sound. Users find these ads disruptive, especially during critical weather alerts, and many feel they prioritize revenue over user experience and public safety. This directly contradicts the developer's notes about 'general bug fixes and performance improvements' as the ad experience is a major performance and usability issue.R8R10R11R12
Broken Notifications negative
Many users report that custom notifications do not work, or they receive irrelevant alerts. When clicking on a notification, the app often fails to direct them to the correct article, instead taking them to the home screen or not loading the content at all. This directly contradicts the developer's notes about 'general bug fixes'.R2R4R21R28
Poor Video Experience negative
Users are frustrated by videos that autoplay with sound, often without options to mute, pause, or control volume. There are also reports of videos not playing, displaying advertisements instead of the intended content, or showing unrelated videos. This contradicts the developer's notes about 'improved video playback reliability' and 'video playlists now display all videos correctly'.R7R11R18R20
Navigation & UI Issues negative
The app's navigation is widely criticized as difficult and unintuitive. Common complaints include being taken back to the top of the feed after reading an article, inability to swipe between articles, and difficulty finding specific content. The new layout is generally disliked, with some finding the font size too small and uneditable.R1R2R17R23
Tablet/Landscape Mode negative
Several iPad users report that the app no longer supports landscape mode, forcing them to use it in portrait mode which is inconvenient for watching videos or reading.R206R231R232R237
Outdated/Missing Content negative
Users note that stories are frequently outdated, sometimes weeks old, and that content advertised on TV or specific local news (like Illinois traffic/news or sports) is often difficult or impossible to find within the app.R1R94R127R129

Who it's for

This app is for users who are extremely loyal to First Alert 4's local news coverage, particularly for severe weather, and are willing to tolerate a highly ad-saturated and often frustrating user experience R65R239. It is NOT for users who expect a smooth, ad-free news consumption experience, reliable notifications, or functional video playback R8R21.

Evidence note: The recent reviews are overwhelmingly negative (86.4% negative) and consistently highlight the same critical issues, particularly regarding ads and app functionality. While the lifetime rating is high, the recent trajectory indicates a severe decline in user satisfaction following a recent update. The developer's release notes claim to have fixed issues like sharing stories and video playback, but recent reviews directly contradict these claims, indicating these problems persist or new ones have emerged.

Frequently asked

Does the First Alert 4 app have too many ads?
Yes, recent reviews overwhelmingly indicate that the First Alert 4 app has an excessive number of ads, including unskippable video ads that play on launch, before articles, and during live streams, significantly disrupting the user experience R8R10R11R12.
Do notifications work reliably in the First Alert 4 app?
No, many users report that notifications are unreliable; custom notifications often don't work, irrelevant alerts are received, and clicking on a notification frequently fails to lead to the correct story R2R4R21R28.
Does the First Alert 4 app support landscape mode on tablets?
No, several iPad users report that the app no longer supports landscape mode, forcing them to use it in portrait orientation, which is inconvenient for viewing content R206R231R232R237.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R65] 2/5 · US Great stories and people BUT THE ADS: I love watching KMOV especially for severe weather. The reporters, anchors, and meteorologists are all amazing! The app brings great breaking news stories with typically the most accurate information. They tell us to get on the app in case the power goes out in a severe weather event. But the live stream turns off for ads at least every 10-15 minutes. I’m not
  2. [R18] 3/5 · US Stop autoplaying videos with sound: The content is good, but I really wish there was an option to either 1) stop autoplaying videos, or 2) at least have them be muted when they do. I actually hate opening this app because it’s so obnoxious and disrupts everything I’m doing. I still do, because I want to see the content, but I don’t enjoy it.
  3. [R239] 5/5 · US Excellent weather coverage: We live 1 1/2 north east of stl. Your coverage is right on for us. It’s my every day thing to do with checking your weather report especially during bad weather times. Keep up the good work. Your accuracy beats all others. Thank you.
  4. [R59] 5/5 · US Great Day St. Louis Rocks!!!: I thoroughly enjoy this show because it is not bad or sad news. It is educational, fun team to watch, I love to know about events, tips & tricks, good news, dining recommendations, & hear about the cast opinions or they share their wkd. plans. The cast is so humble. In order to enjoy my show Great Day St. Louis) & me time, I try to have my phone on silenced mode.
  5. [R60] 5/5 · US 5 & 6 news: I am very impressed with Morgan & Cameron filling in for Sam & Corey. They are just great together. Need to team them up to anchor a nightly news cast.
  6. [R208] 3/5 · US Undecided: I think KMOV has the best news team hands down. I’m finding myself watching less and less though. Your reports are clearly biased and leaning too far to the left. This new app has way too many ads and I still can’t find sports on it.
  7. [R233] 5/5 · US Thanks for new app: I’m in Florida 6 months each year. I use your app to keep up on my home town news.
  8. [R8] 1/5 · US Too Many Ads!: … on auto play and loud af, when you close one ad, another takes its place. Back to KSDK.
  9. [R10] 1/5 · US Annoying: The ads are distracting,annoying and useless. Stick to news,weather and sports
  10. [R11] 2/5 · US Disappointed with update: Since update, you click on the story and a video add pops up and plays. There is no way to shut it off
  11. [R12] 1/5 · US Ready to delete: Ads starts automatically Don’t care for
  12. [R2] 1/5 · US App needs work: Many things wrong with this app, once you click a story towards the end of the “top stories”, and you’re finished reading and click back, the app always takes you to the very top - losing where you previously were. The custom notifications don’t work. I have “breaking news” only checked, but I receive notifications of the cardinals minor league team’s results. Please fix!!! This
  13. [R4] 2/5 · US Bring back the old one: Prefer the old one better. Do not get updates or notifications, have been through my settings, have re installed too. I am die hard Channel 4 fan a not being able to notifications and getting other outlets before I get it front here … is upsetting. I have always trusted this source. If this can be fixed please assist. Thank you!
  14. [R21] 1/5 · US Horrible!!!: This new app is the worst! Absolutely horrible! I’ve enabled alerts and have received none. Ads, ads and more ads! It won’t allow me to give 0 stars. Horrible app!
  15. [R28] 2/5 · US Alert: Yes! Please fix the app to correct the notification alert.
  16. [R7] 3/5 · US Needs slight improvements: There needs to an auto play option so you can opt out. Have the option to automatically playing videos or when I can just read the story. There’s a glitch where the stories I clicked to read or watch don’t come on. A bunch of advertisements come on and never show the story I clicked on.
  17. [R35] 3/5 · US Do not like the latest version: I've been using the KMOV App for several years now and I don’t appreciate being forced to listen to ads while reading the stories because there is no pause or volume control. I could care less how Peter Pan feels about AAA. I used to love this app, now I’m not as inclined to use it. 🥺
  18. [R37] 1/5 · US Can’t Silence Videos: Can’t silence videos while reading news.
  19. [R1] 3/5 · US App: Whenever I hear you say that more of the story is on their app, I cannot find it. No amount of scrolling or search words work.
  20. [R27] 1/5 · US Not user friendly: Updated app is horrible! Too many ads. Not able to swipe between articles. Videos do not play. This is a horrible update!! Will be deleting app.
  21. [R31] 2/5 · US New app: I do not like the new app. Please go back to the old one. This new one is harder to navigate and takes longer to load.
  22. [R15] 1/5 · US App sucks: App sucks and can’t even watch previous newscast on the news channel. Y’all a joke
  23. [R20] 2/5 · US Title doesn’t match video?!: I’ve pretty much always enjoyed the app until tonight. I make a choice as to what I want to read or watch. Seems the reading part matches the title. But video that should go along with it is a totally different subject?
  24. [R206] 4/5 · US iPad app needs landscape update: I’m very happy with the iPhone app and news service but when I use the iPad app it only works in portrait mode. It would be nice to work like iPhone app in both portrait and landscape mode.
  25. [R231] 3/5 · US Rotation: Please make it possible that the screen will rotate, especially when playing a video. On my iPad it is so much harder to watch than the old app because the video won’t rotate horizontally to for the screen
  26. [R232] 4/5 · US Rotation: The only thing I don’t like since you updated the App is I can’t rotate it. I like it in the horizontal position. All I get is the vertical position. I have to turn my IPad to read and watch. Wish they would change it. All other news I watch and read does both.
  27. [R237] 3/5 · US I like to watch in horizontal mode: It is bad enough I have to give up the weather app (I’m not happy about that). This app appears to be made for smart phones. I like to use my iPad horizontally but this app does not rotate for horizontal mode. Very disappointing.
  28. [R6] 1/5 · US TERRIBLE APP SINCE UPDATED: WHEN TRYING TO READ A NOTIFICATION WITH NEWS IT OPENS UP CONSTANTLY THAT MY PHONE IS RESTRICTED AND HACKED BECAUSE I VISITED MANY ADULT WEBSITES. HAVE NEVER DONE ANY OF THAT EVER!!! IT WON’T LET ME GO TO ANY OF THE NEWS STORIES. GETTING REALLY FRUSTRATED AND THINKING I MIGHT HAVE TO DELETE THIS APP IF IT CANT BE STOPPED.
  29. [R24] 1/5 · US Pornographic ads: What’s up with all of the inappropriate pornograhic ads lately in the app?
  30. [R38] 1/5 · US Horrible!!!: App uses too many fake adds, and click bait. If you accidentally hit one, you are forced to access a site, and then you cannot close it in the app. There is never enough information given on any stories to make this app useful at all! I am deleting!
  31. [R77] 1/5 · US Bad links: Don’t look at ads, several lead to phishing sites!
  32. [R82] 1/5 · US Stories not available: Unable to open any stories the past week. Cannot even open “contact us”.
  33. [R94] 1/5 · US App: They’re never up to date. I don’t know why? You look at 2 pm & the stories are still from the day before.
  34. [R127] 3/5 · US “News”: Half the stories on the page are at least two to three weeks old.
  35. [R199] 3/5 · US No content available: Since the iOS 14 update and my new iPhone 11, every time I click onto a story it says “content unavailable try again.”
  36. [R84] 2/5 · US Barely usable with ads: I know they need ads but this is completely covered with ads and I can barely read the weather forecast with it freezing up to load even more ads. Not worth using.
  37. [R236] 3/5 · US Slow: Articles are slow to load when you tap on an alert.
  38. [R17] 1/5 · US Longtime user, first time reviewer: The current, recently updated version is horrible! Font size of headlines unreadable and not editable. More and larger size ads than actual news. Stay in your lane. I may have to go back to KSDK or Fox2Now.
  39. [R30] 1/5 · US The new app format is terrible: The font is condensed and difficult to read and the AI slop ads are annoying. Terrible design. Do better, Channel 4.
  40. [R42] 1/5 · US Completely Changed Today: Print became very small and difficult to read.
  41. [R95] 1/5 · US Text size inadequacies and other: This app doesn’t not let you set text size, does not let you pull the screen to increase size nor does it respond to apple settings for text size. That coupled with its lack of editing and little to no weekend updates are why this app is rated so low.
  42. [R129] 3/5 · US Illinois does not exist: Does not matter if it is traffic or news, they always forget Illinois. I sit in traffic a lot due to never an update about traffic except if slow day or popular street bridge. I continue to look for news in Illinois but cannot find anything on drop down button either
  43. [R51] 1/5 · US Misleading Headlines and first paragraphs: This news team has demonstrated an inability to remove their obvious left wing stances from their headlines and news stories. Example, the story related to Ice Agents firing on a van insinuates they did so without justification if you read the headline and first paragraph, but once you get to the facts later on that the people in the van were trying to r
  44. [R80] 2/5 · US Immigration: Let’s be honest. Most came here illegally. You fail to point that out. Yes immigration needs reform but breaking the law to get here doesn’t mean you get help. It means you go back. Vote! Change the laws. But don’t allow just any Tom, Thomina or Harry into our country!!! FFS🤦🏻‍♂️
  45. [R92] 1/5 · US journalist..... scum: i would hate to be delivery of false truth for a paycheck
  46. [R98] 1/5 · US Left leaning media: It is very sad that their are no real journalists. If you only report on one side you cannot decipher the actual truth. That is called brainwashing!
  47. [R23] 1/5 · US Update: This new update to your app stinks. From the opening, which isn’t easy to get rid of the ad, thanks a bunch by the way, to the new layout. Have you heard the phrase, “ If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it “ ? Well, it wasn’t broke, so fix it, and put it back the way it was

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store