Apple tv app for roku is not playing my movies

After running through several of the above mentioned steps (on the Roku), this is what worked for me:

Set your display to 1080p. Roku Settings > Display type > 1080p TV.

Set your audio to Stereo. Roku Settings > Audio > Audio Mode > Stereo

Logout of AppleTV and then uninstall AppleTV.

Clear the Roku Cache: Push the home button 5 times, up button 1 time, rewind button 2 times, fast forward button 2 times. After a few seconds the Roku will reboot with a clear cache (it might seem like the Roku is frozen after entering the button combo, but it will restart on its own, give it a minute).

Reinstall AppleTV and login.

So I finally got mine to work but only by stumbling onto my own error. I have two apple IDs (not sure why...goes back a long time). One is my personal email address and the other is the iCloud email address. I use my personal email address for all iTunes and App Store purchases. I had accidentally signed into my iCloud account. I was able to see my library and family library somehow but nothing played. After I made a purchase on the Roku I realized I was on a different account because the purchase didn’t show up on my phone or Apple TV. That’s when I realized I was signed in on the wrong account. I switched accounts then everything started playing like normal from my library.

This probably won’t help most of you but wanted to throw it out there.

Seth,

That appears to be my problem as well. My iTunes account was different than my overall Apple ID. I signed in with the iTunes account address and it loaded properly. I had tried different apple id varieties .me, .mac, etc.. but had not tried my iTunes login. Thanks for the suggestion.

I’ve discovered that only the top of the line Roku devices actually work to show your iTunes purchases on the Apple TV Roku channel . I have two Roku “ultra” boxes; and they both work. I bought one at Walmart on Black Friday for $48 (regular price $99). I should have bought 2 of them.

This is really annoying, because my lesser Roku box in my family room allowed me to BUY a movie on the Apple TV Roku channel, then it wouldn’t let me watch it! That’s BS in my opinion. It should have noticed that the player I was using wasn’t going to let me watch my purchase, but NOPE. It took my money then wouldn’t let me watch. I went to get the Roku Ultra from our main TV, and it worked.

This page has a list of which Roku boxes will let you watch your iTunes library: (you can find your device type in the “system” “about” menu on Roku):

https://support.roku.com/article/360036652634-how-do-i-use-the-apple-tv-channel-on-my-roku-streaming-device-

I've had similar problem with Apple tv app on my 2019 model Samsung TV. The solution that worked for me is to turn off power on TV for a minute. By turn off power I mean not just pres turn off on remote but also taking the power plug out.

I was receiving the same error. Removed, then re-added appleTv app , still wouldn’t work. Did what someone on here recommended and “bullied” it by clicking the episode I wanted over and over, rapidly clearing the error message. 4th time, went through just fine.

I’ve figured out how to fix my sound issue, have yet to figure out why it’s sometimes unable to play videos.

To fix the sound, go into your Roku settings, select audio, change it from Auto(Dolby Digital) to Stereo. That worked for me. Hope this helps!

See if the solution presented here works:

https://appletoolbox.com/apple-tv-app-for-roku-not-working-how-to-fix/

I found that the problem seems to be related to 4k. If I set my Roku to 1080p then it works.

This worked for me. Started watching The Morning Show on my iPad, left it streaming and then loaded the same episode through my Roku. Weird but it worked. This app and ROKU are not ready for prime time. I hope Apple and ROKU will collaborate to fix the issues with the rollout.

I’ve also just purchased a Roku Streaming Stick+ just for Apple TV. However only thing that doesn’t work on it is of course, Apple TV.

Fairly sure it’s some kind of authentication issue. I’m logged in but Apple TV+ shows play for about 30 seconds and then hang forever. A couple of times I’ve managed to get a show to play by logging out and logging back in manually on the stick. Works once, but not twice then I have to log out/in again. Not entirely sure where to go for support so I guess the Roku is going back.

Maybe its the roku player try clearing the cache on roku. Push the home button 5 times up 1 time rewind 2 times fast forward 2 times wait about 30 seconds should reboot and clear catch.

I am having the same issue. I bought a new Roku with the new remote specifically for Apple content and the fact that Netflix was not going to play on my old Roku after 12/1/19... I have removed the app and reinstalled, updated Roku and even the Apple App a day after reinstalling it but still videos just give the "Unable to play..." error...

This will not solve the problem but if a particular show is giving you the message “this video isn't available to watch”, you can start watching the show on your iPhone (ie another device). You then, for whatever reason, will be able to resume watching on Roku.

That list says this new Roku I bought (Roku Express +, because I didn’t want to buy another Ultra) should work, but it doesn’t. Only the Roku Ultra will play my iTunes library on the Roku Apple TV channel :(