How to get Disney Plus on Apple TV

You can mirror play from your phone to an older Apple TV. I couldn’t download the Disney+app to the Apple TV because it’s older, but I can mirror play it beautifully. It’s a good work around compared to buying a new Apple TV.

Apples to Oranges. AppleTV+ is Apple's own service. Not surprising that they would add that to their devices. Disney+ is a whole other situation - a 3rd Party that has to develop an app that is specific to the earlier AppleTV device - one that the actual app resides on the server. It works totally differently to how apps and programming work on the AppleTV HD and AppleTV 4K, which are essentially stand-alone devices like a smartphone or iPad.

Is it technically possible for Disney to develop and push out such an app (one that would cost them Development $ for a separate device?) - sure. Is it likely? Only if there are enough earlier AppleTV owners who raise a stink.

But again - this is NOT an APPLE issue or decision. It is the provider's decision.

You can always suggest that to Apple at www.apple.com/feedback

Apple added AppleTV+ to 3rd Gen this past week. Disney+ will likely end up doing the same...eventually. IMO

This was the best answer out there!! Highly upset I cannot get it on my bedroom TVs. So $40 fire sticks are definitely the answer! Thank you!

https://help.disneyplus.com/csp?id=csp_article_content&sys_kb_id=4c9e43591b058010a24eb8c11a4bcb82

Disney+ is supported on Apple TV HD (4th gen or later) and Apple TV 4K running tvOS 11.0 and later.

General Notes

• High-speed Internet is required
• HDCP and high-speed HDMI is required, with HDCP 2.2 required for 4K Ultra HD and/or HDR content
• For the best experience, we recommend using the most recent available operating system version

Unsupported Devices

• Apple TV 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation devices are not supported.

however:

Disney+ supports AirPlay between any iOS device and:

• Apple TV (running tvOS 11.0 or higher)
• 3rd generation Apple TV
• TVs compatible with AirPlay 2.

For optimal performance, we recommend installing the latest firmware available for your devices.

First off, I too am bummed that Disney+ wont work on a Gen3 AppleTV. Airplay works just fine, so if anyone in your hosuehold has an iPad or iPhone, it will still be just fine.

However, the Gen3 AppleTV was released in 2013. Gen4 AppleTV was released in 2015, dropping the price of the Gen3 to $150. Then in 2017, the Gen5 AppleTV (the 4K one) was released in 2017, dropping the price of the Gen4 to $150 and discontinuing the Gen3 completely.

So if you paid $150 for a 3rd Gen AppleTV that was discontinued in 2017 and since Disney+ was announced in Nov 2018. you got robbed.

You can contact them at www.apple.com/feedback and make that suggestion but I doubt it is that easy, I'm sure Disney and Apple would need to agree on the advantage is to Apple and Disney doing so as well as the Ts & Cs.

I suspect you may not have a Apple TV 3. Please check Identify your Apple TV model. If you have an Apple TV 3 and you can get the Disney + app loaded on it, you are the only one in the world. So congratulations.

Had you read the Terms of Use of these forums you would have learned that Apple is our host, they do not read nor do they post on theses forums. We are all end users like yourself. If you want to speak to Apple you can either contact AppleCare, visit your local Apple Store, or submit feedback to www.apple.com/feedback.

Michael

I appreciate the explanation. Frustrating all the same, Apple should consider giving a trade in like they do for the phones.

GC

OMG that is right! That is the most helpful suggestion yet! Thank you

From AppleAdvisorMac

https://help.disneyplus.com/csp?id=csp_article_content&sys_kb_id=4c9e43591b058010a24eb8c11a4bcb82

Disney+ is supported on Apple TV HD (4th gen or later) and Apple TV 4K running tvOS 11.0 and later.

General Notes

• High-speed Internet is required
• HDCP and high-speed HDMI is required, with HDCP 2.2 required for 4K Ultra HD and/or HDR content
• For the best experience, we recommend using the most recent available operating system version

Unsupported Devices

• Apple TV 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation devices are not supported.

however:

Disney+ supports AirPlay between any iOS device and:

• Apple TV (running tvOS 11.0 or higher)
• 3rd generation Apple TV
• TVs compatible with AirPlay 2.

For optimal performance, we recommend installing the latest firmware available for your devices.

Disney+ is supported on Apple TV HD (4th gen or later) and Apple TV 4K running tvOS 11.0 and later.

General Notes

• High-speed Internet is required
• HDCP and high-speed HDMI is required, with HDCP 2.2 required for 4K Ultra HD and/or HDR content
• For the best experience, we recommend using the most recent available operating system version

Unsupported Devices

• Apple TV 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation devices are not supported.

Maybe try setting your tv picture setting to “scan” if available. Also, instead of screen mirroring, you can just tap the little airplay icon (like the picture below) when the video starts, then choose your Apple TV from there. You will need to keep the device unlocked so I suggest you plug it in and change the device screen settings to never turn off when plugged in.