How to get Disney Plus on Apple TV

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.

For those of you who receive the error “Oh no! Something went wrong,” when trying to airplay Disney+, go to your software updates on your Apple TV.

Mine was set to auto update and said up to date until I manually clicked check for update.

The update made it so that Disney+ can airplay, resolving the error.

That is incorrect. There are no apps on that model, everything is based on a web template and pushed via server. Loose connection to the network and all those icons will disappear, as nothing is stored. Apple has pushed firmware updates and during the lifetime of that product new content was added to the server and pushed directly to the unit.

It would be up to those providers to decide to create a server version of their app that could run on the model, as well as continue to maintain it in addition to their apps. However, as it this unit is discontinued and has a sliming user base most have decided it isn't worth their time. Similarly, many existing producers have also been stopping support.

It is no different than older phones that can no longer be updated and developers who up their requirements for who can run the app. It isn't isolated to this divide either, with Netflix stating they will cease support for older Samsung TVs starting this month. That is how technology has always worked, whether one thinks it's right or not is an entirely different discussion that I will not be getting into.

I too was rather frustrated by the lack of Disney+ support in my 3rd Generation AppleTV. But that frustration lessened when I learned (from this thread, primarily) several realities - and mostly it is NOT Apple's "fault".

When Apple shifted course in AppleTV development, they went from server-side apps to local-hosted apps (matching the iOS form). With my 3rd Gen AppleTV, most of the app data is never actually ON your device. You launch an "app" and it downloads the rest of the necessary info to function. But these devices do not have anywhere near enough memory to do much more than serve as a true "streamer", and there is no serviceable way to change that. In the case of Disney+ and many other applications that are not supported, the developer/provider (such as Disney) would have to develop the server-side application and establish a distinct process and support for that in addition to their normal service. Extra overhead and development costs. The "apps" that these older units still support have existed, for the most part, since before the newer generation devices - so ongoing support is simpler... but not long-term guaranteed.

With the 4th Gen and 4K AppleTV devices - they have built-in storage where apps reside (much like an iPad or iPhone). So apps can function on these devices mostly independently of a remote server. These are much simpler to develop - as their development is built on a more standard and API - The 3rd party providers have an easier mechanism to support these apps as well - and in the case of AppleTV, is built on the same programming foundation as iOS apps.

It really is logical, even if disappointing. Your angry response is unmerited.

This is very easy, Disney TV+ is an app. Only Apple TV 4’s & 5’s have an App Store to download apps. ATV’s 3’s do not have an App Store therefore ATV 3’s cannot get the app.

I was able to play from my iPhone to my AppleTv 3rd Gen. today. However, I would rather be able just to click on the app on my apple tv like Disney said would be possible with the 3rd Gen when we purchased in June.

First of all, your response was rude and unappreciated. Several other people had tried same information but managed to be polite in their response. You literally took the time to log in and then probably took a few minutes to respond, so like 5 minutes out of your life to try and cut someone down 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

So to answer the original question...The app has not downloaded on Apple TV 3, but you can install the app on your iPhone and stream it to your 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.

Well good luck with that. Please read what Disney has to say in What devices and platforms are supported by Disney+? and also Disney + Help Center where it clearly states Apple TV 4's and above.

I have a fix for disney plus not available on gen 3 devices Since Apple won’t give you some kind of credit to go to gen4 or 5!!

It’s called ROKU!!!

Yeah, I can’t get Disney plus on my 3rd gen.

I’m considering picking up an Amazon fire stick for $30 rather than upgrading my Apple TV or having to do AirPlay every time. Much cheaper solution than a 4th or 5th gen.

exactly, Disney would have to lean on Apple to get them to send out a revision for the 3rd Gen's after one of those companies built and interface (they are not really Apps as we know them within the App Store) using the old programming code. The Amazon Prime interface was released in 2017 and that is the last update that has happened for the 3rd gen's until Apple just released the Apple TV+....which does not work the same as it does on the 4th and 5th Gen's because its different code...because its not a APP in the sense that this all keeps getting talked about here.

Yeah it works via airplay

It sounds to me like the most economic decision is to buy a firestick to compliment the Apple TV 3rd gen...

Correct, because Disney + is not available on the Apple TV 3. However if you load it on an iPhone or iPad or a Mac you and AirPlay it to your Apple TV 3.