Older Apple TV and Apple Fitness+ Compatibility Issues - Airplay Disabled

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Level 1

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Older Apple TV and Apple Fitness+ Compatibility Issues - Airplay Disabled

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone had any trouble connecting an older generation (3 or earlier) Apple TV with the new Apple Fitness+ app? I can get it to airplay fine for the preview and while navigating the app, but when it gets to the workout the screen goes black. It's really strange that it cuts out just as the workout video starts, I can't exactly put my finger on why it would work for everything else in the app except that part? It's almost like it's done deliberately.

On the Apple website compatibility doesn't seem to be an issue with older models since the website itself clearly states "To use Fitness+ with any Apple TV, you need to connect your Apple Watch..."

I feel very confused about this topic because I know Apple are a genuine company with high levels of integrity and morals, and would never create an app that is designed only to be used with newer hardware even though previous models contain the exact same functionality, in this case Airplay. I feel I may be doing something wrong then and would like to know if anyone else has come across this issue?

I definitely hope my Apple TV is supported, as their website says, otherwise I would probably have to seek a refund for my Apple Watch through consumer legislation protection via NSW Fair Trading because I wouldn't be able to use the watch for this function which is why I bought it in the first place, contradicting the website.

But I'm sure that's not it and I'm just missing something that is an honest and quick fix. Is anyone from Apple or other community users able to provide any assistance in helping me to get it connected via airplay successfully?

See attached the screenshot where it states it can be used on any Apple TV. Weird.

Apple Watch

Posted on Jan 6, 2021 1:59 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

vazandrew

Level 8

40,834 points

Jan 8, 2021 9:54 AM in response to E1703

The 3rd gen has never run apps, only preset 'channels' that are sent via server. The 3rd gen has long since been discontinued but Apple chose to create a server version of the TV app. If you have an older model, like the 2nd gen then that is classified as obsolete. The hardware is not able to run TVOS nor apps and it would also be unable to pair with the watch. As far as airplay, the service is more then just streaming video and is built around the watch. While users can use it without on mobile devices, that is more of a temporary solution and doing so regularly would defeat the foundation of what the service is about. However, that function isn't available on Apple TV anyway.

The requirements are clearly stated on the Fitness Plus page.

Apple Fitness+ requires Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 7.2

or later and one of the following Apple devices: iPhone 6s or later with

iOS 14.3 or later, iPad with iPadOS 14.3 or later, or Apple TV with

tvOS 14.3 or later.1

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Answer 2

mingoslkd

Community Specialist

Jan 8, 2021 9:09 AM in response to E1703

Hi there E1703,

Thank you for posting in the Apple Support Communities. From our understanding, you'd like to use Apple Fitness+ on your Apple TV, but when it's set to play, it goes black. We'd like to share some guidance about this.

Apple Fitness+ is available on the Apple TV 4K with tvOS 14.3 or later, or Apple TV HD with tvOS 14.3 or later. This is why you're unable to use your Apple TV to view the workouts. More information is here: Devices you can use with Apple Fitness+

If you'd like to provide feedback about this, please do so here: Feedback - Apple TV

We hope this information is useful. Take care.

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Older Apple TV and Apple Fitness+ Compatibility Issues - Airplay Disabled

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