Since the update (17.2) I've watched programing on all of the streaming apps I have loaded on the apple tv 4k gen 3 and 4. Both will not have the channels and apps list on the apple tv app.
Apple TV 4K, tvOS 17
Use the sidebar to navigate the Apple TV app - Apple TV box user guide - Apple Support
The described “Channels and Apps” features are for the Apple TV app on the Apple TV box.
Not all apps can connect to the Apple TV app. E.g. Netflix chose to not participate in this, and is therefore not supported for this. Just open the Netflix app directly from the Home Screen. Apps that have been programmed with this support, can connect (or changed to not connect) by user settings: Settings﹥Apps﹥TV app﹥[ᴄᴏɴɴᴇᴄᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴠ]﹥{app name}﹥On|Off.
I suppose the sidebar is supposed to list channels and supported apps that the user is actually watching content from via the Apple TV app, making the list manageably short. The sidebar listing is a bit less than a shortcut to the app, instead it brings a subset of content into the Apple TV app (Up Next content and a few popular/recommended shows).
External apps wouldn’t connect on third party devices with the Apple TV app, as the ‘connecting’ is done through the operating system on select Apple devices.
My sidebar is missing the Channels & Apps List. It actually stops at the Library.
Try searching for a Hulu/Prime/Peacock show in the Apple TV app, then Add it to Up Next, and initiate playback from within the Apple TV app. Maybe that triggers it?
Else not sure how that would happen. If the issue persists, then I would suggest to contact an expert from the Apple Support staff for further assistance. Contact Apple for support and service (phone numbers) or start your support request online (chat/email/callback).
Use the sidebar to navigate the Apple TV app - Apple TV box user guide - Apple Support
The described “Channels and Apps” features are for the Apple TV app on the Apple TV box.
Not all apps can connect to the Apple TV app. E.g. Netflix chose to not participate in this, and is therefore not supported for this. Just open the Netflix app directly from the Home Screen. Apps that have been programmed with this support, can connect (or changed to not connect) by user settings: Settings﹥Apps﹥TV app﹥[ᴄᴏɴɴᴇᴄᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴠ]﹥{app name}﹥On|Off.
I suppose the sidebar is supposed to list channels and supported apps that the user is actually watching content from via the Apple TV app, making the list manageably short. The sidebar listing is a bit less than a shortcut to the app, instead it brings a subset of content into the Apple TV app (Up Next content and a few popular/recommended shows).
External apps wouldn’t connect on third party devices with the Apple TV app, as the ‘connecting’ is done through the operating system on select Apple devices.
My sidebar is missing the Channels & Apps List. It actually stops at the Library.
Try searching for a Hulu/Prime/Peacock show in the Apple TV app, then Add it to Up Next, and initiate playback from within the Apple TV app. Maybe that triggers it?
Else not sure how that would happen. If the issue persists, then I would suggest to contact an expert from the Apple Support staff for further assistance. Contact Apple for support and service (phone numbers) or start your support request online (chat/email/callback).
Urquhart,
Thank you, b/c of your assistant my sidebar is operational.
To get it operational I did as you recommended I added one of the channels/apps listed in the
"store" and as I started streaming the app/s appeared under the channel/apps list. All but Netflix, I assume for the reasons you mentioned.
The available in-app channels have a listing on the Home page, when you scroll down to the Channels & Apps header. The listed apps there are those that support connecting to the Apple TV app, and have been configured on your device as connected app.
Not sure why some are featured in the sidebar, and others are omitted.
Netflix shows will never show up in the Apple TV app nor in Apple TV’s Up Next feature because Netflix’s strategy and policy require you to use their native app to find and view their content. As a result they both prohibit and actively block third parties from indexing their content and providing any points of entry other than the main entry launching the Netflix app.
Personally, I’m pretty put off by this policy and rarely ever watch Netflix as a result. I guess I’d be more willing to overlook it if they had better content, but right now it just feels like too much effort to switch over to Netflix so I just don’t bother.
First: thank you Urquhart1244 for your reply appreciate it.
Following is a more detailed summary of my devices and trouble shooting I've done:
Devices:
Apple TV 4k: 3rd and 4th Gen
Remote: Both utilizing it's own Siri 3rd Gen
Trouble Shooting:
I read Apple's "Use the sidebar to navigate the Apple TV app" article and ensured all of the settings mentioned in the article are set as mentioned for the TV 4K device.
My sidebar is missing the Channels & Apps List. It actually stops at the Library.
The apps I have turned on and streaming are: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and Peacock. Not to mention Apple TV
It appears I have something turned off. But like I said I've check every setting listed in the sidebar article from apple.
Thanks for following up. You are most welcome. I’m glad that you have it operational now. Enjoy!
(tvOs17.2) apple tv app sidebar doesn't have channels and apps list
