Gifting movies no longer an option after 17.2 IOS update

Just FYI for everyone reading this. Apple updated their support document the day iOS 17.2 was released to indicate it will no longer be possible to gift movies & shows on Apple devices running newer versions of software:

You can't gift movies or TV shows on a Mac or Windows PC, on an iPhone running iOS 17.2 or later, on an iPad running iPadOS 17.2 or later, or on an Apple TV running tvOS 17.2 or later.

Gift apps, media, and more from Apple - Apple Support

I encourage everyone in this thread who wants to see gifting be introduced as an option to submit feedback to Apple here: www.apple.com/feedback or here: www.feedbackassistant.apple.com (the latter one I've actually received more responses to my feedback if that matters to you).

My feedback IDs for feedback I've submitted are as follows. You should reference them in your feedback submissions to indicate a broader desire to Apple:

• iOS & iPadOS: FB13680039
• macOS: FB13680043
• tvOS: FB13680045
• visionOS: FB13680046

In the meantime, while not as convenient as if Apple would just add gifting support in the Apple TV app, there are a few workarounds I've found:

• If you have a Windows PC, you can still use the iTunes app to view, wishlist, and gift movies and tv shows in the iTunes Store. Download iTunes for Windows here.
• If you have a Mac, you can download virtualization software to run Windows. Parallels will work for free, but may charge you after the initial trial ends (I'm not sure because my business pays for a Parallels license so I don't know what happens when the trial expires).
• If you have an iOS, iPadOS, or macOS device running iOS or iPadOS 17.1 or macOS 14.1, or earlier, you may still be able to access movies & shows in the iTunes Store from the iTunes Store app or the iTunes Store tab in the Music app.
• If you have previously wish listed movies and shows in the iTunes Store previously, you can still technically find and rudimentarily "browse" the movies and tv shows section of the iTunes Store in the iTunes Store app on iOS by clicking "View your Wish List" on the Movies & TV Shows tabs and then hunting and pecking through the movies/shows in your list and related movies/shows to find movies and shows. This is the crappiest of all the workarounds as it assumes you've wish listed the movies/shows (or related movies/shows) you plan to gift in the future.

Yes, I know none of my workarounds are idea for Apple users who always keep their devices running the latest software and haven't wish listed before, but just throwing them out there in case someone is desperate enough to need to access gifting for some reason – know that you still can.

Yes, it’s very frustrating. The best thing we can do is all send feedback to Apple about it. I did. Hearing from us may be the only possibility of them adding it back.

quackman34 wrote:

I don't understand why Apple would choose to take away a revenue stream.

Aknotious wrote:

I hope Apple is just late in adding this feature to the new AppleTV app. Fingers crossed.

Please give feedback to Apple about features that you would like to see returned in some way. They won’t be looking for suggestions here on the forums.

Feedback - Apple TV App - Apple

Agreed. We hate the new update.

the movie library doesn’t-

show how many movies we’ve bought.

it doesn’t show the movie info screen

it doesn’t ask to restart a movie

and now, we can’t gift movies to each other.

Whoever was managing this project was just phoning it in when they pushed these changes through.

submit feedback as much as you can.

Such a bad decision to remove the movies from iTunes. You can no longer review movies or search very easily to find what you want. I get the impression it’s all about providing a platform for other film companies to sell their wares and the consumer is now second place.

its all about the bottom line and Apple have no regard for those purchasing anymore.

Agreed. What an awful decision to no longer be able to gift. Also, can no longer leave reviews for movies. And also noticing movies are edited. Scenes of original movies are deleted. If you want to delete scenes on streaming services, fine I guess. But if I purchase a movie, I expect that movie to be in its entirety as if I purchased a DVD. Lame. I just purchased the original Ace Ventura and scenes have been edited out. This shouldn’t be allowed. I’m glad devices like Xbox allow dvd’s to be played. So disappointing.

I totally agree. I went in to gift a complete series box set that was on sale and NOPE.

Super frustrating when I was able to very easily in the iTunes Store.

I hope Apple is just late in adding this feature to the new AppleTV app. Fingers crossed.

Finally found some info on this. Glad it's not me. I took a look at the support document and to me the info is wrong as it only seems to refer to music gifting. I cant find any way of sending a film on any device. Tried the Mac, iPad and iPhone and cant find ANY gift option. Am I missing something? It was never particularly easy to gift but it now seems impossible which is a shame as my dad has covid so I wanted to sent him some films to cheer him up.

Maybe Apple should start to remember that its customers have features that they use and love and before yanking a feature maybe check with us first. Give us a heads up and ask our opinion. I used this feature all the time. Now just poof, gone???????????

Unbelievable, I was going to gift a movie to a friend and discovered I’m no longer able to.

The Apple TV app was always the ugly stepchild of the iTunes Store, very little information on the films, no reviews and now no gifting!

Bad decision-making at Apple.

I was going to purchase a TV show season for my friend for her birthday tomorrow and learned that this is no longer an option. This was a very bad decision on Apple TV’s part. I’ve already seen the show in real time. Apple’s loss; Cheesecake Factory gift card it is…

Absolutely not easy to gift prior and now not at all. Would spend about a hour to verify and gift. This also takes any surprise out as well. Not to patronise, I am sorry for your father. Despite technology, stop by protocol. Am mobility impaired ( visual and hearing impaired ), I found joy and enthusiasm in gifting movies and TV without putting the burden of the recipient to receive.

Indeed no longer possible with the new software. Even confirmed in the support document: Gift apps, media, and more from Apple - Apple Support

Very disappointing. I don't understand why Apple would choose to take away a revenue stream. It doesn't make sense for them, or us! Lose-Lose.