I bought my Apple TV box in 2015. It won't update to the newest iOS version. I purchased a movie that won't play on the older version. Do I have to purchase a new one?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Update iOS on older Apple TV
Apple TV HD, tvOS 17
I bought my Apple TV box in 2015.
You specified your relevant device as “Apple TV HD, tvOS 17”. That model [A1625] was first sold in 2015, although there was some overlap with the prior model. (The 3rd generation wasn't discontinued until 2016.)
It should be compatible with the current latest version tvOS 18.5.
About Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD software updates - Apple Support
How to update your Apple TV - Apple Support
What happens when you try to update? Do get an error massage? What does it say exactly?
It won't update to the newest iOS version.
How odd. tvOS 17.x to tvOS 18.x isn’t that big of a jump in versions. Try contacting Apple Support about this. They may suggest that you arrange for a visit to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. They may alternatively suggest to try to restore & update the system software through a computer, via USB. That latter method would erase existing apps and preferences though.
I purchased a movie that won't play on the older version.
Again, how odd. iTunes Store movies shouldn’t have a dependency on Apple TV box system software version.
What happens when you try to play this movie? Do get an error massage? What does it say exactly?
As of tvOS 17.2, iTunes movies and TV shows have moved to the Apple TV app (TV app). But the message in the ‘old’ Movies app explains that. The old apps are now obsolete. The Apple TV app would have your familiar Library content.
Do I have to purchase a new one?
I don’t think so; not for this reason alone.
I bought my Apple TV box in 2015.
You specified your relevant device as “Apple TV HD, tvOS 17”. That model [A1625] was first sold in 2015, although there was some overlap with the prior model. (The 3rd generation wasn't discontinued until 2016.)
It should be compatible with the current latest version tvOS 18.5.
About Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD software updates - Apple Support
How to update your Apple TV - Apple Support
What happens when you try to update? Do get an error massage? What does it say exactly?
It won't update to the newest iOS version.
How odd. tvOS 17.x to tvOS 18.x isn’t that big of a jump in versions. Try contacting Apple Support about this. They may suggest that you arrange for a visit to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. They may alternatively suggest to try to restore & update the system software through a computer, via USB. That latter method would erase existing apps and preferences though.
I purchased a movie that won't play on the older version.
Again, how odd. iTunes Store movies shouldn’t have a dependency on Apple TV box system software version.
What happens when you try to play this movie? Do get an error massage? What does it say exactly?
As of tvOS 17.2, iTunes movies and TV shows have moved to the Apple TV app (TV app). But the message in the ‘old’ Movies app explains that. The old apps are now obsolete. The Apple TV app would have your familiar Library content.
Do I have to purchase a new one?
I don’t think so; not for this reason alone.
think it auto updates apps though as I never manually updated any of those
As I understand it, those are two separate settings:
We’ve heard reports that Automatic Update sometimes didn’t do what users expected from it.
Do try the manual update. Please let us know how that went, if you will.
I've always also had my appletvs set to automatic, and I've always manually updated, maybe I'm too impatient and it would eventually have updated... think it auto updates apps though as I never manually updated any of those
Possibly. You should be able to update to TVOS 18+ on your device.
I have the automatic update on. I will follow the directions for the manual update and see if that works?
Unable to update the newest tvOS version on my Apple TV
