Videos won't play unless downloaded

Question

Level 1

4 points

Videos won't play unless downloaded

I recently updated to ios10, and ever since then, my Videos app always tries to download whatever tv show episode I try to watch.

I'm being very careful not to hit the download cloud, and to tap on the picture to start the show. The episode tries to download, and since I have zero free space on my device, it fails. Once it flashes the failed to download message at me, it goes back to the video selection screen. I cancel the download, tap the picture again, and it tries to start downloading again.

My wi-fi is turned on and connected. I am signed in to icloud. Automatic downloads are turned off.

I used to be able to watch videos over the wi-fi without having to download them to my device, and that's what I want to do again.

iPad Mini 3 Wi-Fi

Posted on Nov 3, 2016 3:35 AM

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Answer 1

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Nov 3, 2016 7:34 PM in response to Tulia1776

Hello Tulia1776,
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

I understand from your post that you are not able to stream your TV episodes and only get the option to download them which fails because you do not have enough space on your iPad Mini 3. I like to steam my TV episodes too. First, verify that the TV episode is available to stream by checking to see if there is both a play button and download button.

Stream your iTunes Store movies or TV shows

Stream TV shows or movies

If streaming is available for a movie or TV show you buy or rent, the video instantly plays when you choose or . These videos stream at the highest quality definition based on your device setting and Internet speed.

If your TV episode is not available to stream, you can free up space on your iPad Mini 3 by using the steps listed in the below article. While it is mainly for creating space for an iOS update, the same steps work to make more space available:

If you need more space for an iOS update

Delete content manually

In the Usage Settings menu, you can see how much space your apps use and delete the ones you don't need. You can always re-download your purchased apps or other content later. Follow these steps:

Tap Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage > Manage Storage.

Select any app to see how much space it uses, and tap Delete App to remove it. Some apps, such as Music and Videos, let you delete parts of their documents and data.

Best Regards.

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Answer 2

MichelPM

Level 10

81,571 points

Nov 3, 2016 11:06 PM in response to chuck_3rd

I'd like to ask something on this topic, Alex, as I get this question asked a lot!

Does the iTunes movie or TV show simply just STREAM, if that option is available, OR is the iTunes movie/video, as it streams, actually is still downloading the content to the iDevice as you watch it, giving the appearance of content streaming when in actuality, the content is still being downloaded to your device while you are watching?

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