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Apple pulls YouTube from older 2nd-gen Apple TVs after planned Google API change

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Following up on our report from April that Google planned to end YouTube support for older Apple TVs and iOS 6 and earlier devices due to API changes, Apple has officially removed the YouTube channel from pre-third-generation Apple TVs. YouTube’s main menu icon has disappeared, along with the Settings menu option to hide or show it along with other channels. Current-generation models continue to have YouTube access.

Apple introduced the third-generation Apple TV in March 2012, noting that it was capable of operating at up to 1080p resolution, which was at that point the only major difference between the new model and its 720p predecessor. A later update to the Apple TV’s operating system further differentiated the 1080p and 720p models, refreshing the icons and fonts on the 1080p version while leaving the 720p model unchanged. While Apple is no longer updating older Apple TVs with new software, it can add and pull individual channels from them without the need for software updates.

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Comments

  1. Andrew Messenger - 9 years ago

    Sad to see Apple withholding the updated AppleTV software from my perfectly capable 2nd generation AppleTV. I bought a FireTV stick to replace it.

    • I’m pretty sure it’s Google making this decision. Not Apple. Apple’s just removing it because it won’t work anymore due to Google changing things once again. Besides, the AppleTV costs $100 and if you’re still using one from 2011 or before, it’s probably a good time to upgrade anyway.

      That said, your decision to switch to a FireTV isn’t a bad one as those are perfectly capable. I’m a Roku fan myself. Actually the only reason I don’t buy AppleTV’s even though I’m an Apple user all around is because they still inexplicably haven’t put an App Store on it even though they practically invented the modern App Store and put it on every single other device they make. But not the one device where it would be perfect.

      • bellevueboy - 9 years ago

        Yes this has happened on my Sony TV too. App might still be there but I have been getting warning that it won’t be supported.

      • Andrew Messenger - 9 years ago

        The AppleTV 3rd gen received a software update with new versions of apps and updated UI. it was apples decision to not provide the AppleTV software 7.0 on 2nd generation hardware, leaving us with version 6.2 which does not include the latest version of YouTube which DOES still work.

        That makes this Apple’s decision, not Google’s.

      • observer1959 - 9 years ago

        I’m not sure what this means but this past February I updated an early model third generation Apple TV to a later model third generation Apple TV because I needed to get the version that worked without a Wi-Fi network. It plays straight from my iPhone to the Apple TV without a network . I paid the $99 at the time and a week later it dropped in price to $69 I went back in and got a $30 refund.

      • observer1959 - 9 years ago

        From Apple site;
        Peer-to-peer AirPlay requires a Mac (2012 or later) with OS X Yosemite or an iOS device (late 2012 or later) with iOS 8; and an Apple TV (3rd generation rev A, model A1469 or later) with Apple TV software 7.0 or later.

        I believe my first early generation Apple TV 3 was model 1424 .

  2. dmaclennan14 - 9 years ago

    YouTube was pulled from my 3rd gen Apple TV sometime overnight. Why is it coming off 3rd gen models too?

    • Jeremy Horwitz - 9 years ago

      It was still appearing on my 3rd-gen Apple TV as of this morning. Are you sure yours is 3rd-gen? Have you tried a reset?

      • dmaclennan14 - 9 years ago

        Haven’t tried a reset yet. Model number is A1469 which I believe is 3rd gen Rev A.

    • observer1959 - 9 years ago

      You have the later model third-generation that works with peer-to-peer
      Peer-to-peer AirPlay requires a Mac (2012 or later) with OS X Yosemite or an iOS device (late 2012 or later) with iOS 8; and an Apple TV (3rd generation rev A, model A1469 or later) with Apple TV software 7.0 or later.

  3. Patrick Raiford - 9 years ago

    Apple isn’t the only one pulling youtube. Sony is pulling it from my Blu-ray player as well or at least google isn’t making an update for the youtube player on my Blu-ray player.

  4. bellevueboy - 9 years ago

    AirPlay of you tube from my phone to Apple TV will still hopefully work. That is my preferred way of using YouTube anyways because searches are easy.

  5. caringforchristdr1watson - 9 years ago

    Google is trying the American business playbook . . . . PROPRIETARY !!!
    Alienate the few savvy users and stick it to the general consumer.

    IE: Drops JAVA and Windtime browser plugins.

    i loose my stock monitoring and ShowTime watching in C H R O M E browser.

    Well>>>>> GOOGLE , it’s back to IE and Safari . . . .you fools.!!

  6. donvernier - 9 years ago

    Apple is a 50 billion dollar company sorry if they can’t provide!
    If you want to buy an apple watch then Apple is here for you but if you own a 2nd Generation AppletTV then you don’t interest them no more! Buy the latest gizmo and you are in own a 2 years old device you are out!
    They keep on doing it and you they don’t bother to give explaination!

    • observer1959 - 9 years ago

      That’s funny my wife has her iPad 2 and I have a first generation iPad Air and we are both running the same operating system.

    • rahhbriley - 9 years ago

      Here have some crumbs…wouldn’t want you to starve.

  7. Thomas Georgetown - 9 years ago

    I am sort of glad Apple decided on no software upgrade to the 2nd generation. That pushed me to buy a Roku and I have to say I like it much better. The remote with dedicated Netflix and Amazon buttons is nice plus the plug in to listen with headphones is a pure brilliant idea. I like Apple stuff, have an iPhone, iPod, iPad and two iMacs but will not get another AppleTV for the foreseeable future. Roku from now on unless Apple does some fantastic thing with an updated AppleTV.

  8. Teresa Duncan - 9 years ago

    According to the model number mine is supposed to be Gen 3 but the icon is gone just the same.

  9. Robert Ressl - 9 years ago

    This sucks

  10. Bill Marlow - 9 years ago

    I have 3 Apple TVs. I mostly use them for streaming MP4 movies from my computer’s HD.
    But my 2 bedroom TVs (both gen2) are only 720p so I never felt the need to upgrade them.
    My daughter is the one who used the Youtube app, so she is very disappointed.
    (Even though, she has a iMac in her room?)
    If they work with Netflix… they should support the low quality Youtube?
    This is lame.

  11. peterh_oz (@peterh_oz) - 9 years ago

    I have a 2nd gen, however I rarely use it. It is basically only for easy access to podcasts and the West Wing which I stupidly purchased via iTunes (if they remove access I’ll pirate it, seeing as I’ve already paid for it!). For most other things I simply use a browser on my PC – if anyone’s stupid enough to block a browser then more fool them. The bbrowser wirks with Netflix, Stan, Hulu, YouTube, ABC iView, SBS On-Demand, BBC and even the AFL (Aussie Rules).

    So screw you Apple – YOU are choosing not to update it, as shown by the fact that the updated sotware in 3rd-gen is still working. And nope I won’t be buying the next version of your locked-down, browserless box. For a similar price I can have a full PC in a stick, endlessly updatable.

    Apple, you won’t care, cos I’m a consumer you don’t like. I don’t worship you, I don’t queue, and I don’t have a house full iof igadgets. I do however have an iPod Classic (my 3rd and last seeing as you’ve also discontinued that), and I was, up until now, purchasing the Daily Show via iTunes. Once this device dies, or more likely you withdraw support in a future iTunes update, it is adios from me.

  12. mjchirps (@monalchirps) - 9 years ago

    mine is 3rd generation – youtube worked until 6th May, 2015 & suddenly went off thereafter ….

  13. Zeberga Munde - 9 years ago

    this is really cruel and selfish behaviour, which affect the world environment into corruption and war.