Netflix to drop support for some Apple TV devices, here's everything you need to know

Update 06/06/24 01:32 pm (IST): In a statement to The Verge, Kumiko Hidaka, communications director at Netflix, stated “we routinely evaluate support for older devices to ensure we can deliver the best possible security experience for our members.”

Original article published on June 4, 2024 follows:

In a notice sent to some subscribers recently, Netflix announced it will be ending support for certain older Apple TV devices after July 31, 2024. The notice states that the Apple TV (2nd generation) and Apple TV (3rd generation) models will no longer be able to access and stream the Netflix app beyond that date.

This move affects the earliest Apple TV models that did not include support for the App Store or accompanying software updates to evolve the platform over time. Let’s break down exactly which devices are being impacted and what options owners have going forward.

The two Apple TV model generations that Netflix is discontinuing support for are:

Apple TV (2nd Generation)

Originally released in September 2010, the Apple TV (2nd generation) ran a customized version of iOS rather than the more open tvOS that powers modern Apple TV devices. It had a maximum output resolution of 720p and used an Apple A4 chip – the same processor as the iPhone 4. Despite its hardware limitations compared to today’s streaming devices, the 2nd generation Apple TV received software updates from Apple all the way up until May 2018 when iTunes support was finally dropped.

Apple TV (3rd Generation)

Succeeding the 2nd generation was the Apple TV (3rd generation) released in March 2012. It improved the hardware with a single-core A5 chip (same as the iPhone 4s) and maximum 1080p video output. However, the 3rd generation model still did not include an App Store or access to the wider tvOS app ecosystem. It served primarily as a channel-based media player much like the earlier Apple TV models.

Apple provided software updates for the 3rd generation Apple TV all the way until October 2022 – an impressive 10+ year support lifecycle for the hardware. Both of these generations were discontinued after the release of the Apple TV HD (4th generation) in 2015 which marked the transition to an App Store-supported platform.

In the notice, Netflix cited the reason for dropping support on these aging Apple TV models was “to ensure you maintain the best possible Netflix viewing experience.”

As streaming services continually enhance and upgrade their video players, encoding processes, and app features – keeping up support for decade-old hardware becomes increasingly difficult and holds back improving the experience for the majority of users on new devices.

Not only are the processors and video output capabilities of the 2nd and 3rd generation Apple TVs quite limited by today’s standards, but the inability to receive regular software updates from Apple means Netflix cannot optimize and evolve its app for new streaming technologies.

Essentially, Netflix has made the decision that further investing engineering resources into keeping these legacy Apple TV versions compatible is no longer worth the tradeoff of being able to advance its core streaming experience for the vast majority of subscribers using newer devices.

It’s an inevitability that streaming services will eventually need to move on from very old hardware that cannot keep pace with evolving standards and technology expectations. Netflix competitor Hulu ended support for the same pre-App Store Apple TV models back in 2020.

Yes, Netflix will stop working on Apple TV 2nd Generation and 3rd Generation models completely. In fact, you might see the Netflix icon go missing on your Apple TV after July 31, 2024, so don’t be surprised. Even Hulu subscribers were left confused with the missing icon once the company ended support for the 2nd and 3rd gen Apple TV boxes.

While some owners of the 2nd and 3rd generation Apple TV models will surely be disappointed at this news, these devices have had an incredibly long run of usable life – over 10 years for the 3rd generation launched in 2012. There are a few options available for those wanting to continue streaming Netflix:

Try AirPlay:

You might be able workaround Netflix dropping support for your Apple TV box by using AirPlay instead. If you own a Mac or iPhone, you should be able to stream Netflix on your Apple TV box once support ends.

Upgrade to a newer Apple TV model:

You might be able to score an Apple TV HD (4th gen) on websites like eBay or Amazon for less. Alternatively, you can bag the Apple TV 4K (3rd gen) for $129. While an upfront cost, these will ensure access to Netflix and all the latest streaming services/features for years to come through software updates.

Switch to another streaming device:

There are a number of non-Apple streaming devices that will continue receiving Netflix support, from Roku’s lineup of players to Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks. Many of these are quite affordable, like the $29 Roku Express 4K+ or $39 Fire TV Stick 4K.

Use a smart TV or console app:

Most modern smart TVs have a Netflix app built-in that will work just fine for streaming to the big screen. Or game consoles like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch all have Netflix apps as well.

So while losing access to those very old Apple TV models may sting for some, there are plenty of alternative streaming hardware options in 2024, including Apple’s own newer and more powerful devices in the Apple TV ecosystem.

On the Reddit r/appletv community, some users expressed frustration at Netflix’s decision, despite their Apple TV (2nd or 3rd gen) devices still functioning properly. As one commenter put it, “This is very dumb, since my Apple TV still works incredibly well.”

However, most understood the technical realities of supporting increasingly obsolete hardware and Netflix’s desire to focus engineering efforts on providing the best experience for the vast majority of subscribers using newer devices.

“If we’re talking 7+ year old devices, I can kinda accept that. I mean, if there are people still using them, it would be nice if they just let Netflix stay on them. But maybe there are practical reasons for this,” reasoned one Redditor.

There was some confusion initially from owners of the Apple TV HD (4th generation) model worrying it would also lose Netflix support, but the streaming service clarified those devices released in 2015 and later will continue to work perfectly fine.

Overall, while Netflix’s decision may frustrate a subset of Apple TV owners still clinging to very old hardware, the bulk of subscribers using reasonably modern streaming devices shouldn’t see any disruption in being able to access the popular service.