Netflix will soon stop supporting second and third generation Apple TV devices. This news comes from a recent email that was sent to users informing them of the change.
There seems to be some confusion online about whether this means the app will no longer work or if the company will simply stop updating the software. However, the platform's email apparently implies the latter. And according to a Netflix Help Center page, it's a complete shutdown as the service will no longer be available after July 31, 2024.
The company says it's ending support to ensure the “best possible Netflix viewing experience” and we think that's probably because the hardware is quite old. The second-generation Apple TV came out 13 years ago, at the time of this writing, and Apple even considers it and the third-generation model “old products.”
Both the second and third generation Apple TVs predate the launch of tvOS and do not have access to the App Store. Instead, as 9To5Mac points out, the hardware launched with a set of “pre-installed apps.”
Over the years, other services have stopped supporting the first Apple TV hardware. Google pulled the plug on the YouTube app in 2021 and Crunchyroll did the same a couple of years ago. If you think about it, it's surprising that Netflix has stuck around for so long when so many of its contemporaries are already gone.
It's time for an update
All models released after the third generation, such as Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K, are not affected by this decision. Which means you can continue watching Netflix without any problems. Older screens will still work, albeit in a limited capacity, without Netflix or other apps.
So if you've been considering upgrading, now is a good time to do it. Newer Apple TV 4K models have access to a full App Store and a Siri remote. Alternatively, Roku Streaming devices give you access to Netflix and other services, and at the moment there are great deals on the necessary hardware.
Of course, you'll need a TV along with a Roku box or any other vaporizer. So for recommendations, check out TechRadar's list of the best TVs for 2024.
