Cannot Download Apps on Apple TV, How-To

With the release of the latest tvOS, a lot of the issues faced with App store download are now a thing of the past. In its aim to continue improving upon the operating system, Apple releases regular updates. Some of the issues experienced by users are still basic in nature and can happen to any Apple TV user. This is especially true when it comes to challenges faced while trying to download Apps for your Apple TV.

The Symptoms

When you try to download the apps, the App would show up on the home screen but it shows up as a gray box and freezes. Users have also complained about their experience with the Netflix App, especially on the Apple TV 4. This is one of the most commonly used apps. After entering the credentials for the App, it would show a spinning circle and then freeze.

If you are experiencing any of these issues, here are a few tips for you to try in order to address these issues.

Netflix App Freezing on Apple TV

In order to address the Netflix issue, we suggest that you try to delete the app first. You can delete the App from the home screen or go to Settings > General > Manage Storage. A list of all the apps that you have installed on your Apple TV Gen 4 along with the storage they use will be visible here. Choose the trash icon for the Netflix app and proceed to delete the App. The App and all of its relevant data will be removed from your unit.

Once you have deleted the App and its associated data, please re-install the Netflix app and give it a try. It is also a good idea to do a speed test for your Apple TV to ensure that you are getting the right band width for watching high-quality streaming content. If your speed is below standard, you can try to change the DNS settings on your Apple TV and point it to the public Google DNS services.

In order to speed up the bandwidth associated with your Apple TV, Please go to Settings > General > Network. Select Wireless or Ethernet network based on your configuration and then go to Configure DNS and choose Manual. Type in 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as the primary and secondary DNS addresses and confirm your setting. Perform a speed test and check if it increases the bandwidth for your unit.

Cannot Download Apps from the App Store

If you are having problems downloading any type of apps on an intermittent basis, your best bet is to restore your Apple tv to factory settings and then reinstall all the Apps.

In order to restore your Apple TV to factory settings on the 4^th Gen TV unit

1. Select Settings > System > Reset
2. Select Restore to return your Apple TV to its factory settings. Your Apple TV will also download and install any software updates. You need an Internet connection

The reset or restore process might take some time. Keep your Apple TV plugged into power until it’s complete. Once the restore is complete, you can download all your purchased apps again by opening the app store and selecting purchased. You may have to try the restore process a couple of times in order for it to work.

Good Luck and please feel free to share your comments and your tips.

SK( Managing Editor )

Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.

Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.

In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.