Apple TV Doesn’t Open Third Party Apps, How-To Fix

Several users using the Apple TV 4 have found that their Apple TV doesn’t open third party apps. The unit works fine with Apple apps and they are able to watch movies etc using the App store. The problem happens only when trying to access third party apps. For example, trying to open Netflix or Hulu makes the screen flicker with a sound alert at the end and no luck in opening the app.

If you are using the Apple TV 4 and running tvOS 10.1 or higher, you can try the following steps to fix this issue. These are some workarounds that seem to be working for many users.

RELATED:

• 2018 Guide to Cord cutting via Apple TV
• Apple TV and Dolby Altmos, A complete History and where Apple TV may be headed
• Exclusive:  Apple Planning Standalone Streaming Service.

Three Tips to Help Fix Apple TV Issue with Third Party Apps

Tip # 1. Log into the tv app store and simply download any free app. Once you have downloaded the free app, test out Netflix or hulu or any other third party app that you were having problems with. For some weird reason, downloading a free app from the store resolves the problem around existing third party apps not working.

Tip # 2. If you didn’t have success with the previous step, try to clear out the apps and try again. In order to clear the third party apps, press the HOME button to return to the Home screen. Once here, double press the home button and you will be able to see all the opened third party apps by scrolling left or right. Force quit the opened apps by swiping up. Once you have cleared the apps, press the HOME button to return to the home screen and then try re-launching the third party app.

Tip # 2 . When in doubt, Reset all Settings is the best course of action that you can take. Using your Siri remote, tap on Settings > System > Reset and Update. This will reset your Apple TV to factory settings and apply any pending updates. You will need to be connected to the internet in order for the updates to work. Once the reset process has finished, you will need to set up your Apple TV and download any previously purchased apps from the app store.

We hope that these simple tips were helpful in fixing this weird problem with your Apple TV. The first tip around downloading the free app works most of the time, even in tvOS 10.

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.