Apple Issues Bug Fix with Apple TV 4.4.1 Software Update [Updated x2]

apple tv 2010 obliqueLess than a week after releasing a significant 4.4 software update for the second-generation Apple TV, Apple has now released a 4.4.1 bug fix update for the device.

According to Apple's release notes, the update addresses an issue affecting a "small number" of units to have to connect to iTunes.

Software update: Addresses an issue that required a small number of Apple TV units to be connected to iTunes in order to complete the update.

The previous 4.4 software update had added a number of new features, including AirPlay video mirroring, Photo Stream support, movie trailers, and video content from the National Hockey League and The Wall Street Journal.

Update: Some users in our forums and elsewhere are reporting that the update has "bricked" their Apple TV units, requiring that they be connected to iTunes and restored. The update appears to have temporarily been pulled, but users should be careful in applying it when it is available.

(Thanks, Seth!)

Update 2: Apple has re-released the Apple TV 4.4.1 update, presumably addressing the issue users were experiencing with the initial version.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

iOS 26 on iPhone Feature

Here's When iOS 26 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: Out Now!]

Monday September 15, 2025 12:00 am PDT by
Update 10:06 a.m.: iOS 26 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Today's the day! Apple is about to release iOS 26, which will deliver the biggest redesign since iOS 7 and bring a range of new features and improvements to iPhones worldwide. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at last week's iPhone event that...
Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple Reportedly Plans to Launch These 10 Products in 'Coming Months'

Sunday September 14, 2025 8:45 am PDT by
Apple's annual September event is now in the rearview mirror, with the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, and AirPods Pro 3 set to launch this Friday, September 19. As always, there is more to come. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple plans to release many products in the...
iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

Apple Says Installing iOS 26 Might Impact Battery Life

Monday September 15, 2025 10:56 am PDT by
In the iOS 26 release notes, Apple is warning iPhone users that installing the new software might have a temporary impact on battery life, which is normal. A new support document explains that major iOS updates require background setup like indexing data and files for search, downloading new assets, and updating apps. Further, Apple says that new features could require more resources,...
iphone 17 lineup

iPhone 17 Models Launch on September 19 With These New Features

Friday September 12, 2025 7:58 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 lineup and ultra-thin iPhone Air in stores on Friday, September 19, and the company has already shown off the new devices at its fall event, which ran with the the tagline "Awe dropping." The iPhone 17 series brings a host of new features and enhancements. Here's a rundown of the biggest upgrades and changes: iPhone 17 Display Changes The iPhone...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 Get iOS 26 Features With New Firmware Update

Monday September 15, 2025 10:50 am PDT by
Apple today released updated firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4, introducing support for the new AirPods features that are included in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe. The firmware has a build number of 8A356, and it replaces the current 7E93 firmware. With Apple's new software updates, the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4 support better audio quality for phone calls and...
apple n1 chip

Apple's New N1 Chip in iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone Air Has a Wi-Fi 7 Limitation

Saturday September 13, 2025 10:01 am PDT by
The latest iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air models are equipped with Apple's all-new N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity. However, the chip has a Wi-Fi 7 bandwidth limitation. According to FCC documents reviewed by MacRumors, the N1 chip in all of the new iPhone models supports up to 160 MHz channel bandwidth for Wi-Fi 7, short of the...
iPhone 17 Pro Air Boxes

iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Boxes Revealed

Sunday September 14, 2025 1:36 pm PDT by
T-Mobile President Jon Freier today shared real-world photos of Apple's boxes for the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 models, which launch on Friday. Image Credit: Jon Freier Apple has typically included iPhone box renders in its product environmental reports, but it did not do so for the latest models. However, Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program page does offer some images of the boxes, ...

Top Rated Comments

ohbrilliance Avatar
182 months ago
Bricking

Pedantic alert. If the device can be restored by plugging into iTunes then the ATV was never 'bricked'. Bricking is unrecoverable save for recovery using specialised equipment.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
logandzwon Avatar
182 months ago
You're one of those "Malware vs. Virus" kind of guys, aren't you?

Thing is, unless you even know that it's possible to recover the Apple TV yourself (and connecting the Apple TV via USB to your PC isn't exactly "normal usage" like an iPhone or iPad), the device is as good as bricked.

Your one of those, "cars are only as good as their tank of gas," kind of guys, aren't you?

Thing is, unless you even know that it's possible to refill the gas tank yourself, (and opening the fuel door and gas cap isn't exactly, "normal driving,") the car is as good as junked.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macpeach55 Avatar
182 months ago
"Software update: Addresses an issue that required a small number of Apple TV units to be connected to iTunes in order to complete the update."

Well, I guess in a way they did address the issue; instead of a small number, now a LARGE number of people have to connect to iTunes!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ubestbsteppin Avatar
182 months ago
I thought Aple pulled only the 4.4.1 update. I'm still running 4.3 and it says I'm up to date. Guess they pulled the 4.4 and the 4.4.1, anyone else seeing this?

Yes, same problem here.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kornyboy Avatar
182 months ago
I thought Aple pulled only the 4.4.1 update. I'm still running 4.3 and it says I'm up to date. Guess they pulled the 4.4 and the 4.4.1, anyone else seeing this?

I'm getting the same thing.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wovel Avatar
182 months ago
Your one of those, "cars are only as good as their tank of gas," kind of guys, aren't you?

Thing is, unless you even know that it's possible to refill the gas tank yourself, (and opening the fuel door and gas cap isn't exactly, "normal driving,") the car is as good as junked.
Filling the gas tank is a normal procedure, most if not all drivers do it frequently, and it is covered in the manual in the glove box.

I am not required to contact Ford technical support to figure out what to do when my car runs out of ga. (Or read the forums).

----------

My Apple TV is running 4.4 firmware, and it's working fine. Although NHL Gamecenter froze a couple times during the Habs/Sabres game last night. I don't know if there was a problem with the feed or a ATV/internet issue.

Both of mine are to. I think I will avoid the update menu for a bit.

----------

Filling the gas tank is a normal procedure, most if not all drivers do it frequently, and it is covered in the manual in the glove box.

I am not required to contact Ford technical support to figure out what to do when my car runs out of ga. (Or read the forums).

----------



Both of mine are to. I think I will avoid the update menu for a bit.

The manual does actually mention the recovery procedure :) http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/Apple_TV_2nd_gen_Setup_Guide.pdf


It does require a micro-USB cable, not included.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)