HBO Now App Removed From 2nd and 3rd Generation Apple TV Models

As expected, HBO removed support for its HBO Now app on second and third-generation Apple TV models over the weekend.

apple tv 2nd gen remote setup wrap steps wrap
Early last month, the company announced that it would be removing support for older ‌Apple TV‌ devices at the end of April, a decision it said was made "in order to provide the best streaming experience."

Following pushback from users, a couple of days later HBO said that it would be extending the deadline to May 15, with HBO GO to remain available for "a few additional months."

The company hoped that the extended deadline would provide people with enough time to upgrade their ‌‌Apple TV‌‌ models and otherwise prepare for the day they are removed.

Affected users are advised to try alternate ways to access content, including streaming HBO GO using another streaming device like Roku and Amazon Fire TV, using AirPlay to stream HBO GO to ‌Apple TV‌, using an HDMI cable to connect a phone, tablet, or computer to a TV, and using Chromecast to cast HBO GO from a phone, tablet, or computer to a TV.

HBO GO and HBO NOW remain functional on the newest ‌‌Apple TV‌‌ HD and ‌‌Apple TV‌‌ 4K platforms. Numerous shows and movies can also be streamed for free on HBO GO and HBO NOW, including Silicon Valley, Succession, The Wire, and more.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Tags: HBO, HBO NOW
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.5 With New Wallpaper, Screen Time Changes, Carrier Satellite Support for iPhone 13 and More

Monday May 12, 2025 10:06 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, the fifth updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 come a little over a month after Apple released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. The iOS 18.5 update has a...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

WSJ: Apple Weighing Price Hikes for iPhone 17 Lineup Without Blaming Tariffs

Monday May 12, 2025 3:36 am PDT by
Apple is considering raising prices for its upcoming iPhone 17 models set to release this fall, according to people familiar with the matter cited by The Wall Street Journal. The company reportedly aims to pair the potential price hikes with new features and design changes to justify the increased cost to consumers, rather than attributing them to U.S. tariffs on goods from China. The...
tvOS 18 Feature

Apple Releases tvOS 18.5

Monday May 12, 2025 10:01 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 18.5, the latest version of the tvOS operating system. tvOS 18.5 comes a little over a month after the launch of tvOS 18.4, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models. tvOS 18.5 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌Apple TV‌ owners who have...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.5

Monday May 12, 2025 10:10 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.5, the fifth major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched last September. macOS Sequoia 15.5 comes a little over a month after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.4. Mac users can download the ‌‌‌macOS Sequoia 15.5‌‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run ...
iOS 18

iOS 18.5 Expected This Week With These New Features

Monday May 12, 2025 7:20 am PDT by
Following more than a month of beta testing, Apple is expected to release iOS 18.5 to the general public this week. While the software update is relatively minor, it still includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones. Below, we recap everything new in iOS 18.5. Pride Wallpaper Apple recently announced its 2025 Pride Collection, including a new Apple Watch band, watch face,...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

20th Anniversary iPhone Will Be Mostly Glass With All-Screen Design

Monday May 12, 2025 2:52 am PDT by
Apple will mark the 10th anniversary of the iPhone X in 2027 by launching a mostly glass, curved iPhone without any cutouts in the display, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said the all-screen device will arrive later in 2027, suggesting a fall release. The model will be preceded by Apple's first foldable iPhone, claims the reporter....
Apple Logo Spotlight Blue

Report: Apple Preparing to Launch Mind-Control Support for iPhones

Tuesday May 13, 2025 6:18 am PDT by
Apple is planning to allow users to natively control iPhones, iPads, and other devices using brain signals later this year, The Wall Street Journal reports. The initiative involves a partnership with Synchron, a neurotechnology startup that produces an implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) device called the Stentrode. The Stentrode enables users with severe motor impairments, such as...

Top Rated Comments

cualexander Avatar
65 months ago
There could be a valid reason HBO is removing old versions of the app, like maybe they want to start using a different codec now, one that older devices couldn’t handle well due to CPU constraints. Or that the older devices provided a poor experience.

I doubt there’s any conspiracy here. Most of the time when companies make old programs reach end of life, it’s because the cost of supporting the old program is too high. Trying to fix old bugs in old programs is not a very efficient use of company time.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Techwatcher Avatar
65 months ago
It’s a video streaming app. There’s no way any version of an Apple TV can’t handle it. This was taken off for no reason.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xyz01 Avatar
65 months ago
One problem is that "everyone" expects Apple to release a new AppleTV shortly, so this is not at good time to buy a new one.

The current gen AppleTV is listed as "don't buy" on this site for exactly this reason.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Porco Avatar
65 months ago
HBO Gone
HBO Not Now

All seems a bit weird to me. It would be nice if they provided a more technical explanation... if there is one, which there may be. Possibly.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TiggrToo Avatar
65 months ago

it was taken out because HBO and apple have a licensing agreement and the fact apple wants people to buy newer apple tvs. HBO is not just removing its app from older apple tvs they have also been removing the app from many older "smart" TVs too. They don't want to support older platforms.
The 2nd gen used an A4, 3rd A5. Both 32 bit only. I suspect the lack of 64 bit processors had a huge part to do with this.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
allenvanhellen Avatar
65 months ago

it was taken out because HBO and apple have a licensing agreement and the fact apple wants people to buy newer apple tvs. HBO is not just removing its app from older apple tvs they have also been removing the app from many older "smart" TVs too. They don't want to support older platforms.
Which is no GOOD reason as far as subscribers are concerned.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)