HBO Now App Removed From 2nd and 3rd Generation Apple TV Models - MacRumors
Skip to Content

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

by

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)
Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

Popular Stories

General visionOS watchOS and tvOS Betas Feature Redux

Apple Releases Fifth watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6 and visionOS 26.6 Betas

Monday July 13, 2026 10:27 am PDT by
Apple today provided developers with the fifth betas of upcoming watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6, and visionOS 26.6 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple seeded the fourth betas. The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required. There's no word on what's in the...
Read Full Article • 5 comments
tvOS 27 Feature

Apple Seeds tvOS 27 Beta 4 to Developers

Monday July 20, 2026 10:01 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of tvOS 27 to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after Apple released the third beta. The beta can be downloaded and installed through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A free developer account is required. tvOS 27 has few new features compared to the other 27 software updates, but it does add a redesigned Podcasts app,...
Read Full Article • 12 comments
watchos 27

tvOS 27 and watchOS 27 Now Available to Public Beta Testers

Monday July 13, 2026 1:38 pm PDT by
Apple today released the first public betas of tvOS 27 and watchOS 27, giving Apple TV and Apple Watch users a chance to try the new software ahead of its fall launch. There's also a new HomePod Software 27 beta for the HomePod and HomePod mini. You can sign up for Apple's public beta testing program on the beta website, and then download the updates through the Settings app on each device. ...
Read Full Article • 15 comments

Top Rated Comments

C
cualexander
81 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)
X
xyz01
81 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)
Techwatcher Avatar
Techwatcher
81 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)
Porco Avatar
Porco
81 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)
T
TiggrToo
81 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)
A
allenvanhellen
81 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)
Read All Comments