Apple Discontinues iTunes Movies and TV Shows Apps on Apple TV

Apple has officially removed the dedicated iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Shows apps from Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD with the release of tvOS 26.4. This move marks the final phase of a transition that began in 2023, consolidating all movie and TV show purchases and viewing within the Apple TV app.

The End of an Era for iTunes on Apple TV

The removal of these standalone apps, first noted by MacRumors and AppleInsider, streamlines the Apple TV experience. Users will now exclusively purchase and manage movies and TV shows through the Apple TV app. Apple began redirecting users to the Apple TV app for purchases several years ago, and the apps remained available primarily to assist customers in locating their content and accessing the iTunes Wish List.

What About the iTunes Wish List?

The iTunes Wish List feature has also been discontinued. Apple notified users last week about the impending removal and encouraged them to migrate their lists to the Apple TV app’s Watchlist. Apfelpatient notes that while wishlists were initially removed with iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2, customer feedback led to a temporary reinstatement before the current phase-out.

Further Changes in tvOS 26.4

Beyond the removal of the iTunes apps, tvOS 26.4 also introduces updates to audio settings. Dolby Atmos immersive audio has been replaced with Spatial Audio, with options to convert to Dolby Digital 5.1, select Stereo Only, or utilize Auto mode. A Continuous Audio Connection option for HDMI output has also been added.

Availability

tvOS 26.4 is currently available to developers and public beta testers, with a general release planned for spring. More information about Apple TV software updates can be found on Apple’s support website.

Key Takeaways

• The iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Shows apps have been removed from Apple TV with tvOS 26.4.
• All movie and TV show purchases and management will now occur within the Apple TV app.
• The iTunes Wish List feature is being discontinued, with users encouraged to migrate to the Apple TV app Watchlist.
• tvOS 26.4 includes updates to audio settings, including the introduction of Spatial Audio.