Buying a 3rd gen Apple TV in 2024: Don't do it!

Another video after a long break! I bought a 3rd gen Apple TV (A1427) for my bedroom setup, let's see if it is still usable in 2023!
Please consider liking this video and subscribing to my channel :)
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[@crow610]

I have been looking for a used Apple TV for the same purpose and glad I saw this video.

[@jarodcheves922]

Hella informative amigo I appreciate you going thru the struggle so I don’t have to

[@FTWinnick]

Wow thanks for this video. I was considering an old ATV for a TV in my home gym, but not I'm definitely not getting it.

[@MestaMusic]

Gayet guzel ve detayli aciklamissin tesekkur ederim murat

[@AH-bf4md]

I just upgraded from a third Gen Apple TV to a 4K Apple TV after a decade! Over the years I lost a lot of a ton of Apps. I wholeheartedly concur with your opinion

[@Doyouvalue]

I just got a 2nd and 3rd gen for free, came with one remote and hopes to keep the 3rd gen I can’t even get passed the login and it’s meant to have airplay support unlike the 2nd gen. I could just stream off it but honestly I might just flip them. Got a Roku express 4K anyways that does the job as I only got apple to try Apple TV and it’s on most third party streaming devices

[@Doyouvalue]

I have the 4K Gen 3 pack from Telus back in around 2020 after not knowing about Apple TV or wifi streaming service at all but Netflix in the past few years with its big crazy subscription percentage uplift, around the time stranger things was out, was the first time I stopped using cable heck I still had a tube tv in 2016. And I’m from AB, Canada! My apologies as I just ended up ranting.

[@pundlikgawade5143]

Thanks for the video. Plan and simple to the point. Great work, really help to to take decision.

[@Neilveg]

My 2013 ATV still has KZbin & all the other services I use. Will definitely upgrade to a 4k when I upgrade my TV. Happy that Apple have kept supporting this product for at least 11 years 👍🏻

[@WhatNowTech]

Great to hear, and thanks for sharing!

[@Ledqwerty]

yep, i bought mine once it was brand new and use it quite some years, everything was fine, but in 2021it lost youtube, and after that netflix and prime video stopped working as they should, so at the end of 2021 i bought an apple tv 4th gen and it works perfect and still get updates, as for my thid gen i still use it in my living room for airplay with my phone or iPad, but you can´t really do much more with it today, good video btw

[@nflfatboy7668]

Ur dumb I have the same exact one and Netflix works perfectly

[@jaywongtv8151]

still using my 3rd gen to play netflix..and my apple tv supports wifi also..the only thing was remove was the youtube app.

[@bartoszradwanski7096]

Hi maybe you will know something i have problem in loggin into that device and also idk why i cant upgrade it "try again later". What's your system version?

[@nathanielalvarez2380]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@WhatNowTech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pauljoseph2400]

I just bought a new Apple TV HD (2021) for 80.00. It's fine for me since I have wireless internet that doesn't support 4K streaming. This is my first Apple device and I was curious how long they provide software updates. This model was introduced in 2015 and sold through 2022, so hopefully they will provide updates for a few years yet.

[@WileyO]

That’s what I want where from I can only find for 100 bucks

[@rgisassi]

I only need to airplay my ipad onto a big screen TV when I walk into the room. Seems like this is still a viable option for a meeting or classroom environment.

[@AshtonGodbout]

And airplay will be great when it become the Old and apps don’t work simply just stream off your phone etc and it’ll work like any new gen with lower resolution which would be the only gripe, I use a Roku and it’s the same as an Apple TV without iPhone/Apple apps and it supports airplay so it doesn’t really matter as I can just stream from my phone instead lol

[@logo592012]

What if I got one for 4$ is it a good deal then ?

[@hobgoblin4614]

I went to Walmart and they have a Google TV box called Onn TV. It's only $20 and the specs are far ahead of the Apple TV 3G. Even comes with HDMI and charging cables. Well worth it for $20 and its brand new so (unless you want to) you don't have to root it, etc.

[@BarcelonasHotCrowd]

They make their money from YOU! You are the product, you are freely giving them ALL of your data and they sell it to the highest bidder! Nothing in life in business is really cheap!

[@cengizpolat3588]

Thanks

[@ariothegamer5]

I have the google tv and love ittt

[@frostjack187]

Glad I watched this video before buying!! Curious what app is the AirPlay client that you mentioned at 7:18 on Chromecast? Planning to buy the Chromecast for my 12 year old LED tv

[@jannis2452]

That's AirScreen, does also work on FireTV and Android TVs. Works okay, but you can feel a little latency, just try it out

[@zeh_1273]

It wold be nice if Apple unlocks those old devices to alternative firmwares. The ATV3 could be repurposed to a dedicated retro gaming console, an audiophile music server with optical audio output, a tiny server for lightweight services, an Airplay and chromecast server and so on. Of course Apple will never do it though. ;-/ The ATV1 with that really obsolete hardware can do many of these above features However, ATV3 with stock software still runs NetFlix in FullHD better than cheap android boxes and streams airplay...as noted on the video, still ok for meeting or classrooms if bought really cheap.

[@LennyQUMFIF]

For ATV3, is there a way to have the Playback HUD, kind of like on the recent Apple TVs with the developer settings, for it to show stuff like Information of the audio, video and codecs?

[@qntonkaz1]

Thanks!

[@anonanon3126]

Bought Apple tv 3rd gen for £10 today from Cex uk. Netflix and Amazon Prime both work perfectly. Absolute bargain and came with a hdmi cable too

[@juicetimer]

my mum got one for £10 recently at a charity shop and it's great for her to watch Netflix on

[@be236]

Without App Store or KZbin on this 3rd gen device, almost makes it useless to me .. .as I dont plan to use AirPlay.

[@Michaelltjj]

With which Apple TV version can you use the app store?

[@Doyouvalue]

I have 4th gen and it works fine still every app, in Canada it's like 3 years old usage now no problems remote dies a bit quick ​@@Michaelltjj

[@raveltammeleht6278]

I just got the same device. It's a shame that apple doesn't support it anymore. Since it's comfortable and intuitive for what it is. I was thinking maybe it could do some more. Seemed like a perfect lightweight gaming platform. It's not powerfull by any means, but back in the day Half Life 2 was running on the same spec hardware, while windows was in the background. Now fast forward to today, the apple tv has a very minimalistic user interface I'm sure it could run some games.

[@kjriwoutube]

So I saw one of these for $10 on marketplace I only want it for airplay photos to tv would this be fine ?

[@WhatNowTech]

It should work without issues!

[@High89OO]

For the bluetooth setup thing by "touch this apple tv" they actually mean it, you have to put your phone on top it works with my ios 17 ipad

[@RAJAKUMAR-dd3if]

Very useful video 2023

[@jorgefierro4791]

Got an Apple TV 3Rd gen from my grandma and unfortunately can’t use AirPlay, only Amazon prime.

[@westmidlandsbusspotter]

I got two of them for free today, as i collect Apple Products but i’m planning to keep them in my Apple Device drawer

[@jonrector2091]

If there is no App Store than how do I add new apps to the Home Screen for me to use? For an example, if I want Prime video on my 3rd generation Apple TV, how do I accomplish this?

[@alexxxxxxx]

Its preinstalled lol

[@st-lucia]

Does the other devices, like Chromecast or Roku, support AirPlay? I really need that for a good price! Tks

[@WhatNowTech]

It does support AirPlay!

[@JoeCole_social]

Thanks for the video. I have a unique situation where I must be off-line to stream videos, and as you said, streaming, local videos from your phone does appear to work. I’m hoping the remote controls like pause work with low latency as the current chrome cast I use is pretty laggy.

[@WhatNowTech]

Thanks for your comment :) The lag is acceptable.

[@akumass1]

Can I use a A1469 with Apple Fitness+ to do workouts on tv not phone or iPad screen?

[@margauxj-broussel9186]

good question!

[@Kam3lion]

Thanks. This helped :)

[@WhatNowTech]

I'm glad! Happy new year!

[@hayushiii]

are you able to use your phone as a remote? i lost mine and im trying its just not working. the furthest i got to setting it up was 2:14

[@byzaha1238]

If it isn't already in your control centre, go to settings>control centre and add it there.

[@ashishjoshuakadam]

Has Airplay stopped working on these devices? I can't use it on my ATV3 now.

[@MrSebasHD]

Same, found something?

[@mytest1237]

will this work if I just want something simple to extend my macbook pro desktop? I also have a very old macbook pro 2012

[@NijiDash]

If your MacBook Pro supports AirPlay, then this will indeed work. Just bought this for 15 euros and works fine using AirPlay with my MacBook Air M1.

[@critical-chris]

Thanks for the video. What exactly are you talking about when you say that Chromecast includes an Airplay Client?

[@WhatNowTech]

Sorry for the late reply. There is an app called AirScreen that will allow you to cast media from your iPhone/MacBook through AirPlay.

[@critical-chris]

@@WhatNowTech thanks for your reply. Excuse my ignorance, but why does AirScreen mean that Chromecast includes an Airplay client?

[@adrian-uu6qt]

My AirPlay is not working on gen3 love it

[@lumberjaxx3335]

I just bought an ATV3, as is wanted to have a music hub to my stereo Amp to listen to music without turning the TV on. I can still stresm Netflix from my phone over the ATV3 to have the picture on the TV (via HDMI) and the sound over the optical output to the amp. Thats why i did not want any new ATV, as i cannot stresm music withour turning the tv on

[@qingcopi1363]

I dont have optical audio device,so I buy a hdmi convertor to get a 3.5mm audio source , stream to my old speakers(fujitsu),just listen to the novel voice for sleeping.

[@S1ick10292]

I use this in my car for airplay😂😂😂

[@GivThmHal]

Please explain bro? Iv been trying to find how I can watch tv/youtube in my bmw for ages..

[@sirvidia]

i bought one of these and can't connect to it with Airplay at all. I just wanted to use it as an Airplay receiver

[@a.d.sukumar3995]

Apple music works?

[@garciareyes9167]

How did you set it up manually? It doesn’t pop up under my Bluetooth. Also can I use without the remote or do I need the remote?

[@WhatNowTech]

You need the remote to set it up manually.

[@jaimecastillo9711]

Did you try jailbreaking the device? If so, what route did you take and what was your outcome. Thank you in advance!

[@WhatNowTech]

Thanks for watching! I wanted to jailbreak it, but the process was too complicated and I didn't think it was worth it.

[@Gavinkhan777]

@@WhatNowTech hey it’s not your fault or anything. It ain’t complicated. Actually, it was just impossible through how the structure of the device is made.

[@DSTEPPA]

Netflix still works for me 😊

[@WhatNowTech]

I'm glad!

[@carlel121]

Which one do you recommend in 2024? What’s the oldest I should get?

[@user-cy3rg9zd4j]

can you attach ssd/hdd with this and play video/audio?

[@WhatNowTech]

I don't think so. The only thing you can do is to add a network drive.

[@anonymous-xy8wc]

Ok so this video need an update as everything is actually working as of today. I plugged in my old Apple TV3, logged in to Netflix directly through the app and no problems. I even updated to latest software, same no issues whatsoever. I guess either Apple or Netflix has done something to make it work. KZbin working flawlessly as well when casting from from an iPhone. One thing though i’d like to add is that I don’t use automatic tome zone, I have it off and then just add nearest city, I doubt that was ever what caused the issue however if it still doesn’t work for people that might be worth looking at.

[@WhatNowTech]

I'm glad it works for you!

[@anonymous-xy8wc]

@@WhatNowTech would be interesting to see if the problem still persists to others. might be working for me due to a new current fix from netflix or apple. as mentioned I tried just recently and had no issues with it

[@user-jg4qv2cy1o]

Why i cant find youtube and app store?

[@WhatNowTech]

As I mentioned in the video, Apple removed KZbin support from older Apple TVs a while ago.

[@alexbrjg]

i found one for 11$ working perfectly should i buy it?

[@WhatNowTech]

If you can find a use case for it why not? :)

[@tonymack274]

Does it have an internet browser

[@WhatNowTech]

No it does not!

[@eduardoK995]

Does anyone know if there's a jailbreak for this that lets you side load apps 😐 I just want to use it to play gameboy games on my tv lol

[@WhatNowTech]

I tried this too but jailbreaking gets quite tricky for some of the 3rd gen Apple TVs.

[@SPotter1973]

Video starts at 1:48

[@Xanderoby]

I've been with one since 2012, iCloud photos, Netflix and Prime still works. Until 2020 with iOS 12 made me from HomeKit Hub, then iOS 13 broke compatibility even though officially the ATV3 was still supported. It cost 99€ as new, it has been working for 11 years together with the AirPort Express, AirPlay is still a valid reason to use it: but are you really complaining? It's an old product and no longer supported, there's no point in complaining about it.

[@Xanderoby]

It was the least expensive Apple TV in history and the longest-lived: 109€ (but I remember paying her 99 €), 10 years and still worked as a HomeKit Hub despite being born before HomeKit, the only device that comes close to it as a feature was HomePod mini (also a HomeKit Hub) which cost up to a few days ago 99€, while now cista 109€ despite being the same previous hw, but being an audio player is strongly limited.

[@machoneboard]

I am complaining. When they are sold, they don’t tell you it will be crap in 10 years.

[@Xanderoby]

​@@machoneboard 10 years? I purchased 3 NEW Apple Watch Editions in 2021, never opened the box: dead batteries in 3~5 years. The latest iPhones? 89% battery in one year. Want to see Apple's shitty products? They are the ones currently on sale. The previous ones lasted decades, the current ones do not reach the two-year period.

[@gilvillamor5066]

it doesnt work with new wifi now

[@petarpetrovic257]

Mine only has netflix and icloud photos. Wataheeeel?

[@WhatNowTech]

Have you done a factory reset? I don't use mine anymore as I got a Chromecast, but I can check it out again if you don't have access to any other apps :)

[@petarpetrovic257]

@@WhatNowTech they were disabled. I have them now but most of them don work. But netflix is in fullhd which is great compared ro cheap android tv boxes. I also have chromecast but chromecast kinda anoys me

[@OstiaMecago]

If u Jailbreak it probably would have some use

[@Cindery936]

Actually, the Bluetooth setup is a lie. I literally just did it, however it’s very finicky. It’s a pop up that says “set up Apple TV?”

[@mehmetdogandogan1342]

I can’t use AirPlay anyone has any idea why

[@GabeSlumpsBks]

Dame did you figure it out

[@mehmetdogandogan1342]

@@GabeSlumpsBks yeah it tooks a while like 2 or 3 days every single time i reboot atv. Only option is wait until it wants to connect.

[@djhpdell]

I currently own one of this. I bought back in 2013, 10 years laters, it has become useless

[@sigma_799]

why not use a smart tv instead?

[@AshtonGodbout]

Most don’t have 3k to buy One, he himself said he had a projector so he just needed something to stream movies besides his laptop, I honestly prefer smart tv but they are Built so cheap today that I like sticking with older tech and just modifying it, I have a 32” 1080p Samsung tv from 2011 and it looks fine today for basic use it’s not smart so I just got a Roku which allows Apple + sub if I wanted it but it basically plays anything, and it’s future proof as you can mirror your phone or smart device when apps become unusable.

[@revirizmit12]

👍👍

[@fakhrik]

The Turkish accent was screaming at me

[@muhammadtaha6515]

bro i doesn't setup like that you have to touch the iphone to apple tv bro its literally written on it tried it and it works but most of the time it doesn't

[@WhatNowTech]

Thank you for your comment. I tried setting it up with my iPhone but it didn't work :)

[@BarcelonasHotCrowd]

In my honest opinion, just save up and buy the brand new Apple TV 4K. Buy a Fire stick and you are bombarded with adverts and your data is collected. At the end of the day, you are paying THE SAME amount each month for Netflix etc whether you stream it from a device that gives you the best user experience or from one that sucks. The Apple TV is an investment. Beautiful experience for five+ years and then buy a new one and give that one to one of your friends! :)

[@crow610]

It’s not worth the price given he doesn’t need 4K video.

[@BARUHMAN130778]

I bought one for 10 bucks right now. It’s just a junk no iCloud no streaming nothing working.

[@dannyfox1449]

Bro this is not 3th generation.

[@machoneboard]

Built in obsolescence. We should fight this. We are promised constant upgrades and improvements and we get something much less than this.

[@tgvinfinite2607]

not for 11+ years lmao??

[@jerbear7952]

What are you prepared to do about

[@Apple2gs]

That's why I'm glad I returned my 3rd Gen AppleTV back in 2013, it would be a brick and useless now in 2023. By contrast, my Apple IIe from 1983 still works the same as it did 40 years later in 2023! (in fact better, since I've expanded it with SCSI capabilities, sound card, clock, hardisk and other goodies plus "Total Replay"). Apple cannot remotely turn it off or cripple it.

[@opabl]

i cant airplay to this apple tv

[@GabeSlumpsBks]

Me neither did you ever figure it out?

[@opabl]

Nope

[@GabeSlumpsBks]

@@opabl so I was able To figure it out by fixing the “activation” issue which failed if you look that up it should fix to be able To at least AirPlay but that’s about it. Pretty garbage

[@opabl]

@@GabeSlumpsBks hi. I tried logging into iCloud by putting the 6 digit code at the end of the password … many other things. Could you point me in the right direction? AirPlay is all I need from this !!!!

[@tolgadlawtv7100]

Got the same issue, anyone can help???

[@BM24DK]

Not to be rude but why would anyone be interested in buying a 10 year TV device? Obviously features are gonna be lacking or out of date.

[@WhatNowTech]

That's a fair question. Because they cost less than a Chromecast or a Fire Stick. Well, that's why I bought one in the first place :) Well I should have done my research before buying one.

[@SOFFtv]

Well the 3rd gen apple tv was officially sold up until 2016 and the last update to its firmware was may 2022- When the KZbin app was removed from 3rd gen, airplay was given as the reason by Apple that this wasnt a big deal for 3rd gen users. to remove airplay support now on the iOS side (ios 16+ no airplay support) by way of firmware update is pretty shady.

[@auriuman78]

I personally wouldn't buy one but this is helpful in the situation that you might come across one free.

[@Jdjfbficjenenwk3736]

@@SOFFtv wait you can’t use screen mirroring anymore on 3rd gen apple tv if your iphone is on ios 16+?

[@falcongunner33]

Not necessarily. Look at a 10 year old phone. It’s slower but at the end of the day can still do most of the same things modern phones can. I fly drones for a living and sometimes use a 10 year old Phantom that takes great 4k video. Old tech doesn’t necessarily mean obsolete tech, especially when it can be had for a bargain but this Apple TV is an especially bad example of a pretty unusable device.

[@kevinley8321]

yeah, but who wants to pay seventy dollars a month for google tv?

[@marshkid1]

mirroring apps suck. Get a newer apple tv if you use apple products.

[@geobyjustin]

AirPlay does not work

[@tolgadlawtv7100]

Got the same issue

[@jesterwaterwizard2917]

Me too , all of a sudden too

[@LiL_Vizzy]

Same, I have a Apple TV 2nd gen and airplay works just fine on it but my bedroom one that’s a Apple TV 3rd gen doesn’t work with airplay

[@Xanduur]

You’ve got the names wrong. This is the actual third generation Apple TV. Sorry you had to be the guy to learn the hard way. I actually like the third generation model, but you don’t get control over the apps that are loaded on it.

[@WhatNowTech]

Thanks for your comment. You are technically correct. But if someone sees a 3rd gen Apple TV on Facebook Marketplace and googles "3rd gen Apple TV" this isn't what they are going to see. They are instead going to see the 4K model and get confused.

[@scalpeldude]

lol 554 54

[@erickarevalo9158]

What a useless device 😂

[@OurNotSoSeriousLife]

That's why apple sucks.

[@steinerbtw]

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