New Apple TV 4K users complain of missing 4K content

Apple Tv 4k 2021 Setup
Apple Tv 4k 2021 Setup (Image credit: Rene Ritchie)

What you need to know

  • Some new Apple TV users are seeing some wonky content labels on third-party apps.
  • Users have noted that content that is definitely available in 4K is only being labeled as HD.
  • It doesn't seem clear whether the content being displayed is in the correct format or not.

A new report says users of the new Apple TV 4K (2021) are seeing content incorrectly labeled on their devices, but that it's unclear if it is being played in the right format.

From 9to5Mac:

Some users have noticed that on the new Apple TV 4K, their TV shows and movies do not appear to be listed as 4K, instead showing as HD. This applies to third-party apps like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+, as well as iTunes content through the standalone iTunes Movies and TV Shows apps.The primary Apple TV app appears to be unaffected and correctly labels all 4K content as 4K …

Apparently, users have tried to swap HDMI cables to no avail, but as the report notes the most confusing part is it's basically impossible to tell whether the content is being displayed in the correct format. If it is, then this would just be a UI bug, if not it could be more serious.

The report says the problem is evident in both tvOS 14.6 and the new 14.7 beta, Apple is reportedly aware of the problem.

The new Apple TV 4K (2021) delivers 4K HDR content in 60 FPS thanks to its new A12 Bionic chip. It also has some nifty upgrades in the form of ARC audio and a brand new Siri remote that was desperately in need of a revamp. Here are some of the best Apple TV deals available right now.

Stephen Warwick
News Editor

Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design. Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9