Apple TV 4K Hits a YouTube Problem as New Owners Set It Up
YouTube Shows Error Screens
As the first new Apple TV 4K units reached owners, some users encountered trouble when launching YouTube. One version of the problem displayed a black screen, a QR code and a notice that the service was not yet available on the device.
Other users could access the app, but saw a transparent red strip at the bottom. It said the YouTube app was approved only for device testing, not production use.
Update Did Not Fix Every Case
The tvOS 27.2 software update, followed by a reboot, did not resolve the problem for The Verge’s Tom Warren. He also had to delete and reinstall YouTube before it worked.
That experience indicates the update and restart were not sufficient for every affected device. The report does not say how many owners experienced the issue.
A Strong Player With a Cost
In his review, The Verge’s John Higgins described the new Apple TV 4K as one of the strongest streaming devices available. He also said it costs more than other streaming boxes.
The YouTube trouble emerged as the new hardware arrived with an app issue affecting access to the video service. The report offered no further details about the cause or how broadly the problem spread.
Key points
- Some new Apple TV 4K owners saw YouTube error screens or a red testing notice.
- Tom Warren needed to reinstall YouTube after updating tvOS 27.2 and rebooting.
- John Higgins praised the device but said it was expensive compared with other streaming boxes.