Apple Releases Apple TV Software 4.4.2 to Resolve Updating Issues

MacRumors · Oct 24, 2011

Earlier this month, Apple released Apple TV software version 4.4, adding a number of new features to the set-top box including Photo Stream support, AirPlay mirroring, and NHL and Wall Street Journal content. The update was not without its issues, however, as a number of users reported that the update temporarily bricked their devices, requiring that they be connected to iTunes with a micro USB cable that is not included with the device.

Less than a week later, Apple released version 4.4.1 of the Apple TV software to address some of those previous issues, but the new update was also met with complaints of Apple TVs needing to be connected to iTunes to restore. Apple quickly pulled the update and re-released it a day later, presumably fixing the issues.

Apple has now released yet another software update for the Apple TV, pushing out version 4.4.2 today to hopefully resolve the issues once and for all. Apple details some of the issues in a support document addressing the update.

Apple TV devices with software version 4.4 and 4.4.1 have an issue with updating software to later versions. The recommended way to resolve this is go to Settings -> General -> Reset -> Reset All Settings, prior to updating. Note: If you apply the software update without resetting all settings first, the updater will reset the settings for you.

Once the Apple TV has been reset, you can then successfully update to the latest software by going to Settings -> General -> Update Software.

We recognize that this is an inconvenience and apologize.

The $99 Apple TV set-top box offers access to a wide variety of media sources and features, including TV and movie content from the iTunes Store, Netflix streaming, sports content, AirPlay streaming, and iCloud integration. The company is also set to be working on an actual connected television set, with those rumors receiving significant attention in recent days.

Article Link: Apple Releases Apple TV Software 4.4.2 to Resolve Updating Issues

Holyghost · Oct 24, 2011

4.4.2 update asks me to connect to iTunes..

Just updated to 4.4.2 and my AppleTV2 is demanding I plug it into iTunes. Glad it fixed that issue....

kainjow · Oct 24, 2011

Was sitting here waiting for it to finish updating, then I hear "WELCOME TO APPLE TV" blasting from my speakers.

Apple please turn off that automatic speaking. Almost gave me a heart attack.

johnnymg · Oct 24, 2011

Updated with no issues.

kiljoy616 · Oct 24, 2011

Take your time Apple, lets get it right the first time. I don't want to think that Steve baby is going to become Microsoft bloatware.

Cinematographer · Oct 25, 2011

Never had a problem with 4.4 in the first place. But glad they fixed it for those who had.

samh004 · Oct 25, 2011

johnnymg said:
Updated with no issues.

Same.

Hate having to enter all the information (like joining the network) through the cluggy interface again though.

Cinematographer said:
Never had a problem with 4.4 in the first place. But glad they fixed it for those who had.

AirPlay doesnt work very well for me, but there were no issues otherwise.

rotlex · Oct 25, 2011

Update went off just fine, but JEEZ, I hate having to renter all my info, network, netflix, .mac account etc. all over again. Why can't it somehow save that info somewhere.

jaw04005 · Oct 25, 2011

rotlex said:
Update went off just fine, but JEEZ, I hate having to renter all my info, network, netflix, .mac account etc. all over again. Why can't it somehow save that info somewhere.

Like iCloud perhaps? Hopefully, it's coming.

Billy Boo Bob · Oct 25, 2011

Guess I'll still hold at 4.4 until this all gets ironed out. No need for anything added to .1 or .2 as far as I can see.

----------

rotlex said:
Update went off just fine, but JEEZ, I hate having to renter all my info, network, netflix, .mac account etc. all over again. Why can't it somehow save that info somewhere.

You'd think they'd have a remote type app for the Mac (to use a real keyboard), or better yet, allow all of this data to be entered and stored in iTunes to transfer over once you connect it up (and to make changes after the fact).

7o7munoz7o7 · Oct 25, 2011

samh004 said:
Same.

Hate having to enter all the information (like joining the network) through the cluggy interface again though.

AirPlay doesnt work very well for me, but there were no issues otherwise.

just get the Remote app for your iPhone/iPod touch/iPad and use the keyboard from there. I dont even know where my aluminum remote is anymore, because the Remote app is so good and works really well. I couldn't stand entering in text with the included remote

----------

Billy Boo Bob said:
Guess I'll still hold at 4.4 until this all gets ironed out. No need for anything added to .1 or .2 as far as I can see.

----------

You'd think they'd have a remote type app for the Mac (to use a real keyboard), or better yet, allow all of this data to be entered and stored in iTunes to transfer over once you connect it up (and to make changes after the fact).

there is the Remote app from Apple that is available for iPhone/iPod touch/iPad works really really good. Not really practical to have an App for the computer to type for your Apple TV since most of the time they arent in the same room. And the point of the 2nd gen was that you didnt need to sit down in front of your computer to set it up and get it running. iOS is the way to go!

Chupa Chupa · Oct 25, 2011

kiljoy616 said:
Take your time Apple, lets get it right the first time. I don't want to think that Steve baby is going to become Microsoft bloatware.

Not sure how a glitch (pretty serious one, I'll give you that) equals bloatware. AppleTV features are pretty slim. Also Apple released plenty of buggy s/w (and OSes) when Jobs was in charge. It's embarrassing but everything designed by humans is falible. Let's not be so hypercritical.

rotlex said:
Update went off just fine, but JEEZ, I hate having to renter all my info, network, netflix, .mac account etc. all over again. Why can't it somehow save that info somewhere.

It does a reset. I would not want the AppleTV itself to save personal data. Think about it -- when you eventually sell, give away, or toss your AppleTV and reset it do you want others to be able to access this hard "saved" data? I'm guessing not. Reentering is a PITA, but safer than having it saved to a chip.

But it would be a nice feature if iCloud could store your encrypted info and then feed it to iCloud after an install. That way you'd only have to enter one UID/PW.

LaCosta · Oct 25, 2011

If steve jobs indicated he finally cracked TV simplication and appears Apple is headed towards the tv frontier....they better watch out for release of software updates like this release. It ruined the netflix experience where it was constantly spooling

I upgraded and no more spooling. Appears they fixed it

ctdonath · Oct 25, 2011

Billy Boo Bob said:
You'd think they'd have a remote type app for the Mac (to use a real keyboard)

Well, maybe not for the Mac but there is the Remote app for iP* devices.

Billy Boo Bob · Oct 25, 2011

just get the Remote app for your iPhone/iPod touch/iPad and use the keyboard from there.

That's all well and fine if you actually have an iPhone/iPod touch/iPad.

there is the Remote app from Apple that is available for iPhone/iPod touch/iPad works really really good. Not really practical to have an App for the computer to type for your Apple TV since most of the time they arent in the same room.

In my case they are... My desk sits in the living room where (among other reasons) I can watch TV while sitting there. I wouldn't be looking to use the computer to navigate around between shows/movies and such, but I'm thinking about those times when you would have the keyboard show up on a iTouch device.

But I think even a settings tab when you're looking over the ATV in iTunes would be good.

acidfast7 · Oct 25, 2011

Need jailbreak so that I can continue to run PLEX.

rotlex · Oct 25, 2011

jaw04005 said:
Like iCloud perhaps? Hopefully, it's coming.

Yeah, that

handygeek · Oct 25, 2011

Were there any improvements other than the install process not bricking people? My updated to 4.4 worked fine - not sure I really need this update hassle.

testerdennis · Oct 25, 2011

Update Is Back On Line

Just turned on my Apple TV2 and it said new update available!!!!!
I now have 4.4.2 Software.

blinkin182 · Oct 25, 2011

Holyghost said:
Just updated to 4.4.2 and my AppleTV2 is demanding I plug it into iTunes. Glad it fixed that issue....

I just had the same experience and I've no idea where to find those micro USB cables. Am not happy about having to buy a bloody cable because the update failed...

steve-p · Oct 25, 2011

Same here. After the update it reset all my settings, which is very annoying. Then after I had set them all up again it said there was another update available.

ericrwalker · Oct 25, 2011

speaking of updates on ATV2, I thought it now supports subtitles with netflix but I don't see the option of turning it on anywhere.

Can't wait for the jailbreak to come back so I can reinstall xbmc.

ian. · Oct 25, 2011

Someone help me out here...

Now it says "AirPlay Mirroring". Is this AirPlay as we already know it, where we can only show Video, Photos, and cooperating Apps on the TV?

OR...

Is it actual Mirroring, where we can now see our iPhone 4S and iPads on the TV completely, as if we were using the Digital AV Adapter and we can see EVERYTHING we do on the phone???

dlkraft · Oct 25, 2011

ericrwalker said:
speaking of updates on ATV2, I thought it now supports subtitles with netflix but I don't see the option of turning it on anywhere.

Can't wait for the jailbreak to come back so I can reinstall xbmc.

Use the up arrow. It pops up a window.

----------

dlkraft said:
Use the up arrow. It pops up a window.

Sorry, while "Watching" Netflix, hit the up arrow a few times. That was on 4.4

Bheleu · Oct 25, 2011

ian. said:
Someone help me out here...

Now it says "AirPlay Mirroring". Is this AirPlay as we already know it, where we can only show Video, Photos, and cooperating Apps on the TV?

OR...

Is it actual Mirroring, where we can now see our iPhone 4S and iPads on the TV completely, as if we were using the Digital AV Adapter and we can see EVERYTHING we do on the phone???[/QUOTE]
Yes, Mirroring everything on the iPad 2 / iPhone 4S.

Apple Releases Apple TV Software 4.4.2 to Resolve Updating Issues

macrumors bot

macrumors newbie

Moderator emeritus

macrumors 65816

macrumors 68000

macrumors 6502a

macrumors 68020

macrumors 6502a

macrumors 601

macrumors 6502

macrumors regular

macrumors G5

macrumors member

macrumors 68000

macrumors 6502

macrumors 65816

macrumors 6502a

macrumors member

macrumors member

macrumors regular

macrumors 68000

macrumors 68030

macrumors newbie

macrumors newbie

macrumors 6502

Our Staff