Apple Fitness+ Appears to Be Incompatible With AirPlay

[svenmany]

work around maybe?

Yes, this is what we're already doing. USB-C HDMI works, it's been verified, and those of us with iPad Pros that have USB-C are going this route. It's still BS that lightning to HDMI does NOT work, nor does AirPlay.

Who knows if the next update removes the ability to use USB-C to HDMI as well? I am on the one month trial and had set it up for a year, but now I'm second-guessing that and thinking of going month to month because I don't trust Apple to not gimp or remove the USB-C route as well, since they're not allowing it for lightning and AirPlay.

I don't have an iPad. The latest iPad Air has USB-C. Has anyone tried with that device?

I have a feeling that I'm going to have to stop whining and buy either an Apple TV or an iPad. The iPad is expensive and the Apple TV is such an old version (2017). OOPS - there I go whining again.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

I was able to get it to Airplay with my Apple TV 4K

I think it's doing more of a "handoff", where the AppleTV box takes over running it, similar to when you transfer a video program like Netflix or YouTube - it actually launches the AppleTV app to take over running it; rather than just streaming the video signal like "conventional AirPlay."

 

[svenmany]

Did people here just discover DRM? It's not just on Apple fitness. It's annoying I agree

Could you say a bit more; you might have a point. When I called support, the guy I talked to suggested it was a copyright issue. I think you're saying DRM is being used by Apple to prevent AirPlay. That could also mean a patch is coming which would disable the hdmi from the iPad.

Even though Apple is currently not supporting AirPlay, I had thought it was just an accidental omission of functionality, not an intentional one.

 

[laken]

Did people here just discover DRM? It's not just on Apple fitness. It's annoying I agree

Maybe 'not just on Apple fitness', but many of the posters in this thread are paying monthly Peloton Digital users. The Peloton iOS casts to smart TVs over Airplay with no issue. So if playing on TV via Airplay is a DRM issue, why isn't Peloton fussed about it?

 

[russell_314]

Maybe 'not just on Apple fitness', but many of the posters in this thread are paying monthly Peloton Digital users. The Peloton iOS casts to smart TVs over Airplay with no issue. So if playing on TV via Airplay is a DRM issue, why isn't Peloton fussed about it?

Because no one cares about peloton. It’s no fun and no one gives you attention when you cry about peloton. Crying about Apple gets attention.

As to the DRM not all is the same. Trust me it’s annoying when I want to cast something from my Mac to my Apple TV and it comes up as a black screen. I dislike DRM of all kinds including on games movies etc but it’s here to stay. Perhaps if Apple feels that enough of their customers need to cast Apple fitness to a non-Apple TV product they will relax the DRM.

 

[russell_314]

Could you say a bit more; you might have a point. When I called support, the guy I talked to suggested it was a copyright issue. I think you're saying DRM is being used by Apple to prevent AirPlay. That could also mean a patch is coming which would disable the hdmi from the iPad.

Even though Apple is currently not supporting AirPlay, I had thought it was just an accidental omission of functionality, not an intentional one.

From what I heard on podcast it’s DRM meeting it’s some type of copy protection they have turned on. To be honest I don’t see why because if they’re worried about people re-posting the videos to YouTube they're really easy to get taken down. Maybe it’s because the service is so new they don’t want the counterfeit videos to get out there because they feel they won’t be able to stop it at that point. I’m not sure the reasoning

 

[4pp13]

From what I heard on podcast it’s DRM meeting it’s some type of copy protection they have turned on. To be honest I don’t see why because if they’re worried about people re-posting the videos to YouTube they're really easy to get taken down. Maybe it’s because the service is so new they don’t want the counterfeit videos to get out there because they feel they won’t be able to stop it at that point. I’m not sure the reasoning

They've really bitten themselves in the backside then if this is the case. Surely it would've been much better to embed into the Apple TV app rather than the Apple fitness app and keep DRM but stop people from absolutely abandoning the service right away. I just can't imagine how they are going to keep people interested with this limitation unless they will provide the 3rd parties that already have an Apple TV app with an Apple Fitness app.

...this is my 2 cents (or pence!) worth.

I‘m not entirely sure what the big issue is with people wanting to AirPlay the workouts on a TV if I’m completely honest.

I use the workouts on my first gen iPad Air 2 and the screen is more than sufficient for me to see the workout along with the Apple Watch data on the left hand side.

I‘ve also done a couple of the treadmill workouts - I just take my iPad and stand it over the top of my treadmill display and it works fine. I really don’t see the necessity to workout in front of the TV all the time.

As long as the workouts work on an iPhone (ok, this WOULD be rather small) or an iPad then this works fine for me......

Honestly, it is this big of an issue. I cannot imagine someone wanting to use an iPhone or an iPad when they have a television available. And I imagine this issue to be worse in the US as many there have some sort of dedicated video room that would be PERFECT to pump out a workout in.

As it stands, I have a 40" telly in front of me when working out...I'm honestly supposed to ignore it, leave it turned off and watch the workout via my tiny (in this regard) 12.9" iPad? And worse, I already have an appliance that has an Apple TV app. So now I need something that costs £129 if I'm lucky and find a b grade one on BT shop just to enable the videos properly?

ALSO worse still is you know they are going to tout some kind of fitness stuff on the inevitable upgrade of Apple TV next year...so of course as always, early adopters in the Applesphere are stung.

 

[Greenie28]

So can I watch Fitness+ work outs on my iMac?

 

[tekchic]

So can I watch Fitness+ work outs on my iMac?

No. Apple really needs to think their overall strategy and approach for accessibility on more than just an iPad or an iPhone. Or the latest (ha ha 3 years old now) AppleTV.

 

[russell_314]

They've really bitten themselves in the backside then if this is the case. Surely it would've been much better to embed into the Apple TV app rather than the Apple fitness app and keep DRM but stop people from absolutely abandoning the service right away. I just can't imagine how they are going to keep people interested with this limitation unless they will provide the 3rd parties that already have an Apple TV app with an Apple Fitness app.



Honestly, it is this big of an issue. I cannot imagine someone wanting to use an iPhone or an iPad when they have a television available. And I imagine this issue to be worse in the US as many there have some sort of dedicated video room that would be PERFECT to pump out a workout in.

As it stands, I have a 40" telly in front of me when working out...I'm honestly supposed to ignore it, leave it turned off and watch the workout via my tiny (in this regard) 12.9" iPad? And worse, I already have an appliance that has an Apple TV app. So now I need something that costs £129 if I'm lucky and find a b grade one on BT shop just to enable the videos properly?

ALSO worse still is you know they are going to tout some kind of fitness stuff on the inevitable upgrade of Apple TV next year...so of course as always, early adopters in the Applesphere are stung.

You can still do Apple fitness on iPhone, iPad, the Mac (I think?), and Apple TV. Well I saw you can also directly connect one of those devices with an HDMI cable and play it on your TV. Not having airplay for non-Apple devices is a limitation but I don’t think that’s the one thing that’s going to cause a large number of people not to use the service. This is a very niche service so it’s not going to have widespread adoption. People are also complaining about the Apple Watch requirement but it’s part of a service that Apple is trying to provide. If they just wanted videos that people could stream they’ve could’ve just made it a subscription based YouTube channel.

I hope Apple reconsiders or maybe changes some of the DRM in the future. Perhaps once service gets a name for itself they will do that.

 

[svenmany]

Not having airplay for non-Apple devices is a limitation but I don’t think that’s the one thing that’s going to cause a large number of people not to use the service.

You might be right. The only incredulity about the lack of AirPlay seems to be this thread. It hasn't built up much steam elsewhere on the web.

 

[laken]

It hasn't built up much steam elsewhere on the web.

I’ve seen it mentioned several places, this is just a sampling:

From https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/12/apple-fitness-plus-review-full-details.html

Inexplicably, Airplay doesn’t actually work.Seriously. I can’t Airplay Apple Fitness+ from my iPad to my Apple TV. Why would you want to do that, you might ask? Well, simple: During many of the core/floor type workouts, you may be on the ground facing one direction (like doing a plank), and having the iPad on the ground near your head, while also having it mirrored to a larger TV screen for when facing/standing up is super useful. I fail to understand why this is restricted, as it establishes the Airplay mirror, syncs the audio, but shows a black screen on the Apple TV.

and…

You cannot AirPlay Apple Fitness+ to your Smart TV

While some were hoping to use Apple Fitness+ on their Smart TV using AirPlay, it appears the service is not yet compatible with the technology.

www.imore.com

 

[bostonsox]

Not having airplay for non-Apple devices is a limitation but I don’t think that’s the one thing that’s going to cause a large number of people not to use the service.

Count me in that set. I don't have an iPad or the newest Apple TV and I would like to use Airplay from my iPhone. If it is not supported, I am not going to sign up.

 

[4pp13]

You can still do Apple fitness on iPhone, iPad, the Mac (I think?), and Apple TV. Well I saw you can also directly connect one of those devices with an HDMI cable and play it on your TV. Not having airplay for non-Apple devices is a limitation but I don’t think that’s the one thing that’s going to cause a large number of people not to use the service. This is a very niche service so it’s not going to have widespread adoption. People are also complaining about the Apple Watch requirement but it’s part of a service that Apple is trying to provide. If they just wanted videos that people could stream they’ve could’ve just made it a subscription based YouTube channel.

I hope Apple reconsiders or maybe changes some of the DRM in the future. Perhaps once service gets a name for itself they will do that.

Well, you definitely can’t use a Mac and you definitely need a 4k Apple TV, no prior versions.

Compared to the watch, that is quite niche. I think watch versions 3-6 are all compatible. I’d expect that would be why much less chatter about requiring the watch. Also especially since fitness trackers are so popular now, this would give a positive nudge to ditch something lesser quality.

On the other hand, my TV is not lesser quality especially already having airplay and Apple TV. Buying a watch gives heaps of other features, buying an Apple TV - just one single feature.

I wonder if they intended for it to be niche? It would’ve been more my expectation they aim for this to be the standard way someone with an Apple watch exercises in the Applesphere. I didn’t realise that take up of watch for fitness was so niche.

 

[laken]

It’s not a niche service. You don’t invest like that and compete in a crowded market just to go niche. Apple doesn’t play like that.

 

[Madchemic39]

It didn't catch me as a type of workout service I would use. :S

 

[svenmany]

I’ve seen it mentioned several places, this is just a sampling:

From https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/12/apple-fitness-plus-review-full-details.html


and…

You cannot AirPlay Apple Fitness+ to your Smart TV

While some were hoping to use Apple Fitness+ on their Smart TV using AirPlay, it appears the service is not yet compatible with the technology.

www.imore.com

Thanks for those links. I am looking for more focused outrage. The first link has the outrage I'm looking for, but it's buried near the end of a very long review. The second link is good that it focuses on the issue. But, it seems rather tame, specifically the wording "some users will be disappointed". The second link also seems to suggest it's a temporary issue, with phrases like "at launch" and "for now".

I'm just being greedy and wanting more - really bad press that would be viewed by Apple as pushing people away from the service and maybe even signing up with their competitors.

 

[svenmany]

Well, you definitely can’t use a Mac and you definitely need a 4k Apple TV, no prior versions.

Apple claims in this support article that the Apple TV HD also works. Are people having a problem with that model?

 

[tekchic]

Apple claims in this support article that the Apple TV HD also works. Are people having a problem with that model?

Which model is the HD? I have the old one with the silver remote. There's definitely no Fitness+ app, because new apps require tvOS which doesn't run on the silver remote models.

EDIT: I think that might be any "4th generation AppleTV" since it does say tvOS on that link to the support article. Pretty sure I'm third gen, before they made glass remotes

 

[svenmany]

Which model is the HD? I have the old one with the silver remote. There's definitely no Fitness+ app, because new apps require tvOS which doesn't run on the silver remote models.

EDIT: I think that might be any "4th generation AppleTV" since it does say tvOS on that link to the support article. Pretty sure I'm third gen, before they made glass remotes

You're right. The HD is 4th generation and the 4K is 5th (so sayeth Wikipedia). Both of these models are still sold by Apple (in the Apple store at HD and 4K) and those are the only two that run tvOS.

 

[bjluczyk]

Thanks for those links. I am looking for more focused outrage. The first link has the outrage I'm looking for, but it's buried near the end of a very long review. The second link is good that it focuses on the issue. But, it seems rather tame, specifically the wording "some users will be disappointed". The second link also seems to suggest it's a temporary issue, with phrases like "at launch" and "for now".

I'm just being greedy and wanting more - really bad press that would be viewed by Apple as pushing people away from the service and maybe even signing up with their competitors.

I agree! I expected to see a lot more comments in this thread. The lack of outrage could either mean that Fitness+ is not getting many users at the launch, or that everyone who is signing up already has a supported Apple TV. I've been using Fitness+ in my living room, where I have an Apple TV, to try out the HIIT, strength, and core workouts. My basement has a new 55" LG TV with built-in Airplay that I was planning to use but now cannot. I'm not going to bring my cycle trainer and treadmill upstairs to replace the coffee table, and I don't feel that I should have to purchase yet another device for the basement. Trying to follow a workout on my iPhone is a non-starter. If Apple doesn't change their mind on this by the time my 6-month free trial runs out, I will not be subscribing. Hopefully by then I'll feel comfortable getting back to the gym.

 

[russell_314]

You're right. The HD is 4th generation and the 4K is 5th (so sayeth Wikipedia). Both of these models are still sold by Apple (in the Apple store at HD and 4K) and those are the only two that run tvOS.

That sounds right. Going back five years is about what Apple does so it’s not surprising it doesn’t work on older models.

 

[russell_314]

Count me in that set. I don't have an iPad or the newest Apple TV and I would like to use Airplay from my iPhone. If it is not supported, I am not going to sign up.

Of course there will be products or services from Apple that aren’t suitable for everyone. Apple has a tough time balancing what most customers will want and other business issues.

I just don’t think this is a limitation that will cause a large number of people not to choose it.

 

[MacAddictPM]

I agree! I expected to see a lot more comments in this thread. The lack of outrage could either mean that Fitness+ is not getting many users at the launch, or that everyone who is signing up already has a supported Apple TV. I've been using Fitness+ in my living room, where I have an Apple TV, to try out the HIIT, strength, and core workouts. My basement has a new 55" LG TV with built-in Airplay that I was planning to use but now cannot. I'm not going to bring my cycle trainer and treadmill upstairs to replace the coffee table, and I don't feel that I should have to purchase yet another device for the basement. Trying to follow a workout on my iPhone is a non-starter. If Apple doesn't change their mind on this by the time my 6-month free trial runs out, I will not be subscribing. Hopefully by then I'll feel comfortable getting back to the gym.

No it means those not raging on the forums are happily using Fitness + without issue. No idea what is going on with some, but I have completed 6 sessions totaling 2+ hours without any issue. On iPad and on ATV 4th Gen. Cheers.

 

[4pp13]

No it means those not raging on the forums are happily using Fitness + without issue. No idea what is going on with some, but I have completed 6 sessions totaling 2+ hours without any issue. On iPad and on ATV 4th Gen. Cheers.

I’d expect it’s that it’s not getting as much use. The fanfare for fitness plus does feel rather quiet in general since its release.

My irritation is more surrounding the fact that Peleton can do this fine enough and that Apple will inevitably release an updated Apple TV soon. Why not they just wait to release fitness plus alongside that?

Which is why I said previously first adopters do tend to miss out in the Apple world. All I can imagine is that it works well for them to get the service launched and steadier then really push it hard in 2021.