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Apple TV app removes rent and buy options from Android TV and Google TV

Stop us if you've heard this one before, but the sticking point may be over commission fees.

Ozzie Mejia

March 21, 2022 11:25 AM

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Not everybody owns an Apple TV, so it's been a nice convenience that users of other smart TVs could purchase or rent movies and TV shows through the Apple TV app. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like that will be an option going forward. Android TV and Google TV devices no longer offer a Rent or Buy option on the Apple TV app, meaning the only way to officially rent or buy from Apple's storefront for the moment is through official Apple devices.

As noted by Apple Insider, the Apple TV app is available to download across a wide range of non-Apple devices. However, bringing up a movie or TV show will now display a "How to Watch" button, instead of rent or buy prompts. Clicking the button directs the user to purchase or rent that specific piece of media through an iPhone, an iPad, or "other streaming devices."

For now, this does not affect Apple TV+. That's a good thing, since Apple announced a handful of new content for the service earlier this month, including its first jump into live sports. Plus, anything previously purchased through Android or Google TVs on the Apple TV app can still be viewed through those devices.

As for why this is happening now, that's unknown. Apple Insider is speculating that it could be over Google's 30 percent commission fee on in-app purchases through its platform. Yes, it's the sort of thing that helped launched the massive Apple vs. Epic Fortnite war and while the removal of rent or buy options likely won't have the same widespread effect on the tech and gaming worlds, it's worth noting that larger tech companies are becoming more cognizant of who's getting cuts of what. These are stories worth keeping an eye on, so we'll be watching what's happening here at Shacknews. Stay tuned for the latest updates.

Ozzie Mejia

Senior Editor

Ozzie has been playing video games since picking up his first NES controller at age 5. He has been into games ever since, only briefly stepping away during his college years. But he was pulled back in after spending years in QA circles for both THQ and Activision, mostly spending time helping to push forward the Guitar Hero series at its peak. Ozzie has become a big fan of platformers, puzzle games, shooters, and RPGs, just to name a few genres, but he’s also a huge sucker for anything with a good, compelling narrative behind it. Because what are video games if you can't enjoy a good story with a fresh Cherry Coke?