You should be able to access the App Store on your Apple TV.
But whenever you try, it seems that you can’t find it anywhere. You just have a bunch of pre-installed apps!
The thing is, if you have a first, second, or third-generation Apple TV, the App store won’t be available in the first place.
That could be the main reason why your Apple TV doesn’t have an App Store: you simply have an older model.
Get more in-depth information with us below.
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Why Does My Apple TV Not Have The App Store?
It’s probably because you have one of the older generations or Apple TV models!
If you have the latest generation of the Apple TV, but can’t find the App Store, then there might be an error.
Before you can diagnose which of those issues you’re dealing with, it helps to know which generation of Apple TV you have.
How to Check Which Generation of Apple TV You Own
Fortunately, the different generations of the Apple TV have some distinct features. It’s easy to tell them apart:
#1 Apple TV First Generation
- Belongs to the old generation.
- Comes in silver with a white TV remote.
- Has seven ports: the USB port, power port, Ethernet port, optical digital audio port, analog audio ports, component video ports, and HDMI port.
The first generation has the most ports of the Apple TV generations and is the only one to come in silver.
You can also check the model number at the bottom of the box! For the first generation, the model number is A1218.
#2 Apple TV Second Generation
- Belongs to the old generation.
- Comes in black with an aluminum grey TV remote.
- Has five ports: the HDMI port, power port, optical digital audio port, micro-USB port, and Ethernet port.
Apple TV is now in black! The ports are noticeably fewer. For the second generation, the model number is A1378.
#3 Apple TV Third Generation
- Belongs to the old generation.
- Comes in black with a grey Apple TV remote.
- Has five ports exactly like the second generation.
The Apple TV’s third generation is very similar to the second generation.
To be sure, you can check the model number at the back. It will either be A1427 or A1469 for Rev A.
#4 Apple TV HD (Fourth Generation)
- Belongs to the new generation.
- Is still commercially available on Apple.
- Comes in black, along with a Siri or Apple TV remote.
- Has a built-in power supply, USB-C support, an Ethernet port, and an HDMI port.
The HD generation of the Apple TV only has three ports, a new Siri Remote, and the model number A1625.
#5 Apple TV 4K (First Generation)
- Belongs to the new generation.
- Is still commercially available on Apple.
- Comes in black, along with a Siri or Apple TV remote.
- Only has two ports: one for Ethernet and one for HDMI.
- Also has a built-in power supply.
The first generation of the Apple TV 4K only has two ports and a built-in power supply. The model number should be A1842.
#6 Apple TV 4K
- Belongs to the new generation.
- Is the most recent Apple TV release.
- Comes in black, along with a new generation of the Siri or Apple TV remote.
- Only has two ports and a built-in power supply like the first 4K generation.
The newest Apple TV release looks the same as the first generation of the Apple TV 4K!
It does come with a newer release of the Siri Remote, too. Check the model number to determine which 4K version you’ve got.
For the Apple TV 4K, the model number should be A2169.
If You Have an Older Generation and Don’t Have The App Store
The App Store isn’t supported by the first, second, and third generations. However, you can try a workaround to access some apps.
If you have an iPhone or iPad with iOS 7 and up, you can stream or mirror your screen to Apple TV.
To stream, do the following:
- Connect your Apple TV and your chosen Apple device (iPhone or iPad) to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Look for either SharePlay or AirPlay on your phone. In some cases, you might have to click “Share” first before being offered the AirPlay function.
- Choose your Apple TV for using AirPlay and stream your preferred photo or video.
To mirror your device, do the following:
- Connect your Apple TV and chosen Apple device to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the Control Center and look for the Screen Mirroring option.
- You’ll see a list of available devices. Choose the Apple TV from the list!
- Enter your iOs passcode if asked. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy your Apple TV!
If You Have the Newer Generation and Don’t Have the App Store
The Apple TV HD and 4K should have the App Store available.
If you can’t find it, check if the App Store has been moved from the Home Screen.
To do this, use the search bar function. Type in “App Store” and see if it pops up.
You or another user may have unknowingly moved it, so make sure it can be easily found next time!
What Do Old Apple TV Generations Have Without the App Store?
Just because the old Apple TV generations don’t have the App Store doesn’t mean they come bare!
Older Apple TV generations should have pre-installed apps. Apple also frequently adds more apps that you can enjoy.
However, it’s hard to find an older generation Apple TV these days unless you already own one. Recently, only the following are available:
- The Apple TV 4K. It comes with a crisp HDR frame rate, a powerful A12 Bionic processor, and a Siri Remote.
- The Apple TV HD (fourth generation). It comes with 1080p HD video capability, an A8 processor, and a Siri Remote.
- The Apple TV third generation. It comes with 1080p output support and an A5 processor chip.
Among these available Apple TV generations, the third generation is the oldest and doesn’t have the App Store. You probably have a third-generation Apple TV if you can’t access the App Store from your home screen!
Refer to the steps above if you want App Store content on your third-generation Apple TV. Use AirPlay or Screen Mirroring for your Apple TV and let your iPhone take the lead.
If apps and games don’t interest you, the third generation should work fine for you.
On the other hand, the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD should have the App Store easily available.
In Conclusion
Your Apple TV probably doesn’t have the App Store because it’s an older model. The App Store being accessible from your device simply isn’t possible.
However, you can stream and mirror your device as a workaround.
We hope we gave you some solutions today! We hope the rest of this article has been a wealth of information, too. Let us know what you think.
Vance is a dad, former software engineer, and tech lover. Knowing how a computer works becomes handy when he builds Pointer Clicker. His quest is to make tech more accessible for non-techie users. When not working with his team, you can find him caring for his son and gaming.