tvOS 26.4 removes iTunes Movies and TV Shows apps from Apple TV 4K

The first beta release of tvOS 26.4 confirms Apple's move to fully retire the standalone iTunes Movies and TV Shows applications on Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD devices. This follows Apple's recent discontinuation of the iTunes Wish List feature and represents the final step in a transition that began years ago toward consolidating media experiences within the TV app.

Apple TV users upgrading to tvOS 26.4 beta will find the dedicated Movies and TV Shows apps completely removed from their home screens. These legacy applications once served as the primary interfaces for accessing purchased iTunes content but have become increasingly redundant as Apple expanded the capabilities of its TV app. For several years, the TV app has replicated nearly all functionality of these standalone apps, with the exception of the Wish List feature until recently.

The timing of this removal aligns with Apple's notification to users about the discontinuation of iTunes Wish Lists. Last week, Apple began informing users that Wish Lists—which allowed saving media titles for potential future purchase—would be discontinued, recommending migration to the TV app's Watchlist feature instead. While Wish Lists remain temporarily accessible in iOS 26.4 beta, they've been removed from tvOS entirely.

This transition reflects Apple's broader strategy to simplify content discovery and playback experiences. The TV app now serves as a unified hub for purchased movies and TV shows, Apple TV+ originals, third-party streaming services, and live sports through Apple's MLS Season Pass. Technical considerations also played a role: maintaining redundant applications consumed development resources and created potential points of fragmentation.

For users accustomed to the standalone apps, the migration path is straightforward:

1. All previously purchased content remains accessible through the 'Library' tab in the TV app
2. New purchases can be made directly within the TV app's Store section
3. The Watchlist replaces Wish List functionality for saving titles
4. Siri commands for accessing purchased movies/shows continue to function normally

Developers should note that APIs related to the removed applications will be deprecated in future SDKs. Apps integrating with Apple's media ecosystem should transition to TV app-based APIs for content discovery and playback.

The removal of these legacy applications underscores Apple's commitment to streamlining its media ecosystem. While some long-time users may miss the dedicated interfaces, this consolidation reduces interface complexity and aligns with Apple's broader shift toward service integration. The TV app now stands as the definitive destination for all video content on Apple TV platforms.