Apple’s TV apps are some of the best out there, and they really elevate the viewing experience. Other customers, however, have noted a fairly regular Apple TV issue: they can’t pick up where they left off the last time the device was turned on, forcing them to fumble around trying to remember the precise hour at which they last used Apple TV. How come this is happening, and what can be done about it?
Why Does Apple TV Always Start From the Beginning?
Due to an outdated tvOS or faulty program, your Apple TV will always restart. Another possibility is that the problem is with an external streaming device. In order to fix this, you can either delete and reinstall the app, reset the third-party device, or enable the Viewing History.
Nothing is more frustrating than turning on Apple TV on your smart TV ready to continue watching your favorite series only to find that it has forgotten where you last left off.
It’s natural that you’d like answers as to why this is occurring.
Apple TV always returns to the beginning whenever it is switched on for a few different reasons.
Your tvOS Is Out of Date
While most recent Apple TV software does indeed support picking up where you left off, older versions often may not.
After the release of certain versions of tvOS 14, there was a surge in reports of this problem.
Because the ability to continue is hidden in these releases, your program will seemingly always launch from the very beginning.
If you have one of the above versions, and you can’t pick up where you left off, it might be because of this problem, which appears to have been fixed in subsequent or earlier releases.
There’s a Bug in the Software
These issues, however, are not version-specific. You could be using the most up-to-date version of tvOS, in which many bugs have been fixed, but you’re still having trouble with your Apple TV.
All apps, including Apple TV, are implemented in software. There may be several faults or problems with this software that have no clear origin.
New bugs can prevent the resume option from appearing even if you have the most recent version of tvOS installed.
Issue With a Third Party Device
While tvOS is likely to be at the root of any Apple TV issues, other factors cannot be ruled out.
Aside from Apple’s own devices, any other streaming device will work with Apple TV.
When you turn on your TV after turning off a streaming device, the content may restart from the beginning. Like with any software-based tool, there is always a chance that flaws or problems will prevent you from picking up where you left off when using one of these gadgets.
How To Get Apple TV To Start Where You Left Off
Unless you try a few alternative approaches, you probably won’t be able to identify the source of the issue.
There are a few possible solutions to the problem of an unresumable Apple TV. Depending on the solution that proves effective, you can verify the root of the problem.
Use the Latest Version of tvOS
If you want the newest features and bug fixes, you should update your tvOS. In just a few simple actions, you may upgrade the tvOS on your Apple TV.
- Turn on your Apple TV and go to Settings using the remote.
- Scroll to find System and then select Software Updates.
- Choose Update Software and see if there are any updates available.
- If there is a new update, select Download and Install.
- Wait for the update to finish and check if the problem is resolved.
Reset Your Apple TV
As I described above, even if you update to the most recent version of tvOS, the problem may still exist.
There could be a software error or bug causing the issue. Resetting your Apple TV may help resolve this issue.
Activate Viewing History
There’s always the chance that the issue will return after updating or resetting your Apple TV, forcing you to start from square one each time.
In the event that this problem persists due to a software flaw, you can still resume watching from where you left off on your Apple TV. Here are the steps you need to take:
- Verify that iCloud has been set up and synced.
- Launch the Watch Now app on your Apple TV.
- Selecting “Up Next” will bring up a list of all the shows you’ve watched so far in your viewing history.
- Use the search bar if you have trouble locating the program you were viewing the last time your TV was listed.
- Select the show and then Continue Watching.
- Your show will resume where you left off.
Update or Reset Your Streaming Device
If neither of those works, the problem may lie with your streaming device. You should update or reset the streaming devices to get rid of any issues or glitches.
It’s possible that different devices will require unique sets of instructions. Update the device first, and if it doesn’t work, attempt a factory reset. Check to see if the problem has been fixed after each try.
Get in Touch with Apple’s Customer Service
If you’ve exhausted these options and still can’t get your issue under control, it may be time to seek the assistance of an expert.
Alternatively, you can contact Apple Help for assistance, and then implement the steps they provide to resolve the issue.
Final thoughts on Why Your Apple TV Always Starts From the Beginning
Apple usually allows you to pick up where you left off when watching a video, but there are situations when technical difficulties prevent this.
The majority of the time, this is because of faulty or out-of-date software.
It’s possible that this is a problem caused by a third party as well. Many options are at your disposal, such as updating and resetting your Apple TV or searching for the “Continue Watching” option in Viewing History.
If you’ve already tried everything else, contact Apple Help.
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