Apple TV+ Showing Black Screen on MacBook Pro? Here’s a Workaround

troubleshooting
tutorials
Author

Sam M

Published

August 24, 2024

Apple TV+ Showing Black Screen on MacBook Pro

images/AppleTV-MacBook-Black-Screen.png

While trying to watch an episode on Apple TV+, you might encounter a black screen where only the audio and subtitles play, but no video. I’ve noticed this on a few Macs, and while I can’t pinpoint the exact cause, I suspect it may have something to do with DRM in combination with some screen recording utilities or accessibility features I’m using. It could also be related to my use of a beta version of macOS. Whatever the case, this issue has persisted across various combinations of MacBooks and macOS versions.

Workaround: Using a Web Browser

If you’re facing this issue, the workaround is surprisingly straightforward: use a web browser instead of the native Apple TV+ app or Safari. While it might seem counterintuitive, this approach has consistently worked.

Supported Browsers

Note: Safari, unfortunately, redirects you back to the native Apple TV+ app, so it’s not ideal for this workaround. Apple officially mentions using Google Chrome or Firefox as alternatives in their browser guide.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Install a Supported Browser:

If you don’t already have one of the supported browsers installed, download and install one of the following: - Google Chrome - Microsoft Edge - Opera - Firefox

2. Open the Browser:

Launch the browser you installed or already have on your Mac.

4. (Optional) Create a “Chrome App” for Apple TV+:

If you prefer a more native app experience, you can create a shortcut that behaves similarly to a standalone app. This step is entirely optional, but it can make accessing Apple TV+ more convenient.

For Google Chrome: 1. Click on the three vertical dots (More) in the top right corner of the browser. 2. Select More tools. 3. Click on Create shortcut…. 4. Check the box that says Open as window. 5. Click Create.

For Microsoft Edge: 1. Click on the three horizontal dots (More) in the top right corner of the browser. 2. Select Apps. 3. Click on Install this site as an app. 4. Name the app and click Install.

For Opera: 1. Click on the Opera menu in the top left corner. 2. Select Extensions. 3. Click on Install Chrome Extensions. 4. Follow the same steps as for Google Chrome to create a shortcut.

For Firefox: Firefox does not natively support creating standalone apps, but you can use extensions like WebApp to achieve similar functionality.

5. Access the “Chrome App”:

Once created, the “Chrome App” will show up in Spotlight search and can be launched like any other application on your Mac. This provides a more reliable experience for watching Apple TV+ content.

Additional Notes

  • Apple’s Guide: For more detailed instructions on watching Apple TV+ in a web browser, refer to Apple Support. Apple specifically mentions using Chrome or Firefox for the best experience.
  • Other Browsers: Browsers like Brave and Opera may support similar features for creating standalone apps. The steps are generally similar to those for Chrome and Edge.

Summary

By following these steps, you can create a browser-based app for Apple TV+ that circumvents the issues with the native app on your Mac. This method leverages the capabilities of modern browsers to provide a seamless streaming experience, even when the native solutions fall short.

Best Practices:

  • Ensure your browser is up to date.
  • Use a browser that supports creating standalone apps for the best experience.
  • Refer to Apple’s official guide for additional support and troubleshooting.

References