Slow Apple TV library load times fixed in tvOS 16.4 beta

AppleInsider

Apple has implemented a new fix in the tvOS 16.4 beta that fixes a persistent issue for users with large Apple TV libraries.

A new fix speeds up long load times on Apple TV

Those who amassed large libraries over the years have noticed a slow creep in technical debt on Apple TV hardware. Depending greatly on Internet speed, libraries in the thousands of titles would take a minute or more to load content in the Apple TV library tab.

Now, it seems that Apple is testing a fix for the problem in the latest tvOS beta. Sigmund Judge, Apple TV aficionado and editor of Screen Times, spotted the fix.

If you previously experienced slow loading or freezes within the TV App's Library tab worry no more.
Apple have optimised how large purchased video libraries populate and I couldn't be more grateful
pic.twitter.com/BGqiIzGv9R

-- Sigmund Judge (@sigjudge)

February 16, 2023

AppleInsider staff with large libraries that were impacted by the problem can also confirm that their libraries have significantly improved load times.

Apple rolled out the tvOS 16.4 developer beta on Thursday. Public beta versions of the releases generally arrive a short while after their developer counterparts, available through the Apple Beta Software Program.

Find any changes in the new betas? Reach out to us on Twitter at @AppleInsider or @Andrew_OSU, or send Andrew an email at andrew@AppleInsider.com.

Read on AppleInsider

foregoneconclusion

Now they need to fix the thumbnail loading for the ‘People’ section in Photos on macOS. The main section that shows all of the people identified by face in that app will stop loading thumbnails at approximately 200 people. All the rest of the thumbnails will remain gray rectangles regardless of how long you leave it open. They will NEVER load. 

That doesn’t happen in the main library that shows thumbnails for every photo that’s been added and is not organized by facial recognition. Photos never seems to have an issue with loading 1000s of thumbnails in that area. Only in the ‘People’ section.

edited February 2023

cpsro

Libraries "in the thousands of titles." oy

mario64

I created an account just to say THANK YOU to AppleInsider for raising awareness of this issue. I truly believe this is the only reason Apple has finally addressed it. 

I’ve been unable to access my 1500+ library via the ATV app for at least two years now. Maybe longer. Interestingly, the ATV app on both my Samsung and LG smart TV’s works fine. It’s just on the Apple TV device itself where it’s been broken. So much for “it just works”…

Thanks again AI. Will be grabbing 16.4 beta as soon as it goes public. 

mario64

Spoke too soon. Updated to 16.4 beta, opened the ATV Library tab, got a spinner for 2 mins and nothing at all loaded. Definitely not fixed for me. 😞

amar99

Even without the beta, my "grey thumbnail" library suddenly started functioning correctly a few days ago. Couldn't even load any TV shows on the AppleTV cause it would error out, but seems fine now.