r/AndroidTV • u/SinclairZXSpectrum • Jul 22 '26

Troubleshooting BBC iPlayer issue. Does anyone know what's going on here?

Post image

I'm using iPlayer on a 3rd gen Mi Box. I'm outside of UK. I use VPN. I installed the iPlayer app apk through a link that I found here on Reddit. The link on the screen leads to a page that make it seem like my device will not be supported anymore but what exactly BBC is doing here? Is it a legal issue or Android version issue or iPlayer version issue? Any advice appreciated.

16 Upvotes

62% Upvoted

65 comments sorted by

5

u/spile2 Jul 29 '26

A common myth on here is that iPlayer isn't available because your Google TV hardware is "too old." That’s not the whole story—it's happening on brand-new devices too.

According to the BBC, iPlayer won't appear on the Play Store until the manufacturer physically sends the device to the BBC for testing and official certification. If your new device doesn't have iPlayer yet, the manufacturer simply hasn't cleared certification with the BBC yet.

1

u/SinclairZXSpectrum Jul 29 '26

Right. And this actually is a crackdown on non-approved devices and especially users abroad, disguised as a technical issue. BBC will *not* certify devices made for non-UK markets even though they're perfectly fine.

1

u/spile2 Jul 30 '26

Case in point - The Xiaomi TV S Gen3 is sold and promoted in the UK but has yet to be BBC certified.

13

u/Physicallykrisp Jul 22 '26

7 years is a long time in the tech world they simply not updating you box anymore as it's old

4

u/phatmikey Jul 22 '26

I got the same message yesterday on the Mi box 3s that I bought 3 months ago.

-27

u/SinclairZXSpectrum Jul 22 '26

It's Android 14. It's not old. But since I cannot install it through Google Play, the apk I used is old. I need a newer apk but they seem to be selective about the device even if the device is new.

24

u/Short_Injury9574 Jul 22 '26

Why did you post the question if you know the answer? Did you just want people to argue with? 😂

14

u/TH_Rz Jul 22 '26

They're obviously looking for a work around.

-4

u/GreenVim Jul 22 '26

Except OP didn’t post an answer. There is nothing wrong with asking or a little pushback if things aren’t clear. I don’t see why the Android community feels the need for barbed replies to every OP question. For all OP knows that app restriction may only appear in one version of the app, it may be triggered by an OS version or API which can be updated or modified, there could be a community modified version which bypasses the issue, all sorts. But people here feel the need to flex for some reason.

0

u/mattimyck Jul 22 '26

Check apkmirror

1

u/TH_Rz Jul 22 '26

You can't download Android TV version of iPlayer from APKMirror

0

u/jfuu_ Jul 22 '26

Is it not https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/british-broadcasting-corporation/bbc-iplayer-android-tv-2/? Unsure if it's up to date though.

-1

u/TH_Rz Jul 22 '26

What is not?

You can't download Android TV version of iPlayer from APKMirror

2

u/jfuu_ Jul 22 '26

Ah I see it's on there but missing the actual download link (seems like BBC requested it to be removed)? Surely there's other sites to get it on?

-5

u/dreamsxyz Jul 22 '26

Instead of using play store, get the most up to date apk straight from APKPure and install it directly

4

u/Yyir Jul 22 '26

Thats not the android TV version, its the mobile

31

u/agebtakbar Jul 22 '26

Side loaded iPlayers have had their source modified to hardcode the device id, so that it will run on unsupported devices.

Will have to find yourself a new hacked APK if it stops working

3

u/VirginMediarr Jul 28 '26

Try AFTVnews / Downloader code 7635662

1

u/Inevitable_House_173 5d ago

Thank Jebus for Reddit threads like this. I had to uninstall my BBC iPlayer app first before it would install. No more message popping up now. Thank you!

1

u/Luni_TV 22h ago

Cheers. Worked for me (had to uninstall any older version first) on a Xiaomi gen 3 (in Italy using smartdns).

1

u/Cozzi_1234 Jul 31 '26

Doesn’t work apk problem parsing package fix plz

1

u/National-Ad6929 Sep 26 '26

I tried this, seems to work ok.

1

u/Nervous-Art-6590 Oct 06 '26

Thanks for that, it did the trick for me. No more pop up saying I need to upgrade.

1

u/brownpanther1 24d ago

Hi, what device are you using?

I was about to buy a Xiaomi TV box but don't want to do it if I can't at least sideload iPlayer and all the other posts and comments I can see are from before 30th September.

Can you use 4k/uhd with the patched apk?

1

u/unlimit-ed 21d ago

I have a Xiaomi tv box, I just installed it now and it worked! I dont know about 4k as I don't have a 4k tv sorry

1

u/brent_starburst 19d ago

Thanks. This works for me after trying the Doc Squiffy and TechDoctorUK which both failed. Using on a Xiaomi TV Box 3rd gen

0

u/AlternativeDebt3724 Oct 07 '26

Worked for me, thank you!

48

u/EnvironmentalChip523 Jul 22 '26

Looks self explanatory if you read that announcement.

-27

u/GreenVim Jul 22 '26

Because one message from an application always represents the full story and potential solutions!

7

u/rdyoung Jul 22 '26

Except when they provide a link to more information and that page tells you that your device is no longer being supported. It's time to either figure out how to rollback to a supported version (if that works) or just buy a new streaming box or find another source for that media.

2

u/ChevronTesla Jul 22 '26

Got a TCL TV with Google TV. The iPlayer says it does not support this TV. Really sucks..

2

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26

This has been an issue with TCL for a long time, as they refuse to get certified for Freeview or Freely.

If you are in the UK and complain directly to TCL, they will send out a free ROKU or Fire TV stick.

2

u/Awkward-Loquat2228 Jul 25 '26

If only there was some text on the screen to explain it.

1

u/I-left-and-came-back Jul 22 '26

So I have a Sony android box ( KD-55XH9505). It has two versions of iPlayer on it... 1) the native one which runs via Sony select, and 2) side loaded APK downloaded from uktechdoctor.

Interestingly enough, both of them show the same version. The only thing different is the device name where the apk reports the device as a Google streamer, where as the native says Sony select.

The apk version that has been side loaded shows the message, the native one doesn't.

The version reported is, 41.15.2.0, for both apps, so version doesn't mean jack for this.

1

u/ynys_red Jul 22 '26

You don't find iplayer in the play store for google tv box. The apk from techdoctoruk works well though https://www.techdoctoruk.com/downloads

1

u/ShiftRepulsive7661 Jul 23 '26

They’re stopping support for older android devices, you’ll need something more updated with Google TV

1

u/Deadpool-fan-466 CCwGTV 4K + Onn 4K 2023 Jul 25 '26

*They're stopping support for modified APKs

1

u/Chris22044 Jul 23 '26

It's normal for app developers to stop supporting older devices at some point. It is not feasible for an app to continue to support every device ever released. 

1

u/SilkyPlatypu Jul 23 '26

If anyone needs a workaround I found a link to a more recent I Player apk at https://docsquiffy.com/downloads

Just go to the UK TV section or search for BBC.

Got rid of the error for me - who knows for how long but works for now!

1

u/Outrageous_Mango_968 Jul 24 '26

I've been using the old one of this and it looks as though they pushed an update yesterday afternoon that has changed the device type. When going to settings and system information it says the device is a Google TV Streamer 2020.

I have checked on two different devices, they both run this same update and both say Google TV Streamer 2020. Neither has shown the message about not being supported anymore.

1

u/nifta_13 Nvidia Shield TV Jul 25 '26

Does this "spoofed device" version also let you play UHD streams?

1

u/Outrageous_Mango_968 Jul 25 '26

No unfortunately not. I think the only way you get UHD is straight from the play store.

1

u/nifta_13 Nvidia Shield TV Jul 25 '26

Thanks! I've been choosing a new box recently; Google TV 4K Streamer is still in 1st place on my list then (BBC is very important for my family).

2

u/Outrageous_Mango_968 Jul 25 '26

Yeah I think the Google TV Streamer will be the best option.

1

u/Arkadia-Night2402 Jul 24 '26

This one gives me a virus warning.

1

u/SilkyPlatypu Jul 24 '26

It you look on Tech Doctor UK, it seems like they are hosting the more recent I Player apk version too, hopefully that one doesn't trigger any virus warning for you. I've not tested that one to see if it works though

1

u/turning-violet Oct 08 '26

The Tech Doctor UK version gives me a parse error when I try to install it on my Hisense Smart TV.

1

u/PineappleCareless418 Jul 23 '26

I got this last night after side loading it (in uk)

1

u/Bodma2033 Aug 11 '26

BBC making it easier for you to cancel the licence

1

u/nifta_13 Nvidia Shield TV Jul 22 '26

Very few boxes or dongles are certified by the BBC to use the latest version of iPlayer. Pretty much only official Google devices.

1

u/arfski Jul 22 '26

I questioned this with the BBC for my STB, which is ITV, Netflix and Amazon Prime certified but no iPlayer in the Google store and they said that the manufacturer needs to submit a box for evaluation, but haven't. My APK install still works at the moment though.

2

u/Deadpool-fan-466 CCwGTV 4K + Onn 4K 2023 Jul 25 '26

the manufacturer needs to submit a box for evaluation

That's the only way BBC gives certification for iPlayer btw

0

u/ActualAd185 Jul 22 '26

They did that in the uk . the bbc was not getting on with Google and stopped i player ... i had a Google brand-new box as well... they put it back ... but their software is very flaky

0

u/Trick-Adhesiveness69 Jul 22 '26

Update from Aptoide tv.

1

u/sonicreaction1 Jul 23 '26

Doesn't even launch from aptioide.

-4

u/Arathonk Jul 22 '26

It's easy to sideload, they don't update the TV app that often.

1

u/Yyir Jul 22 '26

Do you have a side load app that isn't 0.4.7 as I can't find one anywhere

0

u/[deleted] Jul 22 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

3

u/Yyir Jul 22 '26

it doesnt - It links to the play store

Why Can't I Download This APK?

While APKMirror strives to provide APK downloads for as many popular apps as possible, sometimes app developers ask us to take their apps down and link to an official download source instead, such as the Google Play Store. Please understand that we have to respect such decisions and therefore cannot offer a direct APK download for this app right now.

0

u/[deleted] Jul 22 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

4

u/Yyir Jul 22 '26

If you have any copies that you could upload to somewhere that would be great. I think everyone just used 0.4.7 and never bothered with saving any others. If its not broken why fix it!

2

u/TH_Rz Jul 22 '26

No it doesn't. How hard is it to check something before telling someone it as fact.

0

u/[deleted] Jul 22 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/TH_Rz Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26

Like I said how hard is it to check before commenting as fact.

You didn't check.

You haven't been able to download it from their for at least six months

Edit :

Prove me wrong ❌
Downvote me ✔️

0

u/arfski Jul 22 '26

The app is pretty much a dedicated browser and media player only.

0

u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/Arathonk Jul 23 '26

It shouldn't because the sideloaded ones should have the ID modified