Google is shutting down the Google Play Movies & TV app on Android TV in the near future. Google seems to have begun sending out emails to users of Android TV devices notifying them of the upcoming change. “The Google Play Movies & TV app is going away” the email reads.
This probably doesn’t come as a surprise. Earlier this year Google announced that Android TV was getting a new Shop tab to replace the app. But didn’t mention timing. In this section of the UI, users could easily find movies and TV shows to rent. It essentially serves the same purpose as the Google Play Movies & TV app. And therefore having two of these things is redundant. Google is obviously removing the old app because it wants the Shop tab to be the new centralized location for buying or renting movie and TV content.
The Shop tab, which appears more in line with Google’s desired visual layout for the platform, is already available.
The Google Play Movies & TV app will leave Android TV in October
Google has confirmed that the Play Movies & TV app will be leaving Android TV in October. Specifically on October 5. Just a day after Google’s upcoming Made by Google event. Although the app is disappearing, the functionality it provided is not.
You will still be able to rent and buy movie and TV content from the Shop tab going forward. And any of your existing rentals or previously purchased content will be located there as well. So you don’t lose anything you’ve paid for. The only real difference is that you won’t have a dedicated app on Android TV to launch where all that stuff will be found.
You can also find this same content on the Shop tab in the Google TV apps for Android and iOS devices. This removal marks the complete end of the app since Google officially removed it from mobile devices some time ago. Once the Android TV version is gone the branding will officially be no more.
