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Cannot launch iPlayer on CC with Google TV

SimonAJ
Community Member

This week I setup a new Chromecast with Google TV. It appears to work fine, except for BBC iPlayer. The iPlayer App is not listed in the play store. There are some programs listed as suggestions which are on iPlayer. When I select one of these and launch with iPlayer, I get an error message saying "Your device is incompatible with this version." If I click on the message it says the iPlayer version is 0.4.7-dev.

I've raised this with iPlayer tech support too, but not had any resolution so far.

Any suggestions would be very welcome!

Simon

1 Recommended Answer

Jeran
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey folks, 

 

Thank you for your patience. Happy to announce that the BBC iPlayer app is available again to install from the Play Store. Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions or concerns. 

 

Thanks again, 

Jeran

View Recommended Answer in original post

58 REPLIES 58

Cathal_S
Gold Product Expert
Gold Product Expert

Hi SimonAJ,

This is also being reported over on the Google TV community forum. As it's the BBC that develop the app then it will be them that need to make it compatible with the Android 12 version that's running on the Chromecast with Google TV HD devices.

https://support.google.com/googletv/thread/186097718/bbc-iplayer-won-t-work-on-new-google-chromecast... 

 

 

Regards,
Cathal

SimonAJ
Community Member

Thanks, I've reported the issue to the BBC development team. I was hoping there might be a workaround while they fix the issue.

Jeran
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Thanks for helping out, Cathal! 

 

Hiya SimonAJ,

 

As a reminder, you can still cast BBC content from the mobile app. Go ahead and visit this article for more details.

Let us know if you had any more questions or concerns.

 

Best regards,

Jeran

SimonAJ
Community Member

Hi Jeran,

Casting from my phone works fine, but I really want to use the App on the device. 

Jeran
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hiya SimonAJ,

 

Totally understandable! We're currently working with BBC to bring the BBC iPlayer app to Chromecast with Google TV (HD). 

 

Best regards,

Jeran

Niglov
Community Member

When you say "We" who exactly are "we"? BBC blames Google and Google blames BBC. All we want is for this to be fixed quickly to make the device fit for use.

Roughly half the shows appearing on the home screen require iPlayer. It's a corporate disaster.

rodandemo
Community Member

I’ve tried to cast and it doesn’t work

Sidmouth
Community Member

I’ve been battling this same issue all evening. Worked fine for the past 10 days, until I wanted to change the standby photos (via google home). Must’ve triggered a software upgrade to 12. Same as you, no iplayer on google play to download and each attempt to watch a BBC program via the ‘advert’ states Your device isn’t compatible with this version. I’m excited asked for a replacement of the chromecast dongle with the retailer as it’s not fit for purpose.

Verty
Community Member

Hello, I just purchased a brand new Chromcast and I've downloaded some apps, however when I go to search "BBC iPlayer" nothing comes up. The strange thing is when I go to the tab "For you" a whole heap of BBC iPlayer shows are coming up on my suggested watch list. When I go to click any of the many shows and movies suggested and I go to click the BBC player icon, I get an error messaging saying "Your device isn't compatible with this version". I just purchased this Chromcast so not sure why it isn't compatible. If someone could please help 

Sidmouth
Community Member

Get a refund! I've had a direct email from the BBC iPlayer technical department regarding my issue (same as you). They say google hasn't promoted their Chromecast for BBC (security) certification, thus ' not compatible with this device'. There's also no Channel 4 on Chromecast - same issue. Apparently google don't get on with these platforms so no guarantee for the future. My whole life is google but going over to Amazon firestick for the same price, as they has everything. Just got to learn 'alexa'. 

nfuller
Community Member

I am going to be asking for refund to as I have contacted both bbc and they said the same and also contacted channel 4 and Freesat around apps for Google TV and was made clear Google are the issue with this happening total disgrace 

This is really disappointing to hear as I've just bought one and somehow forgot to try to install iPlayer and Channel 4's All4 app until after my refund window, so now I'm stuck with a device that cost me £35 but is now £25 on Amazon and is also useless to me for the time being! Aaaargh!

nfuller
Community Member

Would be good to finally have someone from Google explain what the hell they are doing as my front screen is littered like yours with bbc iplayer shows as we are Uk customers yet no app and Google appear to be the problem according to BBC would be nice if they finally have some sort of service to UK customers 

Verty
Community Member

I have the exact same problem!

SimonAJ
Community Member

My Chromecast with Google TV was brand new. It's so frustrating. I have until 13th November to return it, so if it's not fixed soon that's what I'll do. 

Sidmouth
Community Member

Get a refund! I've had a direct email from the BBC iPlayer technical department regarding my issue (same as you). They say google hasn't promoted their Chromecast for BBC (security) certification, thus ' not compatible with this device'. There's also no Channel 4 on Chromecast - same issue. Apparently google don't get on with these platforms so no guarantee for the future. My whole life is google but going over to Amazon firestick for the same price, as they has everything. Just got to learn 'alexa'. 

nfuller
Community Member

Think we all need to look at getting these devices refunded if in the time window I know I am going to this week as until we all say enough is enough with the awful UK offering they are not going to do anything about it if I wanted a device that is jam packed full of American tv apps then fine but I wanted and expected like all your UK customers to have a competitive strong uk app offering which clearly Google do not intend or even want to offer and to add to the insult despite issue being flagged to their teams that bbc iplayer is not available so why list loads of bbc iplayer shows on the screen they have still not taken them down so question really has to be asked if Google have any interest in uk customers also highlights major issues with our uk operation and the managing director Ronan as he’s either totally disinterested in this arm of the operation ie Google tv chromecast or he is not delivering on a key basic and needs to get a real focus straight away on this with his team and not expect us to keep waiting 

aramando
Community Member

....Aaaand breathe! 😆

Sidmouth
Community Member

I buy from John Lewis, so refunds and returns are no problem. Just use the phrase 'unfit for purpose' or 'false advertising' to any retailer. In this instance they are 'guilty by association' as they are mis-selling goods and services and you have the right outside of the standard refund time window to return it, albeit for a credit note. I've bought the amazon firestick 4K for a better price. Google is losing out in the entertainment arena.

Unfortunately once I had set it up and confirmed it was working I discarded all the packaging, so that's obviously a problem for returning it. As for being unfit for purpose, well, it's only unfit for *my* purposes, and the Amazon listing makes no mention of iPlayer or All4 so there's no false advertising involved. Seems I just have to wait and hope they get their act together, but I do worry that Google isn't all that motivated to resolve its issue with even the UK's largest streaming service.

SimonAJ
Community Member

Another update, there's some Good and not so good news... I managed to get a refund when I returned my Chromecast with Google TV. The not so good news is I replaced it with a Roku. Which is fine, but not nearly has good as the Chromecast would be if iPlayer (and All4/Ch4) worked. Mainly because the the Chromecast remote didn't need line of sight to work but Roku does. Also, the CC remote has volume control too, but that's missing from the Roku remote.

I've not given up hope that between Google and the BBC the issue will get sorted out, then I'll buy another Chromecast with Google TV, hopefully at black Friday prices!!

Simon

Sidmouth
Community Member

I bought an Amazon firestick 4k with iPlayer and channel 4, in addition to volume control for a good Black Friday price. Also has Alexa and doesn't require line of sight.

Same issue. Just bought Chromecast with Google TV and can't connect BBC iplayer. Looking for a fix from Google for this soon, or the Chromecast is going back.

My whole life is google - from the 'gateway' of an email account, google Drive, google duo (facetime) through to lights, thermostat and hot water. The only blind spot for google is entertainment! For music and TV I use amazon. What a slip-up when conquering the planets tech. I recommend binning chromecast and just go over to amazon firestick for hassle free (UK) viewing. Same pricing and quality.

KingMing
Community Member

I bought the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) yesterday. All day today I have been trying to understand why BBC iPlayer app is not available. Now I realise it does not exist. So I returned it, and I have instead purchased Chromecast with Google TV (4K). I have noticed that on the box it has the “BBC iPlayer“ logo (whereas the HD version did not have this.

Seems that BBC iPlayer app is available only on the 4K version.

BernieP
Community Member

Hi, I too have had the same issue with BBC iPlayer on my Chromecast with Google TV HD, it appears the problem is with BBC iPlayer version 0.4.7-dev not being available on Chromecast HD, but by sideloading version 0.4.7-dev of BBC iPlayer for Android TV, I have managed to get it to work. I acquired the BBC iPlayer for Android TV version 0.4.7-dev APK from www.apkmirror.com (but you can download it from where ever you wish), just use the search facility on the website to search for 'BBC iPlayer (Android TV)'. For those who are not familiar with sideloading apps, then you can search on Google (or other search engine) for sideloading on a Chromecast with Google TV and you should find plenty of tutorials, if you find this too technical, then I recommend you wait until BBC and Google sort out the problem with version 0.4.7dev not being available on the Chromecast with Google TV HD.

Billmed
Community Member

Works like a treat. Thank you very much.

Billmed
Community Member

I side loaded the iplayer apk yesterday and a few hours later they released the play store version. I think I'll look for, and side load, the All4 apk and you can all thank me when the official app is released later in the day.

Fingers crossed!!

Jong1
Community Member

As other have said, about half (certainly a third) of the recommendations on the home screen are for iPlayer yet you cannot install the app. That's just very poor by anyone's book!

The irony is it only works on the Chromecast with Google TV 4K, so I naively assumed the app supported UHD and THAT was part of the issue. However, bought the 4K version this weekend on a Black Friday deal and NO! The app on the 4K version does not support iPlayer UHD streams!!

Its a total dog's breakfast. Google you should be ashamed!

By the way, please fix the farce of not supporting All4 on either device too please! 🤗

Brandnouveau
Community Member

Hello. I think this has just now been fixed. It didn’t work yesterday, the iPlayer app seemed to appear today. This is great news!

Yes, good news, version 0.4.9 has been released which is compatible. Having returned my privious device because it didn't work, I've now ordered a new Chromecast with Google TV (at Black Friday's price!) which should be delivered later today. I'll give an update but I'm expecting it to work with iPlayer.

Next I'll contact All4 to try and get them to support Chromecast too.

A good result, but it's taken much too long for 2 high profile companies (BBC and Google) to there products working together.

SimonAJ
Community Member

Finally iPlayer is installed and working. Happy days.

aramando
Community Member

I had the following response from Channel 4 on 23/11/2022:

Thank you for your email regarding All 4.

We are sorry to read that you are experiencing issues accessing All4 content. As you have observed, we do not currently support the All4 app on Google and or Android TV, and we're afraid that we do not disclose our plans for launching All 4 on new platforms to the public in advance. While the app is not available on this platform, we would advise that you would be able to cast to the new Google Chromecast device like any other Chromecast device.

We are constantly reviewing our options regarding which devices to be on and aim to provide the best possible experience for viewers using our apps. However, All4 is currently available on various other platforms and devices such as: Sky, Virgin Media, via our website, iOS app, Android mobile app, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, YouView, Freeview Play, Now TV boxes, Chromecast, Playstation 4 and Xbox One.

Jong1
Community Member

Great news! Thanks for the update. Yes, we just need All4 and we'll be where we should have been 2 years ago when the 4K version was released.

Crazy to release a UK product without these apps ready to go!

Yes, totally agree, All4 would be a terrific addition. I’m off to see Garth Marenghi tomorrow in Bath, I’ll ask him to give C4 a nudge.

aramando
Community Member

To be fair to Google, it has had iPlayer most of this time, except that a recent iPlayer update broke compatibility that had to be resolved through cooperation between the 2 organisations. What I don't understand is why the BBC even released a version of the app that wasn't compatible with Android/Google TV, so surely this is on them.

As for All4 see my latest top-level comment here; it doesn't sound like Channel 4 have any plans to make a version for Google TV, sadly.

aramando
Community Member

Great news that iPlayer has been fixed, but All4 is not looking promising (email received 23/11/2022):

Thank you for your email regarding All 4.

We are sorry to read that you are experiencing issues accessing All4 content. As you have observed, we do not currently support the All4 app on Google and or Android TV, and we're afraid that we do not disclose our plans for launching All 4 on new platforms to the public in advance. While the app is not available on this platform, we would advise that you would be able to cast to the new Google Chromecast device like any other Chromecast device.

We are constantly reviewing our options regarding which devices to be on and aim to provide the best possible experience for viewers using our apps. However, All4 is currently available on various other platforms and devices such as: Sky, Virgin Media, via our website, iOS app, Android mobile app, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, YouView, Freeview Play, Now TV boxes, Chromecast, Playstation 4 and Xbox One.

Jeepers

 I’ve now had my third reply from Google. The first two told me that they were referring my query to the best teams. The third suggested I check this thread for help. 

Not quite sure why it’s taken this many days to generate a more or less information less, automatic reply. Hmm. 

V glad it’s sorted though. 

BBC on the other hand have replied and were useful and told me about the update (although I’d discovered it by then). 

So although I’m now pretty happy with my Google TV, I don’t get the feeling that Google are gonna help me with any issues down the line.