Skip to main content

Apple has just rolled out a useful update to improve your iTunes movies experience

Up to now, if you rented a movie on iTunes, you had to finish watching it on the same device. In other words, if you started watching it on your Apple TV one evening and wanted to watch the rest of it in bed on an iPad or iPhone, you couldn’t. There was no way of switching between devices to carry on from where you left off.

Apple has finally put that right with an iTunes update rolled out on Tuesday.

Version 12.6 of the media-playing software offers what the company calls a “rent once, watch anywhere” feature, telling users, “Now you can enjoy your movie rentals across your devices with iOS 10.3 and tvOS 10.2.”

Ah, hang on … the more observant among you will have noticed that those two software versions aren’t officially out yet, though with both currently available in beta — and with Apple citing them as part of its iTunes update — it shouldn’t be at all long before they make it to the masses.

Regardless of whether you watch a rented iTunes movie on one device or on several, don’t forget that you have 24 hours (in the U.S.) or 48 hours (non-U.S. locations) to finish it. And you must start watching it within 30 days of renting it or you’ll have to start over. You can grab the latest iTunes update now from the Mac App Store.

Apple’s iTunes update came on the same day that the tech titan quietly rolled out a couple of new products — an all-new 9.7-inch iPad called simply “iPad” that replaces the iPad Air 2, and a special-edition “Product (RED)” iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. A few other extras were also pushed out by the company on Tuesday — here’s an overview of everything you need to know.

Editors' Recommendations

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Apple just released iOS 17.4. Here’s how it’s going to change your iPhone
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro showing the screens.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro (left) and iPhone 15 Pro Max Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If you have an iPhone, you'll want to check it right now for a big update. The iOS 17.4 update is officially rolling out right now and it includes some fairly significant new features.

Read more
Belkin drops a $50 mount for iPhone video calls on Apple TV 4K
The Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe for Apple TV 4K.

We've previously written that the addition of FaceTime and Continuity Camera to Apple TV 4K is a perfect excuse to have some sort of tripod for your iPhone in the living room. Belkin just took that idea and made it a little easier (and less expensive than our idea).

Enter the appropriately named iPhone Mount with MagSafe for Apple TV 4K. Retailing for just under $50, it's ... well, it's a MagSafe iPhone mount to use in conjunction with video calls on your Apple TV 4K. No cables required. No power needed. Just a simple way to position your iPhone to use when on FaceTime, Zoom, Webex, or the "Sing" feature on Apple Music.

Read more
What iPhone do I have? How to find out your iPhone model number
Close-up of the iPhone SE 2022 and iPhone 14 Plus camera modules.

Since its landmark introduction in 2007, Apple has released 42 iPhone models, and with at least four new ones introduced every fall, the company is showing no signs of slowing down.

In all that time, Apple has made relatively few significant design changes. The company tends to stick with established designs for three or four years before changing things up, which can sometimes make it difficult to tell which iPhone model you have —  especially if you're getting a secondhand iPhone (with no box to offer a hint) rather than a new one.

Read more