To view Apple TV show purchases, open the TV app’s Library, pick Purchased, then filter by Shows on any device.
You paid for those seasons and episodes—now you want them at your fingertips. The TV app keeps every paid show in one place across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and the web. This guide gives you fast paths, smart filters, and fixes when the list seems off.
Ways To Check Purchased Shows In The TV App
The steps are nearly the same on each screen. You open the TV app, head to Library, then pick the right view. If you don’t see a full list yet, give the app a moment to sync.
| Device | Menu Path | Quick Notes |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone/iPad | TV app > Library > Purchased > Shows | Pull down to refresh if the grid looks stale. |
| Mac | TV app > Library > Recently Added / Purchased > TV Shows | Use the sidebar; switch views with the top tabs. |
| Apple TV box | TV app > Library > TV Shows | Hold the clickpad to bring up options on a show. |
| Web (tv.apple.com) | Sign in > Library > TV Shows | Use the profile menu for account changes. |
Use Filters, Sort, And Search
Large libraries feel easier when you lean on the built-in tools. In Library, switch to TV Shows. Then try these moves:
- Search: Type the series name or a lead actor to jump fast.
- Sort: On iOS and Mac, sort by Recently Added or Title.
- Hide rentals: Stay in Purchased or TV Shows to avoid rentals clutter.
- Check hidden items: If something is missing, you may have hidden it by mistake; unhide it from your account settings.
Why The Same Library Appears Everywhere
Each device reads the same account data. When you buy a season on the phone, it shows up on the living room screen too. That sync runs through your Apple ID and purchase history. If a change takes time to show, keep the TV app open on Wi-Fi for a minute.
Make Sure You’re On The Right Account
A mismatch between the TV app and the App Store can split your list. Check two places: the TV app profile and the system Apple ID. Keep them on the same sign-in.
- Check the TV app: Open the profile icon in the TV app, then confirm the Apple ID at the top.
- Check system settings: On iPhone or iPad, open Settings and look at the banner at the top. On Mac, open System Settings > Apple ID.
- Align them: If they differ, sign out of the TV app, then sign in with the same Apple ID you used to buy the shows.
View Your Order List
If you need a line-by-line list with dates and charges, open your official order list. That page shows each TV season, episode, and refund tied to your Apple ID. Use it to confirm that a title belongs to the account you’re using.
Open purchase history in a browser, then filter by date range or view All.
Redownload TV Episodes And Seasons
You don’t need to store everything on every device. Keep storage light, then tap the cloud icon when you want to watch. If the cloud badge doesn’t show, use the download buttons on the item detail page.
Need a fresh copy on a new device? Follow Apple’s steps to redownload TV shows. That page also covers hidden purchases and family sharing quirks.
Family Sharing Notes
In a Family Sharing group, eligible show purchases can show up in the family member’s Library. Each person can hide items from the shared list. If you can’t find a relative’s season, ask them to check hidden items or turn on sharing for purchases.
Fix Missing Or Incomplete Lists
When the grid looks wrong, work through these quick checks before you contact support. Most issues come down to account mix-ups, stale cache, or content hidden on purpose.
| Problem | Fix | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Purchased season not showing | Confirm Apple ID in TV app and system; refresh Library; check hidden items. | TV app & Settings |
| Only rentals appear | Switch view to Library > TV Shows or Purchased. | TV app |
| Wheel keeps spinning | Force-quit TV app; reopen on Wi-Fi; restart device. | Device |
| HD vs. 4K mix | Open item page and pick the correct version; check purchase details. | TV app |
| Family title missing | Ask the buyer to unhide the item; confirm sharing for purchases is on. | Family settings |
| Wrong region content | Make sure the Apple ID region matches the content region used on purchase. | Account |
Refresh The Library Cache
On iPhone and iPad, open Library, pull down until you see the spinner, then release. On Mac, switch views once or quit and reopen the app. On Apple TV, double-press TV/Home, swipe up on the app card, then relaunch.
Sign Out And Back In
If the list still looks off, sign out of the TV app, restart the device, then sign in again. This step clears stale tokens and forces a clean sync. Make sure you know the right Apple ID before you start.
Tips That Save Taps
- Add to Up Next: From a season page, add the series to Up Next so new episodes sit at the front of the queue.
- Use voice: Say the series name to Siri on the remote or the phone to jump straight to the title page.
- Keep downloads lean: On iPhone, set TV app > Downloads to Wi-Fi only and choose quality to manage storage.
- Check receipts: Email receipts include order numbers that match your order list; save one when you buy a big season.
About Hidden Purchases And Privacy
Hiding a title keeps it out of the Library and shared lists, but it does not delete the sale. You can unhide at any time from account settings in a browser. People in a Family Sharing group can always choose to hide their own items from the shared shelf.
Step-By-Step On Each Screen
Pick your device, then follow the quick path. Each set lands you on the series grid, ready to play or download.
iPhone And iPad
- Open TV.
- Tap Library on the bottom bar.
- Pick Purchased, then choose Shows.
- Pull down to refresh. Tap a series to open the season list.
- Hit the cloud icon to download. Tap the ellipsis to manage or remove downloads.
Mac
- Open TV from the dock or Launchpad.
- In the sidebar, click Library.
- Use the top tabs to switch to TV Shows or Purchased.
- Search in the top-left box to jump to a title.
- Click the cloud button to save episodes for offline viewing.
Apple TV Box
- Open TV on the home screen.
- Move to Library across the top.
- Enter TV Shows. Scroll with the remote ring or touch surface.
- Press and hold on a series to get options like Add to Up Next.
- Press Play to start the next episode at once.
Web Browser
- Go to tv.apple.com and sign in.
- Open Library.
- Choose TV Shows. Use the search box to find a series.
- Play in the browser or send the link to another device.
Understand Purchases vs. Channels And Apps
Not all TV content comes from the same pipe. A paid season from the iTunes Store lives in your Library under your Apple ID. A subscription inside the TV app, branded as a Channel, streams from that partner and renews monthly. A separate app store subscription, such as a network app, may hold its own history and may not place shows in the TV app Library.
- Store purchase: Yours to stream or download from the TV app, subject to content rights.
- Channel subscription: Access tied to an active plan. Cancel and the shows stop streaming.
- Third-party app: Content managed by that app. Open the app to find the show list.
If a season you paid for through a partner app does not show in the TV app, open that app directly. Many apps offer a purchases screen inside their own menus.
Manage Storage, Quality, And Data Use
Downloads help on planes and weak networks. Set the quality once so new downloads stay lean. On iPhone, open Settings > TV > Download Options, then choose the quality and allow downloads on cellular or Wi-Fi only. On Apple TV, storage is streaming-first, so rely on the network and keep the router close.
On Mac, pick the quality in TV > Settings > Playback. Save HD when you want speed and smaller files; keep 4K for the big screen when space allows. You can remove a downloaded season from the Library at any time without losing ownership.
Region, Rights, And Why Some Titles Disappear
Studios control where a show can stream or download. Change your Apple ID region and the catalog can shift. A title you bought stays tied to your account, yet the local store may not carry the same version. That gap can limit new downloads while streaming still works.
Hidden Items: Unhide And Restore
Hiding a series removes it from Library views. People do this to tidy the grid, then forget. To bring it back, open your account on the web, find Hidden Purchases, and unhide the title. The next sync adds it back to the list on every device.
When To Contact Apple
If a paid season never lands in the Library after all checks, reach out to Apple. Keep a receipt handy, plus the Apple ID and the device you used. Support can trace the order, fix account flags, and restore access when records drift.
Once the Library lines up, you can stream or download without fuss on every screen. Keep accounts tidy, use the filters, and lean on the order list when you need proof of purchase.