Back in May, Apple removed YouTube channel from the 1st and 2nd generation Apple TV. It was due to Google ending support for its YouTube’s Data API v2, used by older devices. Luckily, there’s FireCore and its aTV Flash (black), a little piece of software that supercharges jailbroken Apple TVs.

With the release of aTV Flash (black) 2.6, FireCore built an all-new native YouTube plugin that provides many of the most popular YouTube features that were taken away in May.

The new plugin works on any jailbroken Apple TV 2 running Apple TV 5.3 firmware version.

This new YouTube plugin allows for browsing of popular videos as well as searching for videos, channels, users, or playlists. The developers said they are also working on a few additional, “neat options” for subsequent releases.

Due to some required behind-the-scenes changes, updating to 2.6 will require re-running the aTV Flash (black) installer from a Mac or PC. Once updated, future releases can be installed through the native Apple TV menus as before. Links for the latest version can be found in your account under the Downloads tab.

If you’re new to aTV Flash (black) you can read our full review here.

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The post YouTube returns to Apple TV 2 appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Last month, Google announced their plans to end support for its YouTube Data API v2 used by older devices, which meant that the YouTube channel would no longer work on older Apple TVs, as only the Apple TV 3 supports the new YouTube Data API v3. Without any warning, Apple has today removed YouTube from the 1st and 2nd gen. Apple TVs.

Both YouTube’s main menu icon and references to the app in Settings dissapeared from the Apple TV 2.

“If you’re using Apple TV 2nd generation or older, unfortunately there’s no current way to watch YouTube on these devices,” noted Google. However, you know well that you can use AirPlay to stream the YouTube content from your iOS device (running iOS 6 or later) or Mac to the 2nd gen. Apple TV.

If you noticed that the YouTube channel has stopped working on your Apple TV 3, you may want to update the software (Settings -> General -> Update Software) to get the latest version of the YouTube app.

Also read: Apple TV 4 with Siri and App Store reportedly coming this June

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post Apple removes YouTube channel from older Apple TVs appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.