Ending Support for Legacy Tablo Apps

 It's been more than 12 years since the first Tablo OTA DVRs were shipped. We’re glad our devices helped you enjoy free over-the-air TV for so long.

However, many of the underlying technologies used by legacy Tablo apps and services are becoming obsolete and are no longer maintainable. This is why we are discontinuing support for all legacy Tablo apps on September 1st, 2026.

Table of Contents

• What this Means for Legacy Network-Connected DVR Owners
• What This Means for Legacy TV-Connected DVR Owners
• Current Legacy Tablo App Statuses
• FAQs

What this Means for Legacy Network-Connected DVR Owners

If you own a legacy network-connected Tablo model (Tablo DUAL LITE, Tablo DUAL 128GB, Tablo QUAD, Tablo QUAD 1TB and the original 1 and 2 Tuner Tablo DVRs) legacy Tablo apps will remain accessible but won’t be maintained or updated, and won’t be available to download from app stores after September 1, 2026.

Options Moving Forward

If you have a network-connected legacy Tablo model and have not completed the Legacy Transition steps, we urge you to do so and begin using the newer 4th Generation Tablo apps. These apps are built on modern technology, are easier to maintain and will receive ongoing updates.

Benefits of transitioning to 4th Generation Tablo apps include:

• A fully revamped and easy-to-use interface
• Subscription-free TV guide data and DVR features, including the ability to set series recordings
• Access to 60+ free streaming channels within the 4th Generation Tablo interface (US residents only)

For additional details on the Legacy Transition see:

• What Options Does the Legacy Transition Enable for My Legacy Tablo Device?
• Which Legacy Tablo Models are Compatible with the 4th Generation App?
• How to Enable the Legacy Transition on Your Tablo Device
• Can I Cancel My Tablo Subscription After the Legacy Transition?
• A Guide for Legacy Tablo Customers Considering 4th Generation Tablo Devices/Apps

What This Means for Legacy TV-Connected DVR Owners

If you own a legacy TV-connected Tablo model (DUAL HDMI and Tablo QUAD HDMI), your Tablo’s onboard interface and the legacy Tablo apps that support in-home streaming will remain accessible but won't be maintained or updated. Legacy Tablo apps also won't be available to download from app stores after that date.

Options Moving Forward
Tablo DUAL HDMI and QUAD HDMI owners can continue to use the Tablo’s onboard interface and the legacy Tablo apps that support in-home streaming from TV-connected Tablo devices as long as those apps remain functional.

However, since TV-connected legacy Tablo devices cannot transition to using 4th Generation Tablo apps, it may be advisable to upgrade to a 4th Generation Tablo device if you would like to maintain long-term whole-home functionality.

Current Legacy Tablo App Statuses

FAQs

Why is Tablo ending support for legacy apps?
Technology has evolved significantly over the past decade. Major app platforms no longer support the fundamental building blocks that make legacy Tablo apps work. Apps that use outdated technology can be delisted unilaterally by major app platforms. For example, Google has already removed legacy Tablo apps from the Play Store for failing to meet the minimum Android build version requirements.

Can’t you just update the legacy Tablo apps?
No. The components legacy Tablo apps are built upon are aging and cannot easily be replaced with modern options. It would be like swapping out the stone foundation of a century home with concrete… Arduous, dirty and with the potential to cause significant structural damage. Instead, we chose to build connectivity between network-connected legacy Tablo devices and 4th Generation Tablo apps which are built with modern technology that’s easier to maintain.

How long can I keep using legacy Tablo apps?
You can continue to use legacy Tablo apps as long as those apps remain functional.

Before support for legacy Tablo apps officially ends on September 1st, there is a risk that additional app platforms may delist legacy Tablo apps from stores or that apps may develop fatal bugs.

However, we will not deliberately break legacy Tablo apps or proactively remove them from app stores before September 1st, 2026.  

After that date, legacy Tablo apps previously downloaded to your smart TVs, streaming and mobile devices will remain accessible. If you delete a legacy Tablo app after September 1st, you won’t be able to re-download the app or add it to any additional compatible devices.

Does this mean I can’t contact Tablo Support for help with my legacy device?
You can continue to contact Tablo Support for assistance at any time. However, their ability to provide advanced support and troubleshooting around legacy apps will be limited after September 1^st, 2026. All Knowledge Base articles and resources for older Tablo models can be found in the new legacy section at TabloTV.com/support.

If I switch to using 4th Generation Tablo apps full time, do I still need a subscription for my legacy Tablo?
 4th Generation Tablo apps provide many of the same advanced features as legacy Tablo apps, but without any ongoing fees or subscriptions.

If you have an active TV Guide Data or Premium Service subscription for your legacy network-connected device and don't plan to use legacy Tablo apps moving forward, you can save money by canceling your subscription/s.

I rely on legacy Tablo apps for out-of-home streaming with Tablo Connect. Will that feature be added to 4th Generation Tablo apps?

While 4th Generation Tablo apps don’t support out-of-home streaming today, the engineering team is exploring options that could enable that feature. If Tablo Connect becomes available for newer devices, support for legacy Tablo devices could also be added to the apps. We have no ETA for this.

I rely on legacy Tablo apps for the Automatic Commercial Skip feature. Will that be added to 4th Generation Tablo apps?
 No. Automatic Commercial Skip will not be added to 4th Generation apps or devices. Premium Service Subscriptions, which enable this feature, are no longer offered and the infrastructure that powers commercial skip processing is no longer being maintained. Existing users can continue to use this feature via legacy Tablo apps through the end of this year. 
 

I have an older Samsung or LG smart TV that doesn’t offer a 4th Generation Tablo app. Will that change or do I need to buy a new TV?
 No. While it’s not possible for the newer apps to be distributed to Samsung or LG TVs manufactured prior to 2019, you don’t need to purchase a new television. It’s easy and much more affordable to purchase and connect a compatible streaming stick or box to your existing television to access 4th Generation Tablo apps.

I primarily access my legacy Tablo through my laptop and there’s no 4th Generation Tablo app. Is Tablo planning to create a new app for PC/MAC? 
There are no short-term plans to add a 4th Generation app for PC/MAC. These platforms don’t natively support the playback of over-the-air TV in MPEG-2 format. Unlike legacy network-connected Tablo devices, 4th Generation Tablo hardware doesn’t transcode video from MPEG-2 to a more streaming-friendly format before sending it over the network. As such, playback of content from 4th Generation devices would be limited without specialized player software. The engineering team is investigating the feasibility of adapting existing 4th Generation smart TV apps for this purpose in the future.

I have a Tablo HDMI where the app is built into the device. Will the interface stop working?
 Your TV-connected Tablo device's onboard interface will remain accessible, but won't be maintained or updated.

I have a legacy TV-connected Tablo model that I access often via Roku through the in-home streaming feature. Since my Tablo HDMI can’t be made compatible with 4th Gen apps, will I eventually lose that ability? 
Tablo DUAL HDMI and QUAD HDMI owners can continue to use the Tablo’s onboard interface and the legacy Tablo apps that support in-home streaming from TV-connected Tablo devices as long as those apps remain functional. However, it may be advisable to upgrade to a 4th Generation Tablo device if you would like to maintain long-term whole-home functionality.