Just FYI, someone posted that the “change unwatched” back out, “changed unwatched again” back out, back in sequence didn’t work
I can attest to that. It seems to always work for flyryan. It sometimes works for me (making this a MUCH bigger problem for me).
Also, someone said it must be a bug in ATV client and can’t be a bug in the server. I disagree in spite of the evidence. What if there is a function for a client to register for updates and the server side is broken. Other clients may not use that function and may refresh periodically (client initiated) or refresh on certain events like changing screen (again client initiated). This (completely hypothetical) scenario would be ATV bugless, server buggy, problem only shows up on ATV client.
I do understand a developer saying why would we put in a patch (refresh button) when we are committed to fixing it properly (server side apparently). I commend them for not patching because that causes crappy, bloated code with extra GUI features that are unnecessary when it’s finally fixed (they rarely get removed). What I do say, though, is that even though I just commended them, I am absolutely appauled at the incredibly low priority they set to this. If the server fix is a very complicated fix that will take a long time then prudence says to put in the patch for now and make the removal of the patch part of the permanent fix.
We don’t keep score in months any more. Now we keep score in YEARS and we are over half a year. Rounded to the nearest whole number that would be 1 year!!!
This should be embarassing for Plex.
Still love the product but OMG I can’t believe this one.
Plex doesn’t care… darcilicious has tried to address this issue as best as possible, but the people who are profiting off your Plex Pass purchase don’t give a crap. I’ve recently switched to Emby and although it is not perfect, seeing the UI update as soon as something is watched or added makes it light years better than Plex. I only keep an eye on this issue now because it really is amazing it hasn’t been fixed yet and I’m curious to see how long Plex drags it out…
Just to add another data point, I too am seeing the stale content issue. This is running the most recent Plex Server beta (1.18.1.1973). I’m using the force quit app (on Apple TV) and restarting the app to force a client side refresh.
I’ve also tried a brand new Plex Server install on a different machine only adding a couple of bits of content and I’m still seeing the stale content issue.
Another potential point of interest - I’m also seeing the stale content issue on the ios versions of Plex. But there it’s not a problem, as the ios version of Plex has pull to refresh.
Keeping thread alive. Add me to the list of people who have been using Plex since day 1 (and XBMC before that). I have loved Plex for a long time. In recent years it’s really gone downhill. Bought the lifetime plexpass just to support them. I would not do that today.
The main “feature” of Plex for me was how wife friendly it is (was). We’re techy - we could just play files easily. However I want a nice polished experience for my family. Plex used to provide that. Now I have to explain to my wife that she has to click “unplayed” to show all and then do it again or just kill the app to see items that get added to the library?? What? That’s janky as heck. Embarrassing.
I have stopped recommending Plex and am actively looking for a replacement.
This is exactly right and that’s what makes this so frustrating. The iOS app and the tvOS app work exactly the same with the exception of having the refresh functionality on iOS. It annoys me that they made sure to keep the functionality on the iOS app because they obviously knew of the problem but removed the functionality for the tvOS app without fixing the underlying problem.
It pains me that I can’t find a suitable alternative to Plex. It’s especially frustrating for me because I’m able to use my un-updated app in my bedroom and reload to my heart’s content but can’t do the same on any of my other clients. It’s super annoying that a year old vesion of Plex handles this issue just fine (even with the latest Plex Media Server) but the latest version doesn’t.
I’m not entirely sure but I suspect that the swipe down to reload is a built-in iOS function whose counterpart is not available on tvOS which is why there was a “reload” button at all on the Plex app for the Apple TV.
So just completely reset my Plex library and rebuilt everything to make sure it wasn’t something odd going on my end. Still having the problem. The stale content appears to be mainly happening on Personal Media Movies - ie home video type content where the library type is Movie and Personal Media metatdata agent is selected.
On ios and atv, the Recommended tab gets refreshed from the server, but the Library tab view doesn’t. (this is when I try switching to a different library source and switching back).
TV shows using the regular TheTVDB agent and Movies with the Plex Movie agent are updated for me on both ios and atv.
Is anyone else seeing this behaviour - ie a refresh happening for normal tv and movies but not if you just have a library with a random assortment of home movie (videos of the family etc) type content? And the web interface to Plex is always showing the correct (ie not stale) content perfectly.
So it is not only me having this problem. It is shocking to see that this exists now for more than half a year without getting rid of this bug. I did not notice it because I tried another player but went back to plex two months ago only because I was missing the unwatched indicator. This behaviour is so annoying and should be easy to fix.
I was having the same problem and found this thread was surprised how long this has been a problem. I kept scrolling through it expecting a solution, but no. I got my parents an Apple tv because I thought it would be the easiest for them to use and it was, until this refresh bug started. The unchecking of filters is an okay workaround for me but there’s no way my parent’s who are in their 70’s can wrap their heads around it. It’s disappointing that the devs are so dead set against putting the refresh button back. Hopefully it’s not another six plus months before there’s an update to fix this.
As sad as it is, this stupid thing is still there.
How hard is it to re-add the reload button?
I’m very close to chucking plex for this because I add shows and movies all the time and i hate having to jump through hoops to get it to update
Just to maybe try help provide more information on this issue, it’s only happening to me on libraries using the Scanner: Plex Video Files Scanner and Agent: Personal Media. The regular TV and Movie scanners are working fine (ie the auto update with fresh information).
Just bought a new apple tv this past weekend, and noticed this almost immediately. It’s disappointing to see this was reported over 6 months ago and no fix has been implemented. I do not have this issue on my Roku’s as every-time I enter a library it is refreshed. Not sure why this is not the case with AppleTV. The issue is compounded by the fact that navigating with this POS they call a remote is tedious. I sense a return in my near future.
No, that’s not what we’re seeing. On TV and Movies, we are not seeing libraries update automatically when something has been added, removed, or watched since opening the app. The library will usually be accurate on first view but if something new gets added or you finish watching an episode/movie, the library won’t reflect that unless you do something to force an update.
The old app used to have a “Reload Library” button at the top but that has been removed in the new interface. Now, as a workaround, most of us go into the library filter, uncheck unwatched (or check if it was off) and then check it back. That forces the library to rebuild.
Oh interesting - so tv and movies are auto updating for me (Plex Server lastest beta running on a mac and connecting to an ATV4) but the personal media agent ones aren’t. I wonder what the differences we have between our setups that are causing the difference.
Of course, the whole problem would go away if the plex gods just brought back the refresh button - even hide it away in a menu if they don’t want to see it
