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iPad won't play rented movies in airplane mode

I rented three iTunes movies on my computer, then transferred them to my iPad to watch on an airplane ride. Once in flight, with iPad in airplane mode, I keep getting a message telling me that the movies cannot be played. What am I doing wrong? I used to be able to do this no problem with my iPhone...why not my iPad?

Thanks!

Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Posted on Jun 21, 2010 6:04 PM

Reply
15 replies

Jun 21, 2010 7:52 PM in response to lmhagood

For the time-being, instead of turning on airplane mode, can you just turn the "cellular data" switch to OFF in the settings? Hope that helps.

Jun 25, 2010 3:17 PM in response to pkincy

Had this problem on my current trIp. Rented multiple movies. I was only able to watch the one I started to view before departure. Couldn't even watch at connecting airport (europe). When I got to hotel and connected to wi-fi I was once again able to view. I had it in airplane and was able to view at hotel. So I don't think it has to do with airplane mode. Bummer looking forward to getting a few movies out of the way.

Jun 25, 2010 7:03 PM in response to lmhagood

I've had this happen to me twice now.

First was with a TV series I purchased - the first episode wouldn't play past the first 1 1/2 minute. The second was with a movie that locked up 2 1/2 minutes in.

I purchased the media through iPad iTunes but even when I transferred them over to my MacBook they failed to play.

I have a ticket in - I expect a refund.

Nov 24, 2013 8:52 PM in response to lmhagood

This is so frustrating and it happens to me ALL the time. I call them all the time and get credits. How hard is it to fix this problem that has been going on for years. Can someone tell me of somewhere else I can take my rental busines to where this won't happen? I'm completely done with wasting time and money on itunes when evey time I get on a plane it won't play. I even have problems with tv shows I have bought. My computer screen shows only two episodes synched - which is what I want. When I go on ipad there's 20 shows with the cloud and the two I want are on the cloud - not downloaded. It's BEYOND frustrating. I can't get the other episodes off my screen - I don't want all the clutter for movies and shows that are not on my ipad - but hitting the edit button as everyone suggests does nothing. Apple is turning into a PC and it makes me sad because there ease of use is why I've been so loyal. If I have to be an engineer to rent movies I won't pay extra for apple products.

Dec 25, 2013 6:04 AM in response to lmhagood

HOW TO PLAY RENTED/PURCHASED MOVIES ON THE AIRPLANE WITHOUT INTERNET CONNECTION (i.e., AIRPLANE MODE) on IPAD/IPHONE.


Here are the steps:

1. RENT/BUY the movies a few hours before getting on the plane.

2. Make sure to COMPLETELY DOWNLOAD the movie to your device. Usually, depending on the internet connection you have it might take a couple of minute to a few hours to have it all downloaded on your device. For example, I have downloaded a movie of 3.2 Gb in about 40min.

3. Check to see if the movie was COMPLETELY DOWNLOADED by opening the movie in the VIDEO app.

4. While in the plane, open the movie through the VIDEO APP. A lot of people try to open the movies through ITUNES. you are wasting your time because it will never work. If you want to check you movie before getting on the plane, just put your device in AIRPLANE MODE and give it a shot.


IF YOU FOLLOW ALL THESE STEPS YOU WILL HAVE A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE ON THE FLIGHT!

iPad won't play rented movies in airplane mode

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