Open the Apple TV app, play an owned movie in landscape, tap the screen, then tap Extras when the badge exists.
iTunes Extras are the bonus menus that come with select movie purchases from Apple. They can include deleted scenes, cast interviews, short features, commentary clips, gag reels, storyboards, and behind-the-scenes footage. On iPhone, the trick is not only finding the right movie. You also need to start playback, turn the phone sideways, and bring up the controls.
The Extras button won’t appear for every title. It also won’t appear for rentals, many standard-definition purchases, or movies opened through some third-party TV apps. Use the steps below to find the badge, open the bonus menu, and fix the usual reasons it stays hidden.
Accessing iTunes Extras On iPhone Without Missing The Button
Start in the Apple TV app, not the old iTunes Store app. Your purchased movies live under Library. From there, the iPhone experience is a little tucked away, which is why many people think the feature vanished.
- Open the Apple TV app on your iPhone.
- Tap Library at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose Movies, then tap the movie you bought.
- Check the movie page for an iTunes Extras badge.
- Tap Play.
- Rotate your iPhone into landscape view.
- Tap the screen once to show the playback controls.
- Tap Extras if it appears.
Apple’s own iTunes Extras help page says the Extras control appears while viewing the media in landscape mode. That small detail matters. In portrait view, the button may be missing from the control bar, even when the movie has bonus content.
Where The Badge Shows Up
The badge appears on the movie’s description page. Don’t rely on the store artwork, trailer row, or search results. Open the movie page from your Library and scan the area near the title details. If there’s no badge there, the movie may not include Extras on your account.
Some movies sold by Apple include rich bonus menus. Others include only the film. Studios decide what bonus content ships with each title, and the set can differ by country or region.
Why Playback Must Start First
On iPhone, Extras are reached through the player controls. That means you won’t always see a big “Extras” menu before the movie starts. Play the movie, rotate the phone, tap the screen, and then use the control that appears.
This feels odd the first time, but it also prevents clutter on the movie page. Once you know the pattern, it takes only a few taps.
Check These Requirements Before You Troubleshoot
If the button still isn’t there, run through the purchase rules before changing settings. Most missing Extras problems come down to title eligibility, purchase type, region, or device limits.
Here’s the broad check that saves the most time:
| Check | What It Means | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Movie Has A Badge | The title includes iTunes Extras in Apple’s catalog. | Open the movie page from Library and look for the badge. |
| Movie Was Purchased | Extras are tied to bought movies, not rentals. | Confirm the movie is in your purchase library. |
| HD Purchase | Older SD purchases may not include bonus content. | Check whether your copy was bought in HD. |
| Apple TV App Used | iPhone access runs through Apple’s TV app. | Open Library inside the Apple TV app. |
| Landscape View | The Extras control appears in the landscape player. | Start the movie, rotate the phone, then tap the screen. |
| Strong Internet | Bonus menus may need online access. | Try Wi-Fi, or allow cellular data for the TV app. |
| Supported Device | iPhone works, but smart TV apps may not show Extras. | Use iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, or iTunes for Windows. |
| Region Access | Extras can differ by country or region. | Check the title in the store for your region. |
If you bought the movie long ago, the date can matter. Apple says movies bought with iTunes Extras before July 10, 2014 may have an older Extras download available through the iTunes Store on a Mac or PC with iTunes. That older copy can show as a separate library item.
Fixes When The Extras Button Is Missing
Start with the simple fixes. They solve most cases without wiping downloads or signing out of your Apple Account.
Switch To Wi-Fi Or Allow Cellular Data
Extras can fail to load on a weak connection. Join Wi-Fi, reopen the Apple TV app, and test the movie again. If you’re using mobile data, open iPhone Settings, find the TV app, and make sure cellular data is allowed.
This matters more for bonus menus than for the movie file itself. A downloaded movie can play fine while its bonus menu still needs a fresh network check.
Update iOS And The Apple TV App
Run the latest iOS version your iPhone can install. Then open the App Store and check whether the Apple TV app has an update. Old software can cause playback controls to behave oddly, especially after account or store changes.
After updating, restart the phone. Then open Apple TV, return to Library, and test the same movie again in landscape view.
Redownload The Movie
If the movie page looks wrong or the artwork seems stale, remove the download and grab a fresh copy. Apple’s redownload purchased movies page lists the iPhone flow: open Apple TV, tap Library, choose the movie, and tap the Download button.
Redownloading can refresh the local file and metadata. It won’t add Extras to a title that never included them, but it can fix a bad local copy.
Check The Account Used To Buy The Movie
Extras are tied to the purchase. If your family shares purchases, or if you used more than one Apple Account across the years, make sure you’re signed in with the account that bought the film.
- Check Purchase History for the title.
- Look under Family Sharing if a family member bought it.
- Search Library, not only the Store page.
- Make sure the movie is not hidden from purchases.
If the movie appears in purchase history but won’t redownload, Apple’s redownload issue steps point to hidden purchases, account mismatches, and purchase reporting as the next checks.
Device Differences That Catch People Out
The same purchase can feel different across screens. iPhone and iPad use the landscape playback controls. Mac and Apple TV can show Extras in different places. Smart TV apps are more limited.
| Device | Can Play iTunes Extras? | Where To Start |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Yes | Apple TV app, Library, movie playback in landscape |
| iPad | Yes | Apple TV app, Library, landscape playback controls |
| Mac | Yes | Apple TV app Library |
| Apple TV Box | Yes | Apple TV app Library |
| Windows PC | Yes | iTunes for Windows movie library |
| Smart TV App | No | Use another Apple device instead |
If you were trying on a smart TV and saw no bonus menu, your purchase may still be fine. Open the same movie on iPhone and use the landscape control method. That quick test separates a device limit from a purchase problem.
Best Way To Watch Extras On A Bigger Screen
If you want the bonus clips on a TV, the cleanest route is an Apple TV box. Open the Apple TV app there, go to Library, pick the movie, and open the Extras menu from the title page or player.
You can also start on iPhone and use AirPlay when your TV or streaming setup accepts it. Results can vary by device, network, and content rights. If AirPlay stutters, use the Apple TV box or a Mac connected to the screen.
What Not To Waste Time On
Don’t search the App Store for a separate iTunes Extras app. There isn’t one. Don’t expect the old iTunes Store app on iPhone to be the main viewing spot. The Apple TV app is where your purchased movie library and playback controls now sit.
Also, don’t buy a second copy of the movie just to chase the button. Check the badge, purchase type, region, and account first. If those all line up and the button still fails, report the purchase problem through Apple rather than paying again.
Fast Checks Before You Give Up
Use this short pass when you’re stuck:
- Open the movie from Library, not from search alone.
- Confirm the iTunes Extras badge appears on the movie page.
- Start the movie, rotate to landscape, tap the screen, then tap Extras.
- Try Wi-Fi if cellular playback is spotty.
- Update iOS, restart the iPhone, and test again.
- Redownload the movie if the local copy seems broken.
- Try another Apple device if a smart TV app shows no menu.
When a movie qualifies, the process is simple: Apple TV app, Library, movie page, playback, landscape, Extras. Once you know where Apple hides the control, those bonus scenes are much easier to reach.
References & Sources
- Apple.“If You Can’t View Your iTunes Extras.”States where the iTunes Extras badge appears, which devices can play Extras, and how to open Extras on iPhone in landscape playback.
- Apple.“Redownload TV Shows And Movies That You Purchased.”Gives the iPhone steps for redownloading purchased movies from the Apple TV app Library.
- Apple.“If There’s An Issue When You Redownload Apps, Movies, Or Other Content From Apple.”Lists account, hidden purchase, and redownload checks for purchased Apple media.