Google is abandoning the stand-alone Google Play Movies app and folding movie rentals and purchases into a new 'Shop' tab on the Android TV homescreen.

The Google Play Movies & TV app was launched in 2011 as a way to rent and purchase movies. Over time, the app made it to even non-Google Smart TVs but in 2020 with Google TV the company started to phase out the app. The last step is to replace the app on Android TVs.

- "Today, we are excited to introduce the new Shop tab on Android TV. The Shop tab lets you explore movies to buy or rent and make purchases directly on your Android TV," announced Google.


 The new 'Shop' tab on Android TVs

The change relates to older Android TV devices including Nvidia Shield where you will now have to find your purchased movies under the new 'Shop' tab on the homescreen – much like Google TV.


Shop and Library
Google said that in addition to providing access to the store for movie rentals and purchases, the 'Shop' tab will reveal your library of purchased movies including those from YouTube, other Android TV / Google TV devices, and the Google TV mobile app.

- "Starting today, the Shop tab will be rolling out to Android TV devices in the U.S. and globally over the next few weeks," added Google.

Google's movie store has a selection of movies in 4K, HDR10 and Dolby Vision but the catalog of 4K titles is nowhere near as extensive as Apple's.