DirecTV stream streaming box after cancelling service

Was there a resolution for this issue? I cancelled my DirecTV Stream account November 2021 and was able to use the device like a Firestick or Roku, i.e. was able to access the downloaded apps (Netflix, Hulu, etc) and watch from those. However, we lost access to using the box as a streaming device two days ago (2/22/2023). It's now asking for login credentials for DirecTV Stream, which we haven't had since November 2021. Anyone know what happened and if this is medium is no longer viable (unless we activate an account, again)? It sounds like a money campaign for ATT/DirecTV. If that's the case, I'll just toss it.

You are the first I have ever heard that has been able to use the box after their subscription expired. How was that possible? I am sure 100's would like to know the trick. Once your subscription expired, how in the world were you able to log in to get to the apps?

According to their Terms and Conditions for the device, you should be able to continue using those login credentials to access the other apps on it even after your subscription ends.  If this doesn’t work, I would contact DTV Support and ask why, and if they don’t offer a useful response, I would file a BBB complaint. That’s been known to get responses from more senior people than front-line Support reps. 

@bcbsncjlj No idea. When I cancelled in 2021, I asked the rep I was speaking to if I had to ship the hardware/device back and how to return it. They said I owned it/was mine to use to continue as a streaming device. I turned the box on and that was it. Was able to use it for any streaming platform app that was available in the Play store that I used. Was even able to continue to download more apps. For sure wasn't paying for any additional ATT services. Was also using it to cast as well because Apple+ wasn't available to use (understandably). I called DirecTV support and said that it's possible the device's software updated and made it unavailable to use without a subscription. Was nice while it lasted.

That is true - you buy the box. I have never heard of anyone able to use the box after their subscription expired. Of course, as you have found out, if you can not log in to the device it's a brick! I think that maybe your credentials somehow got skipped and in a clean-up was finally disabled. My guess.

Guess all you want. They say in a legal document that you can continue to use it, so it isn’t acceptable for them (or you) to just throw up hands and say sorry.  They for sure would hold a customer to the letter of the T&C, so they should be held also, and if they don’t make it right without pressure, then BBB complaints and such seem reasonable next steps. 

Guess all you want. They say in a legal document that you can continue to use it, so it isn’t acceptable for them (or you) to just throw up hands and say sorry.  

Of course, their legal documents also give them the right to change their terms whenever they want. It's just puzzling that sometimes, rarely, the Stream box continues to function without a subscription. 

That isn't totally true for the device - they have a clause indicating they can make changes "To the extent not prohibited by law" and by "making the modified agreement available at att.com".  In most jurisdictions, the former clause would prevent them from removing that sort of capability from a device purchased when the capability was in place (post hoc changes of that sort are generally illegal) and in any case they haven't posted any such change.  So despite what all the naysayers keep insisting, they said it does and can't just say no - and I have no idea why you keep defending them on this.

Also, the T&C says you can't sell the device, but that is another clause that would be unlikely to hold up in court (and obviously people do sell them).

Don't get me wrong. I'm certainly not defending them on this. They say it should work, so it should work. But that doesn't mean they'll ever make it work. These contracts are clearly one-sided. And how would one sue them over this? Contract limits us to "binding arbitration". 

No, you can't sue.  But if Support isn't helpful (even with escalation), then as I said earlier, back in the AT&T days, complaints to the BBB generally got a response from higher up.  (I don't know if "The Office of the President" group was different from or at a different level than Loyalty, but either is better than front-line Support.)  That may not get the desired result, but pointing them at the relevant section of the T&C should get some response more than ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

DirecTV's Streaming Device will not work without DirecTV.  Just spent 30+ minutes on phone with Tech who seemed a little confused that I had been told boxes would work after cancellation of service and that was why I had to pay for the boxes when I cancelled service.  Could not get either of the boxes to work.  I had been charged $280 by DirecTV for four boxes when I cancelled; boxes that are now useless.  Thankfully, Tech had common sense and refunded my $280 after trying really hard to get boxes to work and provided instructions on how to return boxes to DirecTV.  

This says a lot about DirecTV.  I have also filed a complaint with the BBB against them.  They refused to send out a Tech when we had service issue with the boxes from the start saying they would walk us through correcting the issues.  In the middle of a program, boxes would just shut down or we could not get them to come on at all sometimes! Mind you, all of our boxes and TVs are wall mounted and required the use of a ladder to get to the boxes to unplug/re-plug wires. My husband is legally blind, I suffer from vertigo and we both are very senior senior citizens. No way were we getting on a ladder!  None of this mattered to DirecTV. They still refused to send out a Tech saying they "do not have Tech to come to homes."  Never mind that a Tech can out to do the initial install.  Ummm.  So I cancelled only to be told I still owed them $280, which they quickly charged to my credit card.  Shame on DirecTV.  Hope this saves others from needless headaches and anxiety.  They will continue to use these tactics as long as we roll over and let them get away with it.  Lies, deceitful tactics and poorly trained employees in other countries seem to be standard practices

for this company in my opinion based upon my experiences.  NEVER again!

I cancelled directTV stream a week ago and can still access and use all my apps.  I get presented with an option to either resubscribe to att or I can click on 'apps'

Are you able to continue to use the device since then? @effutiation

According to the Terms and Conditions that DirecTV applies to the device (https://www.directv.com/legal/directv-stream-terms-of-use-policy/ section 3) you should be able to.  But it’s not clear that they obey that, and I haven’t seen any clear statements from either users or DirecTV, or know if anyone has pursued them on it.