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How to watch Apple TV on an Android device
Apple has been a notoriously closed system since its inception. The global tech giant likes to keep everything in-house. You buy Apple hardware: you use Apple software. But there have always been exceptions. Apple TV is one such app, focused on film and TV, and it’s similarly available to folks outside the Apple ecosystem, still with some exceptions. So, can you watch Apple TV on Android? Does Apple TV have an Android app?
Read on for a breakdown of how to watch Apple TV on Android devices, including phones, tablets, and TVs.
QUICK ANSWER
Using Apple TV on your Android streaming devices is pretty straightforward. You can download the Apple TV app onto most Android TV streaming devices. Simply download the app from the Google Play Store, and you're good to go.
Sadly, the app isn't compatible with other non-TV devices. You'll have to access it through a browser by going to tv.apple.com. It's also possible to get Apple TV Plus through Amazon Prime Video, as an add-on subscription.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
What is Apple TV
Apple TV is, rather confusingly, more than one thing.
The original Apple TV is a streaming device. It is a piece of hardware that plugs into your TV, connects to your home Wi-Fi network, and allows you to use various apps. It’s pretty much a smart TV box.
Apple TV is also an independent streaming app, available separately from the streaming device. It allows you to organize your various streaming services in one place, making them centrally searchable and more conveniently integrated.
Additionally, there is Apple TV Plus. This is a subscription streaming service featuring original content, both in the form of movies and shows. We’ll talk more about this in the next section.
To use Apple TV, you must create an Apple ID to log in. This is free and does not require an Apple device.
Can I watch Apple TV or Apple TV Plus on Android?
Watching Apple TV on Android is possible, but not every Android device can do this natively. While the Apple TV app is readily available from the Google Play Store, only Android TV devices are compatible with it.
The app is also compatible with most other non-Apple TVs and streaming boxes, including Google TV, Roku, Fire TV, LG, Samsung, Sony, and more. Sometimes, you can use Apple’s own AirPlay to cast Apple TV content to your smart TV or streaming device.
The Apple TV Plus streaming service features original content, including movies and shows. This is separate from Apple TV, and is integrated into the Apple TV service. You’ll need to sign up and pay a monthly fee to access Apple TV Plus streaming content. It costs $9.99 a month, or you can get it by signing up for Apple One, which starts at $19.95 monthly. You can also test it for seven days, if you haven’t signed up in the past. Sometimes, you get a free multi-month trial if you purchase Apple hardware.
There are actually a couple of ways to watch Apple TV Plus content on Android. Let’s go over these methods in the next section.
How to watch Apple TV on Android
Let’s start with the bad news. If you want to use Apple TV on your Android mobile device, the experience isn’t ideal. There’s no dedicated app. Instead, you’ll have to go to the Apple TV website on your mobile browser, or access it indirectly through Amazon Prime Video.
How to watch Apple TV Plus on Android using a browser:
- Launch your browser of choice. We like Chrome.
- Enter tv.apple.com in the address bar and hit Enter.
- Tap on Sign In.
- Enter your email and hit Continue.
- Choose whether you want to Continue with Password or Sign in with iPhone. Follow the instructions to sign in.
- You’re in!
As already mentioned, Apple TV Plus is now available as an add-on through Amazon Prime Video. This means you can subscribe and access Apple TV Plus content through the Prime Video app. Let’s go over how to do this.
How to watch Apple TV Plus on Android using Amazon Prime Video:
- Download and Install Amazon Prime Video from the Google Play Store. Launch it and sign into your Amazon account.
- Tap on the Channels section.
- Under Subscriptions – Sponsored, select Apple TV Plus.
- Tap on any video.
- Select Watch with Apple TV+ Start your 7-day free trial.
- You’ll get an Apple TV Plus page letting you know you get a 7-day free trial, as well as the monthly price after this period. Select Start your 7-day free trial.
- Start watching!
The experience of using Apple TV on an Android TV is much more streamlined. If you have an Android smart TV, all you have to do is download the Apple TV app from the Google Play store. Then, log in with your Apple ID, and you’re all set.
FAQs
No. While many Amazon, LG, Roku, and other non-Apple devices are compatible with Airplay, Android is not.
No. While Apple TV Plus comes as part of the Apple TV app, Apple TV is a free service, while Apple TV Plus is a paid add-on.
Yes, but unlike on an Android TV, there is no Apple TV mobile app for Android. You’ll have to log into Apple TV via a mobile web browser like Chrome. Alternatively, you can sign up for Apple TV Plus and watch the service’s content through Amazon Prime Video.
Yes, the Apple TV app and website are accessible without an Apple TV device.