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, especially since Apple started selling music and other media on iTunes since it was split into several other apps. Apple TV is one such app that focuses on movies and television and is also available to people outside of the Apple ecosystem, with some exceptions. Can you watch Apple TV on Android? Does Apple TV have an Android app? Is there a difference between using Apple TV on Android phones and mobile devices and on Android TVs?
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Using Apple TV on your Android streaming devices is pretty easy. You can download the Apple TV app on most Android TV streaming devices. Just download the app from Google Play and you’re good to go. If you’re mobile, you can still use Apple TV on your Android phone or tablet, but you’ll need to access it through your mobile browser.
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What is Apple TV
Apple TV is, quite confusingly, more than a service.
The original Apple TV is a streaming device. The device is hardware that plugs into your TV, connecting it to your home Wi-Fi network and allowing you to use various apps.
Apple TV is also an independent streaming app that is sold separately from the streaming device. It allows you to organize your various streaming services in one place, making them centrally searchable and more convenient to integrate.
To use Apple TV, you must create an Apple ID to sign in. This is free and does not require an Apple device.
Can I watch Apple TV or Apple TV Plus on Android?
Yes. Apple TV is no longer just a piece of Apple hardware. While you can still use an Apple TV streaming device, you can download the Apple TV app on most Android devices as well. As long as it’s version 8 or higher, you’re good to go.
The app is also compatible with most other non-Apple devices including Google, Roku, Fire TV, LG, Samsung, Sony and more. In some cases, you can use Apple’s own AirPlay to cast Apple TV content to your smart TV or streaming device. However, this is not possible on an Android device.
The Apple TV Plus streaming service, which is separate from Apple TV, is included in the Apple TV app. You need to sign up and pay a monthly or annual fee to access Apple TV Plus streaming content, but you don’t need to download any additional apps.
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 is no dedicated app. Instead, you need to go to the Apple TV website in your mobile browser. From there, you can log into your Apple account and start using the service. It’s not perfect, but it does give you access to your Apple TV services.
Much more streamlined is the experience of using Apple TV on an Android TV. If you have an Android Smart TV, all you have to do is download the Apple TV app from the Google Play Store. Then sign in with your Apple ID and you’re all set.
Continue reading: Roku vs Apple TV
frequently asked Questions
no While many Amazon, LG, Roku, and other non-Apple devices are compatible with Airplay, Android is not.
no While Apple TV Plus is part of the Apple TV app, Apple TV is a free service while Apple TV Plus is a paid add-on.
Yes, but unlike an A-Android TV, there is no Apple TV mobile app for Android. You must sign in to Apple TV using a mobile web browser such as Chrome.
Yes, the Apple TV app and website are accessible without the Apple TV device.
