The Complete Guide to Accessing Apple TV+ on Android Devices
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In an ever-evolving landscape of video streaming services, Apple TV+ has become well-known for its exclusive, high-quality content. With that in mind, as an Android user, you may wonder if you can access Apple TV on your Android device?
Fortunately, Android users can enjoy Apple TV+, but not in the same seamless way as an iOS user. That being said, there is a pretty quick workaround that makes using Apple TV really easy.
This detailed guide will explore everything there is to know about using Apple TV on Android devices, from watching on your phone to streaming on your Android Smart TV.
So, get comfortable, and let’s delve into the world of Apple TV+ on Android.
What Is Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ is a streaming service that offers a wide range of content, including movies, TV shows and even live sporting events. They primarily focus, however, on original content produced by Apple Studios.
This differs from many popular streaming services, such as Netflix and Prime Video who had originally launched by primarily licensing third-party content.
While some critics think Apple put the cart before the horse in this regard, Apple TV+ has quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality, award-winning content.
Can I Watch Apple TV+ On Android Devices?
Yes, you can watch Apple TV+ on Android, but you’ll need to use a compatible web browser for Android mobile devices to access their platform. We’ll cover this in more detail below.
Google TV and Android smart TV platforms, on the other hand, both support Apple TV+ with very few limitations.
Is There An Apple TV App To Download For Android Smartphones?
Regrettably, there is no official Apple TV app available for Android smartphones. However, you can still access Apple TV+ content on your Android phone by following the steps listed below.
How To Watch Apple TV+ On Your Android Phone
You can easily stream Apple TV+ content on an Android mobile device using your browser. Follow these steps and you’ll even have it set up just as you would an app with the icon added to your Home screen.
Launch your phone’s browser.
Launch a compatible web browser on your Android phone (we recommend Google Chrome, which is the example used in this guide).
Navigate to Apple TV+
Navigate to the Apple TV+ website at tv.apple.com
Sign in with your Apple ID
Sign in using your Apple ID. If you don’t have one, you can create a new Apple ID from the login screen.
Note: If you have trouble subscribing to Apple TV from your Android device, you can subscribe from your computer and then continue by logging in on your phone.
Add Apple TV+ to your Home screen.
Once logged in, select the kebab menu illustrated by 3 vertical dots on the top right side of the screen. From the expanded menu, select “Add to Home screen”.
Position your Apple TV+ icon.
From your phone’s Home screen, you should now find an icon the same as you would any other app. You can move it to any position you like and select it anytime you’d like to open Apple TV+.
Open your new shortcut and browse content.
Browse the available content and choose the show or movie you wish to watch
Can I Watch Apple TV+ On An Android Smart TV?
Yes, there is now a compatible Apple TV+ app for both Android TV and Google TV smart TVs.
You will just need to download the app from the Google Play Store (for Android TVs) or the Apps Tab (when using the Google TV platform).
Apple TV In-App Purchases on Android TV
It’s important to note that Apple TV+ doesn’t permit rentals, purchases, or subscriptions directly from your Android TV. However, you can still buy content on other devices, like an iPhone, iPad, Mac or through the Apple TV app on an Apple device, and then watch it on your Android TV.
You can also purchase on your Windows-powered PC by downloading iTunes. Just be sure, of course, that the iOS device that you use for the purchase is logged into the same account as your Apple TV app on your television.
Using Third-Party Streaming Devices to Watch Apple TV+ on Android TV
If, for some reason, you would run into any trouble watching Apple TV+ on TV, there are alternative options as well. You may, for instance, spring for an Apple TV streaming device, but they are a little pricey.
You can one of the third-party, Apple TV-compatible streaming devices that support the Apple TV app, such as:
- Amazon Fire Stick: Download the Apple TV app on your Amazon Fire TV device and sign in with your Apple ID to stream Apple TV+ content.
- Roku: Roku devices also support the Apple TV app, allowing you to watch Apple TV+ shows and movies on your Android TV.
- Chromecast With Google TV: Google has really stepped it up with Chromecast and their Google TV platform. That said, Apple TV+ is also available on the Chromecast with Google TV.
Whatever your choice for a streaming device, be sure that your streaming device is compatible with the Apple TV app before purchasing.
For a guide to using Apple TV on Fire Stick, also check out this article.
Screen Mirroring Apple TV+ from Your Android Phone to Your TV
You also have the ability to mirror Apple TV from your Android phone to most smart TVs. This method enables you to cast the content playing on your Android phone’s web browser directly to your TV.
Now, truth be told, there are several methods to this depending on your TV and really your phone model as well. We’re going to thoroughly cover the Google Home method, which will allow you to cast any Android phone to any Android TV or Google TV. I’ll also tell you another method if you need it.
- Ensure that your Android phone and Smart TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Download the Google Home app from the Google Play Store.
- Link your TV to your Google Home account. You can find step-by-step instructions on how to do this here.
- In your phone’s Google Home app, go to Devices > (Select your TV) > Cast my screen > Cast screen > Start now.
- On your Android phone, open the Apple TV+ shortcut we set up above or open your web browser and go to tv.apple.com
- Select the program you’d like to cast to your Android TV.
- Once it begins to play, tilt your phone to a horizontal position so that the proper orientation will display on your TV.
If you have a Samsung phone and a Samsung TV (or another smart TV that supports Miracast technology), you can also cast using Smart View. You may be able to use other “casting” methods as well with non-Samsung Android phones that use “Screen Mirroring”, “Cast” or “Wireless Display”.
For the reason that many people may not have a Samsung phone, I included the instruction for using Google Home as it’s more universal. Please note
that the quality and performance of screen mirroring may vary depending on your devices and Wi-Fi connection.
FAQs
Can I access Apple TV on Android devices through a browser?
Yes, you can access Apple TV+ on Android mobile devices using a compatible web browser like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. You’ll just need to sign into your Apple TV+ account using that browser.
Can I download shows from Apple TV+ to my Android device?
Unfortunately, there is no current option to download Apple TV+ shows or movies for offline viewing using Android devices. The only mobile devices that allow Apple TV downloads are iOS device.
Can you access Apple TV+ parental controls on Android?
Yes, you can access and manage Apple TV+ parental controls through a web browser on your Android device. They’re found under your Profile Icon > Settings. Scroll down to Parental Controls.
Can you use Apple TV on your Samsung phone?
You can watch Apple TV on your Samsung phone by using a compatible web browser and going to tv.apple.com.
What devices currently support the Apple TV app?
You can find the Apple TV app on any Apple device, Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, Samsung TVs, LG Smart TVs, Sony, Vizio, Panasonic, VIDAA, and Hisense. Outdated Smart TVs may not support Apple TV, however.
Will there ever be an Apple TV app for Android mobile devices?
There have been rumors that Apple will eventually release an Apple TV app for Android mobile devices, but never anything concrete. Apple has yet to confirm or deny those rumors.
Conclusion
While there isn’t a dedicated Apple TV app for Android smartphones, you are still able to watch Apple TV+ using your phone’s browser. Android TV and Google TV do have an app and the integration is rather seamless.
Although some features like offline downloads are not available on Android devices, you can still experience the high-quality content that Apple TV+ has to offer. Happy streaming!
