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.

What is Apple TV

Apple TV is, rather confusingly, more than one service.

The original Apple TV is a streaming device. The appliance is a piece of hardware that plugs into your TV, connecting it to your home Wi-Fi network and allowing you to use various apps. Think of it as Apple’s version of the Chromecast.

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, featuring 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 $10 a month, or you can get it by signing up for Apple One, which starts at $20 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.

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.

1. Launch your browser of choice. We like Chrome.
2. Enter tv.apple.com in the address bar and hit Enter.
3. Tap on Sign In.
4. Enter your email and hit Continue.
5. Choose whether you want to Continue with Password or Sign in with iPhone. Follow the instructions to sign in.
6. You’re in!

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.

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