There has been no official Apple TV app for Android users since its release in 2016. The only way to watch Apple TV Plus or access content you bought was through the website on a browser. That meant no proper app experience, no easy downloads, and no seamless integration like you’d get on an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook.
Apple brought the Apple TV app to Android TV and Google TV in 2021, so those were the only exceptions. Thankfully, the company is now extending it to Android.
The Apple TV app for Android is finally here
Apple has officially launched the Apple TV app for Android smartphones. Now, you can download it directly from the Google Play Store and use Google Play billing to subscribe directly. The company says that it’s available globally, but at the same time, “availability may vary by region.” Some locations may not see it because of licensing restrictions and other limitations.
If your region is eligible, you’ll get full access to Apple TV Plus, the Major League Soccer (MLS) Season Pass, and all purchased movies and shows. All these capabilities will happen within a proper app instead of relying on a web browser. Make sure your device is running Android 10 or a higher software version for compatibility.
It’s been a long wait, but getting a smoother experience with better playback, offline downloads, and a convenient way to stream is worth it. Unfortunately, iTunes purchases and Apple TV Channels are not included since Apple has decided to focus on its streaming services.Â
So, if you’ve bought or rented movies and shows through iTunes, you won’t be able to watch them on an Android device. Likewise, if you’ve subscribed to third-party streaming services through Apple TV Channels, you’ll need to use their separate apps instead.
No Google Cast support on Apple TV app for Android
It’s just like Apple leaving its gate halfway open when bringing services to Android. Hence, some features will be missing from the Apple TV Android app. One big one is Google Cast support. The protocol lets you wirelessly stream video or audio from your phone to a compatible device and is not available at launch.Â
If you rely on casting for a bigger-screen experience, it’s a significant limitation. However, the company said it’s improving the app so that Google Cast support could be added in the future.
Apple TV Plus costs $9.99 monthly and comes with original Apple shows like the sci-fi-themed Severance and Friday Night Baseball. Apple airs two Major League Baseball (MLB) games weekly during the regular season. You can watch them from anywhere.
Meanwhile, MLS Season Pass costs $14.99 per month or $99 for the entire season. It delivers full coverage of matches played by the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.
The league features teams from various cities competing in a regular season, playoffs, and the MLS Cup Final, which determines the champion. Fortunately, the app offers a seven-day free trial. So you can test-run it before making a long-term commitment.
