What Devices Are Compatible With Apple TV+
It’s no surprise that you can watch Apple TV+ on the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and Macs via the web or the Apple TV app. But you can also stream Apple TV+ on many other kinds of devices.
The Apple TV app is available on Samsung and LG smart TVs, Roku and , and Windows PCs via the web. Apple TV is also available for many Android TV OS devices, including Nvidia’s Shield TV, Phillips TVs, and more. Find out if your device is supported on Apple’s full list of Apple TV+ compatible devices.
If your smart TV isn’t on that list, check out the LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio AirPlay 2-compatible TVs further down that page. They support screen mirroring using AirPlay 2. You can watch Apple TV+ on your iOS, iPadOS, or macOS device and then mirror your device’s screen to one of those compatible TVs.
Best Apple TV Plus Movies
Apple TV Plus doesnt have as many movies as its competitors, but it does have a respectable selection of original films to stream right away, with more upcoming exclusive titles from Martin Scorsese and Joel Coen to look forward to. Check out our list of the best Apple TV Plus movies for trailers and more, but heres a brief list of what you can expect on the platform:
- The Banker A drama inspired by true events about two Black businessmen in the 1950s who find creative ways to combat racism in pursuit of the American dream. It stars Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie.
- Beastie Boys Story A Spike Jonze documentary about the eponymous hip-hop groups rise to fame.
- Hala A coming-of-age drama about a Pakistani-American teenager who struggles to balance her cultural and religious heritage with her American friends and desire to fit in.
- Greyhound A WWII drama starring and written by Tom Hanks about a navy captain who leads a fleet of ships across the U-Boat-infested waters of the Atlantic.
- Wolfwalkers A stunning animated film about a girl who learns to turn into a wolf, the animal her father is tasked with hunting in Ireland.
How Do I Install And Log In To Gaia On My Apple TV
To install the Gaia app on your Apple TV, please follow the steps below:
Logging in to the Gaia app on your Apple TV is simple. Please follow the steps below:
After installing the Gaia app on your Apple TV, you will need to either log in with your email address and password , or complete a one-time activation process using a separate device.
To log in with your email address and password, follow the steps below:
1. Open the Gaia app and select “Log In.”
2. On the next page, select “Log In With Email.”
3. Type your username and password, select “Log In.”
If you choose to activate your account with a different device, then follow the steps below:
1. Open the Gaia app and select “Log In.”
2. On the next screen you will receive a unique code, along with this URL: www.gaia.com/activate. On a separate device, type the URL into a new web browser.
3. If you do this on a device that you have previously used to log in to Gaia, it will remember you and you will only be prompted to enter the code. If you have never logged in to Gaia on the device, you will instead be prompted to enter your Gaia username, which is the email address you signed up with.
4. Once you enter the code on your second device, your Apple TV will automatically log in within 30 seconds.
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What The Experts Think
The general consensus from streaming and media experts is that although Apple TV Plus has a solid lineup of original content and fantastic streaming quality, there simply isnt enough original content .
In our original Apple TV review, we noted that while it isnt exactly a runaway success, Apples streaming service is a solid contender. And it keeps adding more impressive content all the time. In addition to a unique three-episode-initial-drop content strategy to get watchers hooked fast, it also features the best streaming bitrate in the business. Plus, at just five bucks a month, Apple isnt asking much for access to its content.
That said, in our comparisons with other top streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus , the difference in the amount of content is staggering. Although both services cost more than Apple TV Plus, their catalogs are significantly larger and constantly growing.
Apple invested a lot of money into Apple Originals and many of them are truly worth watching. Disney Plus has The Mandalorian, Hulu has Handmaids Tale, and Netflix has Stranger Things and many others. Apple TV Plus isnt out of the running, with shows like The Morning Show and Ted Lasso getting plenty of attention, but its not breaking records.
How Do You Get Apple TV+ On Your Device
To access Apple TV+, you need the Apple TV app, which comes installed on Apple devices but can be downloaded to other supporting devices, and an Apple ID account. If you have a smart TV or streaming device, here’s what to do:
This article focuses on the Apple TV+ streaming service. The service is different from the Apple TV device and the Apple TV app. Confused? We untangle the mess in What Is Apple TV?
If you don’t have an Apple ID, learn how to create an Apple ID here.
On your smart TV or streaming device, download the Apple TV app from the app store on your device.
After the Apple TV app is installed, launch the app and select Start Watching> Settings> Accounts> Sign In.
There are two ways to sign in to your Apple ID:
After you sign in to your Apple ID, follow any remaining on-screen prompts and you are ready to start watching.
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Can You Share Apple TV With Another Apple Id Outside Of The Family
Sure! The term Family Sharing is just a name theres no requirement that everyone has to be related. You just need their name and email to send them an invitation. Theres just one important caveat: Only six people can be part of a Family Sharing plan. Thats it theres no way to expand the list, so choose carefully when first setting it up.
Editors’ Recommendations
Discover A World Of Worldclass Services
With millions of songs, over 200 games, Apple Original series and films, and more, theres something for everyone in every Apple One plan.
The Morning Show
Super simple. One free trial, one monthly invoice, and one place to manage your account.* You can cancel at any time, no strings attached.
Great for sharing. All users on the Family and Premier plans can sign in with their own Apple ID. So everyone has private access to each service and gets personalized recommendations.
The Wall Street Journal
One month free. Any services you havent already tried are free for the first month.*
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How Much Does Apple TV Plus Cost
Apple TV Plus costs $4.99 a month in the US, with a seven-day free trial. There is also the option of an annual subscription for $49.99. This fee unlocks all Apple Originals, but you will need to pay for other Apple TV Channel subscriptions separately.
Read more: How much is Apple TV Plus? Heres the info on its cost
Its worth noting that there is only one price for the service, and Apple TV streaming includes up to six family members, 4K quality, and media downloads. There are no more expensive plans with extra features its all included in the basic plan.
If you already subscribe to a few other Apple products like Apple Music, it might be worth opting for an Apple One subscription. This includes Apple TV Plus, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud storage for just $14.95 a month. Theres also a family plan for $19.95 for up to six family members. The most expensive plan costs $29.95, boosting iCloud storage to 2TB and including Apple News Plus and the new Apple Fitness Plus.
Around the world, other countries have similar costs, but you can find the list of international Apple TV Plus prices below:
- USA: $4.99/month, $49.99/year
- Australia: A$7.99/month
Hooking Up To Your Hdtv And Home Network
The first order of business is simply hooking the device up. Lets take a look at the back and highlight what the ports are used for.
Behind the monolithic black Apple TV box youll fine four ports. One power port, one HDMI port, one Ethernet port, and one USB-C port.
The power port is for the included power cable , the HDMI port is for linking your Apple TV to your HDTV or AV receiver, and the USB-C port is of little concern to consumers. No, really, we promise. The reason your Apple TV doesnt ship with a USB-C cable is because the port exists solely for diagnostic purposes and unless you return your Apple TV for service it likely will go unused for the duration of the devices life.
The final port is the Ethernet port intended to link your Apple TV to your home network via hardline. Dont have a nearby Ethernet port? Dont worry, while having a hardwired media center device is ideal the Apple TV is equipped with speedy 802.11ac Wi-Fi so the Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi debate isnt quite as one-sided as it used to be. If you have one nearby, use it. If you dont have one well be setting up the Wi-Fi connection in just a moment.
One port notably absent is the digital optical audio output fans of using their Apple TV units as music media centers have definitely made their opinion about the missing digital audio jack known.
With all the ports squared away, plug the Apple TV power cord in and grab the remote control.
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If You Could Only Pick One Which Streaming Service Would You Choose
Apple has always kept user numbers close to the chest, so its difficult to tell just how successful Apple TV Plus has been with everyday users. Complicating matters further, some current Apple TV Plus subscribers are still on their free year. This means that subscriber numbers could tank as those free trials expire.
Having said that, Apple TV Plus was the fastest-growing streamer in late 2021, according to Antenna.
In May of 2020, we asked our own readers at Android Authority which streaming service they would pick if they could only pick one, and Apple TV Plus captured less than 1% of the vote. Most users commented that the library was simply too small, although it might fare better as a second or third subscription for those who cant get enough content.
Read also:2020 reader poll results
There are, of course, other ways to gauge interest in the service. One is Google Trends, which tracks search volume for certain keywords. Apple TV Plus spiked when it was first announced, then again when the service launched. Its done nothing but stagnate since then, even in the face of a global pandemic when everyone is at home streaming media.
Compared to another service that launched around the same time Disney Plus Apple TV Plus is barely a blip on the radar. Its failed to grab public attention, either due to a lack of compelling material on the platform or a lack of a big marketing push from Apple.
How Else Can I Get An Apple TV Plus Free Trial
Students and tech-heads are among those who could easily bag an Apple TV Plus free trial and incredibly, enjoy Apples eclectic line-up of shows for three months or even longer!
If youre studying at a degree-granting university or college, all your entertainment dreams have come true. Not only does a subscription to the Apple Music student plan mean paying $4.99 rather than $9.99 a month, but Apple TV Plus is thrown in at no extra charge for a limited time.
Previously you could get a whole year free with the purchase of an Apple device. Now you can get three months of Apple TV Plus absolutely free when you purchase an Apple device: that’s any eligible iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, or Mac. Just remember to redeem the deal within 90 days of purchase.
Additionally, if you havent already signed-up for Apple TV Plus, then you can trial it free for a month as part of an Apple One subscription. There are three plans available, all of which include Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and iCloud storage.
Paying members are being rewarded too. Apple are currently crediting $4.99 to your Apple account to spend in the App Store which you can also use to pay for your TV Plus sub. Result!
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How To Set Up Apple TV
How To Sign Up For The Apple TV+ Streaming Service
Apple TV+ debuted on November 1 and is a video streaming service that gives you original shows, movies, documentaries, kids shows, and more. You can give it a try before you buy into the $4.99 per month subscription with a free seven-day trial. So you have nothing to lose by checking it out.
Whats great about the service is that you dont have to own an Apple device to enjoy it. You can watch shows on many different compatible devices as well as the web. If youre interested, well show you how to sign up for Apple TV+.
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How To Remove Accounts On An Apple TV Or Later
If you have multiple Apple TV user accounts, open the Settings app and go to Users and Accounts, then select your account. Scroll down and choose to Remove User from Apple TV, then confirm you want to Remove User.
If you only have one Apple TV user account, you can either create a second user account or reset your Apple TV. Choosing to reset your Apple TV removes all the apps and media downloaded to it, although everything should be available to download when you sign in again.
To reset your Apple TV, go to Settings > System > Reset. Then confirm you want to Reset your Apple TV. After it restarts, enter your Apple ID details to sign in again.
How To Set Up And Configure Your Apple TV
Jason Fitzpatrick
Jason Fitzpatrick is the Editor in Chief of LifeSavvy, How-To Geek’s sister site focused life hacks, tips, and tricks. He has over a decade of experience in publishing and has authored thousands of articles at Review Geek, How-To Geek, and Lifehacker. Jason served as Lifehacker’s Weekend Editor before he joined How-To Geek. Read more…
The setup process for the Apple TV is pretty user friendly but that doesnt mean a walk through and some helpful configuration tips arent in order. Whether youre setting yours up right now or considering purchasing one, follow along to see how the process works.
Note: This tutorial applies to the 2015 4th-generation Apple TV hardware update and the subsequent updates running tvOS.
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Sign Out Of Apple TV+
If you cant sign in to Apple TV+, you might need to sign out of your Apple ID entirely to fix it. Many users found that the next time they signed in to their Apple ID in the Settings, it also signed them in to Apple TV+.
On an Apple TV , its easy to sign out from the Settings app. However, newer Apple TV boxes only let you sign out by removing your user account.
All The Devices You Can Watch Apple TV+ On
- An iPhone or iPod Touch with the latest version of iOS
- An iPad with the latest version of iPadOS
- An Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD with the latest version of tvOS
- A third-generation Apple TV with the latest Apple TV Software Update
- Any smart TV or streaming media player running the Apple TV app
- A Mac computer running the latest version of macOS
- Any computer with a Safari, Firefox, or Chrome web browser that lets you navigate to tv.apple.com
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Configuring Your Connection And Apple Id
In the next two steps youll select your language and the country or region in which the Apple TV is located. After the first steps of pairing the remote and selecting language/country, youll be prompted to select whether you wish to set up your device with an iOS device or manually.
Whats the difference between the two set up choices? Your patience, friend, and tolerance for using a tiny trackpad to hunt and peck for your logins and passwords. If you set up with your iOS device you can automatically transfer your Apple ID and Wi-Fi credentials right from your phone to the Apple TV. If you do it manually, you have to use the onscreen keyboard via the touchpad to enter it all. If at all possible we recommend doing it via device instead of manually .
When you select Set Up with Device you simply need to follow the instructions found on the prompt screen seen above: unlock your iOS device, enable Bluetooth if it isnt already on, and hold the device in the general vicinity of your Apple TV.
On your iOS device youll be guided through a series of prompts. First youll be asked if you want to set up your Apple TV, as seen above, then youll be prompted to enter your iCloud password, and finally youll be asked if you wish to send diagnostic data from your Apple TV back to Apple. While this process is happening your Apple TV will reflect the changes .