Apple TV+ Launches First App for Android Smartphones

Apple TV+ is now available as a dedicated app for Android smartphones and tablets, allowing users to stream and download films and series directly to their devices for the first time.

Apple TV+ Comes to Android as a Standalone App

More than five years after its launch, Apple TV+ subscribers can now access the streaming service through a dedicated Android app, eliminating the need to use a web browser. Previously, Android users could only access the platform via the Apple TV website, which lacked the convenience and functionality of a native app.

The Apple TV app is now available for download from the Google Play Store. However, it remains absent from Amazon’s App Store for Fire tablets, and there is no official confirmation on whether it will be made available for those devices in the future. Apple TV+ has long been accessible on Amazon’s Fire TV devices, as well as on streaming devices that run Android TV or Google TV.

Subscription Plans and Features

New users can try Apple TV+ free of charge for seven days. After the trial period, the subscription costs €9.99 per month. The service offers content in 4K resolution with surround sound support and allows simultaneous streaming on up to six devices.

Features of the Apple TV App for Android

Until now, Android users had to rely on a web browser to watch Apple TV+ content, making the experience less seamless. Moreover, key features such as offline downloads were not available.

The newly launched app resolves these issues by allowing users to download films and series for offline viewing. To manage mobile data usage, the app provides an option to disable downloads over mobile networks. Additionally, users can choose between two different quality settings for offline content.

Limitations of the Android Version

Unlike its iOS counterpart, the Android version of the Apple TV app is exclusively designed for Apple TV+ subscribers. This means users cannot access films and TV shows they have purchased or rented from Apple’s digital store. While this might seem like a limitation, it also streamlines the app’s interface by keeping subscription content separate from paid content.

Another restriction is that existing Apple TV+ subscribers must verify their login using two-factor authentication on another Apple device before signing into the Android app. Additionally, Apple does not provide an option to view the full password while entering it, a typical security measure seen across its ecosystem.

Unique Features of Apple TV+

The tablet version of the app supports both portrait and landscape mode, whereas the smartphone version is limited to portrait orientation. Apple also promotes its other content by showing short trailers before films and series, although these can be skipped.

Unlike other streaming platforms, Apple TV+ does not offer a separate watchlist. Instead, it merges the “Watchlist” and “Continue Watching” sections into a single interface. The Android app also lacks the new “Insight” feature, which, on iPhones, provides real-time information about actors appearing in a scene.

The Apple TV+ Content Library

Apple does not disclose the full extent of its film and TV catalogue. However, according to JustWatch, Apple TV+ currently offers 84 films and 179 series. The selection includes a number of short films and documentaries, with some series consisting of only a single season.