In a significant expansion of its streaming service, Apple has announced the availability of the Apple TV app for Android devices, marking a notable milestone five years after the launch of Apple TV Plus. Users with Android phones and tablets can now enjoy a variety of content, including Major League Soccer, Friday Night Baseball, and acclaimed original series such as Severance and Slow Horses.
Global Rollout and Features
Starting today, the Apple TV app can be downloaded globally from the Google Play store, compatible with Android 10 and later versions. This new offering allows users to subscribe to Apple TV Plus for per month and the MLS Season Pass for per month. New users can easily create an Apple account within the app and take advantage of a seven-day free trial to explore the content available.
The user experience mirrors that of the existing Apple TV streaming interface, featuring a “Continue Watching” row, customizable watch lists, and the ability to download content for offline viewing. For those who already have an Apple, Apple TV Plus, or MLS Season Pass account, signing into the Android version of the app will seamlessly integrate their existing information, allowing them to pick up right where they left off in their favorite shows or movies.
While some functionalities, such as casting, are currently unavailable, Apple has indicated plans for future updates to enhance the Android app’s capabilities. Upon launching Apple TV Plus on an Android device, users will be greeted with personalized recommendation rows, highlighting some of Apple’s most popular originals from the past five years. Additionally, MLS subscribers will find a dedicated section where they can mark their favorite teams, view upcoming games, and access related content with just a click of a star icon.
Since its inception in November 2019, Apple TV Plus has primarily catered to users within the Apple ecosystem, including iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs. The service has also been accessible on various platforms such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, PCs, and select smart TVs from leading brands like Samsung, Vizio, and LG. The introduction of an Android mobile app has been anticipated for some time, and this launch represents a strategic shift for Apple, enhancing accessibility to its streaming service. Last year, Prime Video began offering Apple TV Plus as an add-on subscription, and the service was included in Comcast’s StreamSaver package alongside Netflix and Peacock, further broadening its reach in the competitive streaming landscape.
