The long-awaited native Apple TV app has finally landed on Android devices, bringing a seamless streaming experience to users with Android OS 10 or later. This new app, available in the Google Play store, offers the full functionality of its Apple ecosystem counterpart, including access to Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass, and a personalized Watchlist. Android users can now enjoy popular shows like Severance, Silo, and acclaimed movies such as Killers of the Flower Moon and CODA directly on their phones and tablets. Pricing remains consistent across platforms, ensuring Android users get the same value as their Apple counterparts.
Seamless Viewing Experience Across Platforms
The native Android app promises a unified experience, synchronizing your viewing progress and preferences across all your devices. The Continue Watching feature allows you to pick up right where you left off, regardless of whether you were previously watching on an iPhone, iPad, or now your Android device. Your Watchlist also stays updated, ensuring your curated content is always readily available. Furthermore, since purchases are tied to your Apple account, all your owned content will be accessible on any device running the updated app. While casting functionality from Android devices isn’t available at launch, it’s a feature many users anticipate in future updates.
An Android phone and tablet showing screenshots of the Apple TV app on a white background.Apple demonstrates the native Android app’s interface, mirroring the Apple ecosystem experience.
Optimized Interface for Phones and Tablets
MaagX had the opportunity to demo the app on both Android phones and tablets. The interface mirrors the familiar Apple experience, offering intuitive navigation. On phones, dedicated tabs for Apple TV+, MLS, Downloads, and Search are conveniently located at the bottom of the screen. Scrolling reveals Continue Watching, Top Charting content, and a section showcasing Apple Originals for new Android subscribers. Tablets benefit from adaptive sizing, optimizing the layout for larger screens, with the same menu options accessible through a hamburger menu in the top left corner.
Dedicated MLS Season Pass Integration
Soccer fans will appreciate the integrated MLS Season Pass, featuring a prominent “Sunday Night Soccer” match of the week and dedicated pages for upcoming matches. These pages provide detailed information and links to club pages, allowing for in-depth exploration. The ability to favorite teams creates a personalized “Supporters’ Section,” prioritizing your preferred clubs and providing quick access to relevant content.
Enhanced Experience on Google OS TVs
Existing Apple TV app users on Google OS TVs, such as TCL QM8, Sony Bravia 9, and Hisense U8N, will receive integrated Google Play billing. However, this update doesn’t involve a new app installation for these devices.
A Welcome Addition to the Android Ecosystem
Early user reviews and comments in the Google Play store indicate a highly positive reception for the native Apple TV app. This new release replaces a previous app that, despite over 50 million downloads, held a low 1.6-star rating and proved difficult to download on our test devices. The native app promises a significant improvement, addressing previous shortcomings and offering a robust, user-friendly streaming experience for Android users.
Conclusion: A New Era for Apple TV on Android
The arrival of the native Apple TV app on Android marks a significant step in expanding the platform’s reach. By providing a consistent and feature-rich experience, Apple is making its streaming services more accessible to a wider audience. While the initial release lacks casting support, the core functionality and intuitive interface demonstrate a commitment to providing a high-quality streaming experience on Android. The positive early reception suggests this new app will be a welcome addition for Android users looking to enjoy Apple’s growing library of original content and live sports.
