Apple simply took an enormous step at the moment in the direction of broadening its streaming attain by making the Apple TV app accessible globally for obtain on Android gadgets. This implies customers of
Android telephones, tablets, foldables, and even Android TV will now be capable to entry Apple TV+ and MLS Season Move immediately by means of the brand new Apple TV app on the Google Play Retailer. This transfer marks a major enlargement for Apple’s streaming providers, opening them as much as a a lot bigger viewers.Rebuilt from the bottom as much as present a extra native expertise, the Apple TV app on Android is designed with a user-friendly interface acquainted to Android customers. Taking full benefit of Android design parts (Materials Design) and native Google providers, the app additionally integrates with Google Play’s billing system, which implies it is possible for you to to subscribe to Apple TV+ and MLS Season Move themselves immediately inside the app. Additionally, accessible at launch, Apple can also be providing Android customers a seven-day free trial for Apple TV+, permitting potential subscribers to pattern the service earlier than committing.
The app comes outfitted with options like “Proceed Watching,” which permits customers to seamlessly resume viewing throughout completely different gadgets the place you might be signed in together with your Apple account, and the “Watchlist” function allows customers to curate an inventory of exhibits and films they plan to observe later. Streaming is supported over each Wi-Fi and mobile connections, and the app features a obtain possibility for offline viewing. It is a helpful function for customers who wish to watch content material on the go with out utilizing their knowledge.
Each your innie and outie will now be capable to take pleasure in Severance on iOS and Android. No touch upon which is which. | Picture credit score — Apple
One notable function that shall be absent from this primary model of the app is casting help, which I am hoping makes its approach to the app sooner or later. Additionally, Android gadgets will have to be operating a minimum of model 10 of Android as a way to help this new app. Notifications for newly accessible content material will even not be accessible.
Moreover, it ought to be famous that this new app is to not be confused with the present “lounge” model that’s already accessible on Google TV. Presently, the app inside Google TV solely gives playback, however as of this afternoon it’s going to incorporate the Google Play billing ingredient, permitting you to subscribe on to Apple TV+ as nicely.
For sports activities followers, the arrival of the Apple TV app on Android coincides with the upcoming Main League Soccer (MLS) 2025 season. By MLS Season Move, subscribers can watch each MLS match with out blackouts, together with unique content material and evaluation. The MLS season kicks off the weekend of February 22, and this app shall be prepared for the brand new season. Apple TV+ can also be dwelling to “Friday Night time Baseball” and, new for 2025, “Sunday Night time Soccer,” offering much more reside sports activities content material.
Apple is broadening its attain
Traditionally, Apple has stored its providers inside its personal ecosystem, thus why the supply of the Apple TV app on Android signifies such a shift in technique. Probably aimed toward rising subscriber numbers for its Apple TV+ service, this additionally is not the primary time Apple has ventured exterior its partitions. Apple Music, for instance, has been accessible on Android for fairly a while. This technique permits Apple to generate income from a broader buyer base, even those that aren’t invested within the Apple {hardware} ecosystem.
This transfer by Apple may sign a broader pattern of streaming providers changing into extra platform-agnostic, finally benefiting shoppers by offering higher selection and suppleness. Personally, as an Android and iOS person, in addition to an Apple TV+ subscriber, I’m blissful to know that I can now simply entry my content material on all of my gadgets with out the necessity to swap or use a workaround.
