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AppleTV+? price, devices, features, how to get it and more

Derek Malcolm / Digital Trends

Since its launch in 2019, Apple TV+ has established a solid foothold in the streaming industry and continues to compete with giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Max and Hulu, offering an attractive alternative to movies, TV series and even live sports fans .

However, unlike its competitors, Apple TV Plus prioritizes exclusive content, with a deep library of originals for which it has become known – such as critically acclaimed and award-winning series like Ted Lasso, Black Bird, For all humanityAND Cutting offalongside sci-fi hits like Silo AND Foundation. Oh, and there’s Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer.

The ad-free service has amassed an estimated 25 million subscribers worldwide, with many more reportedly taking advantage of the company’s penchant for offering free promotional subscriptions to people who buy a new Apple device such as an iPhone or MacBook.

At just $10 a month, Apple TV+ remains one of the cheapest video streaming services available. Here’s everything you need to know.

Cost and availability

Apple TV+ is one of the cheaper streaming services, costing $10 per month. That’s $13 cheaper than a top-tier Premium Netflix subscription. However, if you want to watch ads, the ad-supported plans of Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu and Disney Plus are cheaper.

Sports fans can also get help with Apple TV+. The monthly price includes MLB’s Friday Night Baseball, which continues to air its weekly double-header. MLS soccer fans, however, must purchase an MLS season pass for $15 per month.

Apple also maintains a fairly aggressive Apple TV+ acquisition model. Anyone can try the service free for seven days or get three months free with the purchase of any eligible iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV or Mac. Just remember to take advantage of the offer within 90 days of purchase.

Additionally, if you haven’t signed up yet, you can get a one-month free trial with an Apple One subscription, but keep in mind that the prices of these packages (which include services like Fitness+, Arcade, News+ and iCloud storage) have also increased.

We also have a full explanation of how much Apple TV+ costs.

Supported devices

Naturally, Apple TV+ is available on all modern Apple devices, including all iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices running the latest operating systems, Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, and third-generation Apple TV. You can access Apple TV+ through web browsers such as Safari, Chrome or Firefox.

The Apple TV+ app is available on Smart TVs from Samsung, Vizio, LG, Sony and Hisense. You can also download the app on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV or Google TV streaming devices, as well as on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Series X and Series S consoles.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

How to get Apple TV+?

As we mentioned above, there are several ways to get free Apple TV+, whether you’re a first-time Apple device owner or a longtime Apple fan. Either way, here are the basic steps to access the streaming service.

Step 1: Go to AppleTV.com and select an option Start your free trial button. This is easiest to do in your desktop browser, but you can do it on almost any device.

Step 2: Sign in with your Apple ID (or create one first, if necessary).

Step 3: If you haven’t set this up with your Apple ID yet, you may need to enter your credit card information. Once you’ve done that, click Confirm.

Step 4: You’re finished. You should be able to watch immediately, but you may need to sign in on whatever device you’re using to watch.

Note: However, please note that for the free trial and most free trials, once the trial period ends, it will automatically renew and you will then be charged $10 per month. If you decide it’s not for you, you can quit before it’s too late.

Audio and video

All Apple TV+ Originals are optimized to support 4K HDR, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, and most also support Dolby Atmos audio. And if you have Apple TV 4K, you can connect it to a compatible pair of headphones (like AirPods Max, AirPods Pro (first or second generation), AirPods 3, or Beats Fit Pro) to experience immersive Apple Spatial Audio 3D sound with head tracking. Many Apple TV+ devices support up to six simultaneous streams with a single subscription, and up to six family members can create their own profiles using their own Apple credentials. Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users can also download Apple TV+ content and watch it offline.

Derek Malcolm / Digital Trends

Apple TV+ content

As we mentioned above, Apple TV+ is primarily original movies and series. And while they only released a handful of titles at first, their list is now much more respected and growing every month. Apple TV+ offers shows and movies from many famous actors and filmmakers, and Digital Trends has everything you can watch every month in our streaming guides, including what’s new on Apple TV+, the best shows on Apple TV+, and the best movies on Apple TV+.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Apple TV Plus and Apple TV?

It’s an unfortunate nomenclature that has confused people for years, but to put it simply, Apple TV is a streaming device, also called a set-top box, that plugs into your TV to access content in a similar way you would with a Roku or Amazon Fire Stick. The device itself allows you to access several streaming services by installing their apps, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+ and of course Apple TV+ which is also a streaming service in itself.

How many profiles can I create on Apple TV+?

Apple TV+ allows you to create up to six user profiles, so everyone can have their own viewing history and the algorithm can display content tailored to individual needs.

Can my Apple TV+ subscription be shared with my family?

Of course. Apple lets you use Family Sharing to share your subscription with up to five other family members (six total).

Can Apple TV+ be used on other devices?

Yes, the Apple TV+ app, like other apps like Netflix and Disney+, can be downloaded and installed on other streaming devices like Roku (via the Channel Store), Fire TV Stick, Google TV and Chromecast, and even consoles for video games.

Is Apple TV+ content available in 4K resolution?

That’s true. All Apple TV Plus content, such as movies and series, is presented in 4K resolution, but you need a 4K TV to watch it.

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