Apple TV+ is a streaming service from Apple, the company known for products like the iPhone and Mac. Though slow off the starting blocks, Apple TV+ has established itself as a major contender in the streaming space thanks to its interesting exclusive content.

We're going to explain everything you need to know about Apple TV+, including where it's available, what devices you can watch it on, and how much a subscription costs.

What Is Apple TV+?

Apple TV+ is a video streaming service from Apple that launched in November 2019. It's a direct competitor to the likes of Netflix, Disney+, and Paramount+.

In preparation for the launch, Apple spent billions and teamed up with stars like Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and Jennifer Aniston to create a relatively small but impressive batch of exclusive content.

Apple hasn't disclosed how many people are using Apple TV+, though it falls far short of long-established players like Netflix. It's also way behind Disney+, which launched at the same time and has over 150 million subscribers.

Nevertheless, Apple continues to pour money into the service. There have been multiple seasons of launch shows like Dickinson and The Morning Show, and the company continues to fund new star-led exclusive content.

Apple TV+ isn't the same thing as the Apple TV set-top box or the TV app. Though Apple TV+ can be accessed through both, Apple TV also lets you stream other services, while the TV app is primarily designed for movie rentals and purchases.

Where Is Apple TV+ Available?

Apple TV+ is available in over 100 countries. Apple wants the service to be available worldwide, though at the time of writing a few large countries like Turkey and Romania are excluded.

To find out if Apple TV+ is available in your country, visit the Availability of Apple Media Services page.

What Can You Watch on Apple TV+?

Unlike other services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu, which blend original and licensed content, nearly everything on Apple TV+ has been created specifically for the platform. You can't watch its exclusive movies or shows elsewhere; it's one of the best reasons to subscribe to Apple TV+.

While Apple TV+ does host a handful of third-party content (including the original Fraggle Rock TV series and various animated Peanuts specials), some of which only appears for a month or so as a "limited-time subscriber bonus", it's not the selling point.

Some of the great shows that you can watch on Apple TV+ include:

  • Dickinson: Starring Hailee Steinfeld as Emily Dickinson, this coming-of-age show is a quirky and comedic look at the reclusive poet's life.
  • Snoopy in Space: One for the kids, inspired by the Peanuts comic strip, with Snoopy trying to fulfill his dream to become a NASA astronaut.
  • Mythic Quest: A workplace comedy centered around a group of video game developers, with It's Always Sunny's Rob McElhenney at the helm.
  • The Morning Show: After a morning news anchor is fired for sexual harassment, his colleagues are left to pick up the pieces.

And some of the original films and documentaries include:

  • Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry: A documentary that explores the life and journey of the international pop star.
  • Cherry: Starring Spider-Man's Tom Holland as an ex-army medic who robs banks to fund his opioid addiction.
  • Greyhound: Written by and starring Tom Hanks, Greyhound is a WWII film based around one of the largest naval battles.
  • Palmer: After serving a long prison sentence, Justin Timberlake's high school football star cares for an outcast neighbor, until his past comes to haunt him.

All of this is available in 4K HDR/Dolby Vision, with most of it supporting Dolby Atmos (which gives three-dimensional audio, providing you have a sound system that can handle it).

How Much Does Apple TV+ Cost?

Apple TV+ costs $4.99/month, following a seven-day free trial. It's one of the cheapest major streaming services.

apple tv+ pricing

There are other ways to get Apple TV+ free. For example, it's free for three months on purchase of an eligible Apple device, like an iPhone or iPad. Alternatively, Apple TV+ is included with Apple One (which bundles Apple services into a single package), which starts at $14.95/month.

All of these allow you to share your Apple TV+ subscription with up to five family members. You can all stream simultaneously too.

Another option is the Apple Music Student plan, which comes with a free subscription to Apple TV+, though you can't share the subscription with others. The subscription remains valid until you are no longer eligible for the plan or you don't renew (whichever happens first).

Regardless of how you pay for Apple TV+, there are no ad-supported plans. Apple claims that will never change.

What Devices Can You Watch Apple TV+ On?

You can watch Apple TV+ on many devices, including but not limited to:

  • Apple products: Apple TV (4K, HD, or third-generation), iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac
  • Games consoles: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • Streaming devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV
  • Smart TVs: Samsung, LG, VIZIO, Sony
  • Web browser: Using Firefox and Chrome on Windows, Chrome OS, and Android
apple tv+ on different devices
Image Credit: Apple

For full information, visit the Apple TV+ device page. While Apple TV+ is generally well-supported, the smart TV compatibility is limited, as only some TVs from 2018 onwards have the app. There's also no Android app.

What Other Features Does Apple TV+ Have?

You can download everything on Apple TV+ for offline viewing, which is great if you're traveling or are somewhere with a dodgy internet connection. Content will be available for 30 days after download, after which time it's automatically removed. Offline downloads are only available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Mac.

Other neat Apple TV+ features include parental controls which let you set an age rating limit (with anything above it unlocked via a passcode) and subtitles in a variety of languages (with customizable appearance).

Should You Subscribe to Apple TV+?

Apple TV+ is growing and Apple shows no sign of slowing down its investment in the streaming service. It's definitely worth checking out, especially because you can't watch its content anywhere else, though you may wish to pair it with another streaming service to ensure you have enough to keep you entertained.