Today, streaming services rule the entertainment world, and they have established themselves firmly in American living rooms. In this respect, Apple TV isn’t any different from the push by competitors like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. But in some ways, Apple feels it has an edge over its competitors and even over its own past attempts to penetrate the living room. One of those ways is through content — that it has more, and more varied, original content than ever before.
Currently, Apple does not offer a dedicated Apple TV application for devices running on the Android operating system. Yet, users can still take advantage of the Apple TV service through the device’s web browser. The steps to access Apple TV content through an Android device are straightforward. To get started, simply open your web browser of choice on your Android device (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, etc.). Type in the official Apple TV domain, tv.apple.com, and hit “Go.” If you already own Apple devices and even if you don’t, though, you’ll need an Apple ID to access the content. You can create the ID right on the site if you don’t have one. Once signed in, the content on the service is yours to access. Use the content you have access to, as you would any other streaming service, and enjoy.
For those who own Apple devices like iPhones and iPads, there’s a straightforward way to indirectly stream content to Android devices using Apple AirPlay. First, make sure you have a compatible Android device on which to receive the stream—AirPlay works on several smart TVs and some streaming devices that aren’t made by Apple, but aren’t iPhones, iPads, or iPods. With the compatible Android device set up, connect it and your Apple device to the same Wi-Fi network. Then, use the Apple TV app on your Apple device to choose your content. Finally, tap the rectangle-with-a-triangle icon to AirPlay it to your “non-Apple” device.
For a more cohesive solution, opt for external streaming devices that support both Apple TV and Android. These include the Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Google Chromecast—they’re all capable of showing many different services, including Apple TV. But first, let’s follow the instructions from the manufacturer and get the device connected to the TV. If the device supports the Apple TV app, download it from the device’s app store. Then, go on ahead and open it up. You’ll be able to get not just the shows, but also all the movies that you’ve rented or purchased through Apple.
Watching Apple TV content on Android is possible, thanks to screen mirroring. It might not be what some consider the most convenient way to do so, but as far as I know, it’s still a potential workaround that’s worth knowing about. As with any other app we’re talking about, it requires downloading some software to both your Apple device and your Android device. A few of the more popular mirroring apps include ApowerMirror and LetsView. With either of those, you’d download the app to both your devices, then follow instructions to get them connected. Once that’s done, your Apple device’s screen becomes a mirror image of sorts on your Android device.
Though Apple does not offer an app for the Android platform, you can still watch all that sweet Apple TV content on your Android device via several different workarounds. The most straightforward method is to use your trusty web browser. You can also harness the might of AirPlay if you have Apple-friendly devices, a smart way to use Apple TV without it actually being on your Android device! Got a third-party streaming gadget? Fire up that Apple TV app on your device of choice. Finally, if you really want to walk on the wild side, you can download a screen mirroring app, with all the uncertain security that entails.