What Apple TV+ is and how to watch it
Apple TV+ is a streaming service run by Apple that shows movies, TV shows, and documentaries. You pay a monthly fee and watch on any device that has the Apple TV app — that includes iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, Apple TVs, and many smart TVs from other makers like Samsung, LG, and Roku. You can also watch on some Android phones and through a web browser at tv.apple.com.
The service works like other streaming subscriptions: you sign up with an Apple ID, pay each month, and can watch as many shows and movies as you want during that month. There are no ads on the standard plan. You can watch on up to six devices at the same time, though only one person can watch per account at a time unless you set up family sharing.
Apple TV+ is different from the Apple TV app itself. The Apple TV app is free and lets you buy or rent individual movies and shows, or watch content from other services. Apple TV+ is the subscription service inside that app — it's one option among many.
Key Takeaways
- Apple TV+ costs a set monthly amount and includes all shows and movies in the catalog with no ads on the standard plan.
- You watch through the Apple TV app on your device, or through a web browser, and can stream on up to six devices at once.
- Apple often bundles Apple TV+ with other services like Apple Music or iCloud+ at a discount through Apple One.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time without penalty, and your access stops at the end of the billing period.
- Some carriers and device makers offer free or discounted Apple TV+ for a limited time when you buy their products.
How much Apple TV+ costs
Apple TV+ has two pricing tiers. The standard plan includes all content with no ads. The ad-supported plan costs less per month but shows ads during shows and movies. Both plans let you watch on up to six devices and read shows to watch offline.
The exact price varies by country and changes over time, so check Apple's website or the Apple TV app to see the current rate where you live. In the United States, the standard plan is typically around $9.99 per month, and the ad-supported plan is lower, but these amounts are not fixed.
If you already pay for other Apple services, you may save money through Apple One, which bundles Apple TV+ with Apple Music, iCloud+ storage, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, and other services at a single monthly price. The bundle costs less than buying each service separately.
How to sign up and start watching
To sign up, open the Apple TV app on your device or go to tv.apple.com in a web browser. Tap or click the profile icon, then look for the option to start a free trial or subscribe. You will need an Apple ID — if you do not have one, you can create it during sign-up using an email address and password.
Choose which plan you want (standard or ad-supported), then enter your payment method. Apple will charge your account on the same day each month. Once you are signed in, you can browse the catalog and start watching right away.
If you buy an Apple device like an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, check whether the purchase includes a free trial or free months of Apple TV+. Some carriers and retailers offer these promotions, and the details appear in your account settings or in the email confirmation of your purchase.
What shows and movies are available
Apple TV+ produces original content — shows and movies made by Apple — rather than licensing old shows from other studios. The catalog includes drama series, comedies, documentaries, sports content, and films. Popular originals have included series like Ted Lasso, Severance, and The Morning Show, as well as films and documentaries.
The catalog changes regularly. New episodes of ongoing series release on a schedule set by Apple, usually one episode per week, though some shows release all episodes at once. You can browse what is available in the app, and Apple sends notifications when new seasons of shows you watch are coming.
Apple TV+ does not include movies or shows from other studios the way some competitors do. If you want to watch older films or shows from other networks, you either rent or buy them through the Apple TV app separately, or you subscribe to a different service.
How to manage your subscription and billing
Your subscription renews automatically each month on the same date you signed up. To see your billing date and payment method, open the Apple TV app, tap your profile icon, then go to Account Settings. From there you can update your payment information or change which plan you are on.
To pause your subscription temporarily, go to Account Settings and look for the option to pause. This stops charges for a set period — usually up to four months — and you can resume whenever you want. To cancel entirely, go to Account Settings and select the option to cancel the subscription. Your access ends at the end of your current billing period, so you can still watch until then.
If you share your Apple ID with family members, you can set up Family Sharing so each person has their own account within the subscription. This lets everyone have separate watch histories and recommendations, though they all use the same subscription.
Watching on different devices
The Apple TV app is built into iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, and Apple TV boxes. On other devices, you may need to read the app from the device's app store. Samsung, LG, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Google TV all have the Apple TV app available.
If your device does not have the app, you can watch at tv.apple.com using any web browser. Sign in with your Apple ID, and you can stream from there. The web version works on Windows computers, Chromebooks, and any other device with a browser.
You can read shows and movies to your device to watch offline — useful if you are traveling or do not have internet. Open a show or movie, look for the read icon, and tap it. Downloaded content takes up storage space on your device and expires after a certain period if you do not refresh your subscription.
Free trials and promotional offers
Apple sometimes offers free trials of Apple TV+ to new subscribers, though the length varies. Check the sign-up screen in the app to see if a trial is currently available. If you are may be able to access, you will not be charged during the trial period, but your subscription will begin charging after the trial ends unless you cancel.
If you buy an Apple device, you may receive a free period of Apple TV+ as part of the purchase. The length depends on the device and the promotion running at the time. Check your purchase confirmation email or the device's setup screen to see if this applies to you.
Some wireless carriers and internet providers also offer free or discounted Apple TV+ to their customers. Contact your provider to ask whether they have this benefit, and if so, how to redeem it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Apple TV+ on my smart TV?
Yes, if your smart TV has the Apple TV app built in or can read it. Samsung, LG, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Google TV all support the app. If your TV does not have it, you can connect an Apple TV box, or use an HDMI cable to mirror your phone or computer screen to the TV.
What happens to my shows if I cancel?
Once your subscription ends, you lose access to all Apple TV+ content. Your watch history and saved shows are kept for 30 days in case you resubscribe, but after that they are deleted. Downloaded episodes are removed from your device when ready.
Can multiple people watch at the same time?
The standard plan allows streaming on up to six devices at once, but only one person can watch per account unless you set up Family Sharing. With Family Sharing, each family member gets their own account and can watch simultaneously.
Do I have to watch ads on Apple TV+?
Only if you choose the ad-supported plan, which costs less than the standard plan. The standard plan has no ads. You can switch between plans anytime in your account settings.
Can I use Apple TV+ outside my home country?
You can watch while traveling, but availability of shows and movies may differ by country due to licensing rules. If you travel for an extended period, check Apple's policies on regional access, as your account may be tied to your home country.