Apple TV+ has now made its debut on Android, over five years since the service was first introduced. By all accounts, Apple has delivered a robust Android application. However, there’s one particular aspect that makes me wish I could experience the new app on my iPhone as well.
Apple TV app for Android adopts a ‘less is more’ design philosophy
Having used an iPhone for an extended period, my preferences are deeply aligned with iOS and Apple’s design choices.
Every attempt I’ve made to use Android feels somewhat off. No disrespect to Android users; I understand it mostly comes down to personal preferences.
Nonetheless, Apple’s new TV+ app for Android has left me with a twinge of envy.
This is because the Android app includes a single feature that embodies the saying, “less is more.”
It solely showcases content from Apple TV+ (along with Apple’s relatively distinct soccer streaming service).
Upon opening the Apple TV app on Android, you’ll encounter only content available through TV+.
That’s correct; the app exclusively presents TV series and films covered by an Apple TV+ subscription, similar to nearly any other streaming service app.
Launch Netflix? You’re greeted with shows and films available on Netflix, all ready for immediate playback. The same applies to Max, Peacock, and others.
Now, Apple TV+ users on Android enjoy that same level of convenience.
This may appear to be a minor feature, but it actually addresses a significant issue faced by iPhone users.
iPhone users confronted with a perplexing Apple TV+ app experience
It’s surprising that Apple hasn’t provided a more intuitive TV+ interface for Android users compared to iPhone users, but that appears to be the case.
Accessing the Apple TV app on iPhone presents a much more complicated TV+ experience.
You’ll find shows and movies from Apple TV+, alongside content from Disney+, Prime Video, Starz, AMC, Max, Peacock, Hulu, and more, in addition to all the programming in Apple’s digital video store (formerly known as iTunes).
The solution is straightforward: switching tabs. By tapping the app’s second tab, you’ll find content exclusively from TV+.
However, for many users—especially newcomers to Apple TV+—this configuration is quite confusing.
Over the years, I’ve frequently encountered social media posts from individuals who open the Apple TV app and mistakenly believe that the visible content is part of their TV+ subscription. They often find themselves frustrated when they discover that is not the case, leading to two undesired outcomes:
- Having to purchase that content separately through Apple’s digital store
- Or being redirected to another streamer’s app, which they may first need to download before registering for another streaming service
This situation unintentionally damages Apple TV+’s reputation.
Meanwhile, these complications are absent for Android users.
However, using an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV 4K still results in an inferior TV+ experience.
This is mainly due to the fact that on these platforms, the TV app is not primarily designed for Apple TV+; rather, it serves to consolidate content from multiple TV services.
While this method has its advantages—I appreciate the fact that most of my TV content (excluding Netflix) is available in one consolidated queue—it also benefits Apple, as they receive a share of subscription revenue when users sign up for other services or purchase videos from their store.
Nonetheless, this approach has introduced a frustrating user interface.
But there is a straightforward solution available.
The ideal path may be a new standalone TV+ app
Apple could develop a dedicated Apple TV+ app for the iPhone that would work alongside its separate aggregator app but could also function independently—similar to how other streaming apps operate.
Before proceeding with that, however, a name change might be in order.
I have previously suggested that rebranding TV+ would be a favorable move for several reasons.
In terms of launching a new app, it would avoid confusion for iPhone users who would otherwise be faced with having two apps titled ‘Apple TV+’ and ‘Apple TV.’
Until such modifications are implemented, however, Android users will continue to enjoy the streamlined, user-friendly Apple TV+ experience that iPhone users currently lack.
Apple TV+ is currently available for $9.99 per month and includes popular shows and movies such as Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, Silo, and Shrinking.
