What is Apple TV+?

Apple rebranded its streaming service from Apple TV+ to simply Apple TV in October 2025. The streaming service features popular TV shows and movies, from drama and comedy to science fiction and children's programming. You can read our full review of the Apple TV streaming service here. 

One defining feature of Apple’s streaming service is that it only has original content. That means its library is significantly smaller than, say, Netflix’s. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Apple has loads of cash from its other products (ever heard of the iPhone?) that it has thrown into making huge-budget TV shows and movies with big-name directors and actors.

We’ll go over everything you need to know about Apple’s streaming service in this article, including how to sign up, what shows and movies you can watch, and which devices you can use to watch.

Apple TV+ recently upped its price to $12.99 a month. If that feels a bit steep, many people will get a free, one-year subscription when they buy a brand new Apple device.

This price point puts Apple about in the middle of the pack when you compare it to other popular streaming apps. Take a look.

As you can see, most other streaming services have several plan options. There’s a cheaper option that still includes ads (like good ol’ fashioned TV) and a pricier plan that is ad-free. Apple doesn’t do this. That $12.99 price tag is totally ad-free, and there isn’t a cheaper, ad-supported plan.

When you compare Apple’s cost to the ad-free plans from other streaming services, it’s actually among the cheapest in the biz. But before you shell out any money for Apple TV+, you should sign up for a free, seven-day trial to see if you actually like what it has to offer. 

Signing up for Apple TV+ is very easy. For most people, the easiest way to sign up will be to visit tv.apple.com in your web browser. Click the Try It Free button on the bottom left to sign up for your seven-day free trial. (You will need to give your credit card information.) You can do this on any device.

You can also subscribe to Apple TV+ by using the Apple TV app on any compatible Apple computer, tablet, phone, or TV. 

Once you open the app, follow these simple instructions:

1. If a message pops up telling you to redeem your Apple TV+ promotion, then click it and follow the instructions.
2. If you don’t see a message, select the Apple TV+ Originals tab.
3. Click on the Sign In button.
4. Select Start Free Trial.
5. Sign in with your Apple ID. If you don't have an Apple ID, then follow the instructions given to create a new one.
6. Confirm your billing information and payment method.
7. Agree to the terms and conditions.

Once you’ve completed those steps, you should be signed in and ready to watch. Keep in mind that once you sign up for a free trial, you will be automatically charged for your first month after the seven-day period, unless you cancel your subscription!

A streaming service is really only as good as its content. This is where Apple TV+ really stands out. While its library is smaller than some of the other services out there, Apple has a huge bank of cash that it uses to finance high-end dramas that don’t require a huge return on investment.

Some important series that have dropped on Apple TV+ include: For All Mankind, Slow Horses, Severance, and Hijack starring Idris Elba.

It has also financed award-winning movies, like Martin Scorcese’s 2023 Killers of the Flower Moon and 2021 Best Picture winner CODA. This makes it one of the best streaming services for movie buffs.

Apple TV+ isn’t just about serious adult dramas. It has a large slate of action and sci-fi thrillers that are perfect for a relaxing night after work. And there’s a decent selection of kids and family content, like the Peanuts cartoons and Stillwater.

Here’s a quick breakdown of some of Apple TV+’s most popular shows in different genres.

Apple TV+ is not the same thing as an Apple TV 4K/tv-service/apple-tv-4k-review/, which is a digital media streaming device (kind of like Roku). Apple TV+ is a streaming service that doesn’t come with any equipment. But it will work on most TVs, phones, and computers.

Obviously, you can watch Apple TV+ on pretty much any Apple device, including iPhones, Mac computers, iPads, and some iPods. You can sign into Apple TV+ and stream content on any smart TV or computer that has a browser.

Or you can download the Apple TV+ app, which makes it easier to stream and access many of the features on your devices. The app is available on most devices, including Samsung, Vizio, LG, Sony smart TVs, and all of the most popular streaming devices, like Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and Roku.

When you’re using the Apple TV+ app, you’ll have access to a ton of great features. These include:

• Offline viewing
• Simultaneous streaming for up to six people
• Subtitles/dubs in nearly 40 languages
• Audio descriptions in eight languages
• 4K HDR video with immersive Spatial Audio

Apple TV+’s app layout is nothing revolutionary, but that’s fine. There’s something nice about all of the streaming services looking the same: Once you know how to navigate one of them, you can use all of them.

It’s easy to find new shows and continue what you have been watching with the Apple TV+ app or in your browser.