What You Get With an Apple TV+ Subscription

Apple TV+ is a streaming service you pay a monthly fee to access. When you subscribe, you get unlimited streaming of Apple's original shows, films, and documentaries on any device where you sign in with your Apple account. There are no ads, no rental fees for individual titles, and no limit to how many times you can watch the same show or movie.

Your subscription covers one account, but you can share it with family members through Family Sharing. Each person in your family group can have their own profile, watch history, and recommendations, and up to six people can stream at the same time on different devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple TV+ costs $9.99 per month for a standard subscription, though the price may vary if you bundle it with other Apple services or have a student discount.
  • You can watch on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and some smart TVs and streaming devices, but you need to sign in with your Apple account each time.
  • Family Sharing lets up to six people watch simultaneously on different devices, each with their own profile and watch history.
  • You can cancel anytime through your Apple account settings, and your access stops at the end of your current billing period.
  • Apple sometimes offers free trial periods, usually seven days, though this depends on your device and whether you have used a trial before.

How Much Apple TV+ Costs and Payment Options

A standard Apple TV+ subscription costs $9.99 per month in the United States. You pay through your Apple account using the payment method you have on file—usually a credit card, debit card, or Apple Gift Card. Your bill renews automatically on the same date each month unless you cancel.

If you are a student, you may be able to get Apple TV+ as part of Apple Music Student, which includes both services for $5.99 per month. You can also bundle Apple TV+ with Apple Music and Apple Arcade through Apple One, which starts at $16.95 per month depending on which services you include. Some carriers and device makers occasionally offer free months or discounted rates as part of promotions, so check your phone bill or device documentation if you recently purchased an Apple product.

Devices You Can Watch On

Apple TV+ works on a wide range of devices. You can stream on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV boxes. The service also works on many smart TVs, including Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio models made in recent years. You can also watch through streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Google Chromecast.

To watch on any device, you sign in with your Apple account. If you do not have an Apple account, you can create one for free at iCloud.com. Once you are signed in, your subscription follows you—you do not need to sign in again on the same device unless you sign out or reset it.

How to Start Your Subscription

To start an Apple TV+ subscription, open the Apple TV app on any compatible device or go to tv.apple.com on a web browser. Tap or click the Apple TV+ tab, then select "Try It Free" or "Subscribe." You will be asked to sign in with your Apple account or create one if you do not have one yet.

During sign-up, Apple will confirm the payment method on your account and show you the monthly price. If you are may be able to access for a free trial, it will be offered at this point—usually seven days. After the trial ends, your subscription will begin and you will be charged the monthly fee. If you do not want to continue after the trial, you must cancel before the trial period ends to avoid being charged.

How Family Sharing Works

Family Sharing lets you share your Apple TV+ subscription with up to five other family members, for a total of six people. To set this up, go to Settings on your device, tap your name, select Family Sharing, and add family members by their email address or phone number. They will receive an invitation and can accept it through their own Apple account.

Once someone joins your Family Sharing group, they automatically have access to your Apple TV+ subscription. Each person gets their own profile in the Apple TV app, so their watch history and recommendations stay separate. Up to six people can stream different content at the same time, though if more than six try to watch simultaneously, the oldest stream will stop and the person watching will see a message asking them to try again later.

How to Cancel Your Subscription

You can cancel Apple TV+ anytime through your Apple account settings. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name, select Subscriptions, find Apple TV+, and tap Cancel Subscription. On Mac, open System Preferences, click your name, select Subscriptions, find Apple TV+, and click Cancel. On a web browser, go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, scroll to Subscriptions, find Apple TV+, and click Manage.

When you cancel, your access stops at the end of your current billing period. You will not be charged again, but you can still watch until that date arrives. If you change your mind before the billing date, you can resubscribe through the same process, and your profile and watch history will still be there.

What Happens If You Share Your Password

Apple TV+ is meant to be shared only through Family Sharing with people in your household. If you share your Apple account password with someone outside your family, you are technically breaking the terms of service, though Apple does not actively police this. However, if too many people use the same account from different locations, Apple may ask you to verify your identity or restrict access.

A safer way to share with close friends is to add them to your Family Sharing group, though this gives them access to your entire Apple account, not just Apple TV+. If you want to share only the streaming service without sharing other account details, Family Sharing is the only official method Apple provides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Apple TV+ on my TV if I do not have an Apple TV box?

Yes. If your TV is a smart TV made by Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, or another major brand from the last few years, the Apple TV app is likely built in. You can also use a Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Google Chromecast device to stream Apple TV+ to any TV with an HDMI port.

What if I forget to cancel before my free trial ends?

You will be charged the monthly subscription fee. You can still cancel after being charged, and depending on your payment method and how long you have been subscribed, you may be able to request a refund through Apple Support. Contact them through appleid.apple.com or the Apple TV app.

Can I use the same Apple TV+ account on multiple devices at once?

Yes, up to six people can stream simultaneously if they are part of your Family Sharing group, each on their own device. If you are trying to watch on multiple devices with the same account (not through Family Sharing), only one stream will work at a time.

Does Apple TV+ have ads?

No. Apple TV+ does not show ads on any subscription tier. You pay one monthly price and watch all content without interruption. This is different from some other streaming services that offer a cheaper ad-supported plan.

What if I move to a different country?

Apple TV+ works in most countries, but the price and available content may differ. If you move, you may need to update your location in your Apple account settings. Your subscription will continue, but you will be charged in the local currency and may see different shows and movies available in your region.