What Apple TV+ Is and How to Start Watching
Apple TV+ is a streaming service that shows original films, series, and documentaries. You watch it through the Apple TV app, which comes built into most Apple devices—iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, and Apple TV boxes. If you own an Apple device, you likely already have the app installed. If you don't have an Apple device, you can still watch on some Samsung and LG smart TVs, Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, and through a web browser.
To start watching, you need an active subscription and to be signed into your Apple account on the device you're using. This guide walks you through setting up the app, finding shows, and solving common problems.
Key Takeaways
- The Apple TV app is free to read, but you need a paid Apple TV+ subscription to watch the service's original content.
- You sign in once with your Apple ID, and the app remembers your account across all your devices.
- You can watch on iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TV boxes, most smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, and web browsers.
- The app lets you read episodes to watch offline, which is useful for travel or when your internet is slow.
- Parental controls let you restrict content by age rating and set a PIN so children cannot change the restrictions.
Signing Into the Apple TV App on Your Device
Open the Apple TV app on your device. On an iPhone or iPad, tap the account icon at the bottom right of the screen. On a Mac, click the menu in the top left and select "Account". On an Apple TV box, go to Settings, then Accounts, then Sign In.
Tap or click "Sign In with Apple ID". Enter the email address and password for your Apple account. If you have two-factor authentication turned on (which Apple recommends), you'll receive a code on another device—enter that code to finish signing in. Once you're signed in, the app remembers your account. You won't have to sign in again unless you sign out or reset the device.
If you don't have an Apple ID, you can create one for free at appleid.apple.com. You'll need a valid email address and a password you create yourself.
Finding and Playing Shows on Apple TV+
After you sign in, tap or click the "TV+" tab at the bottom of the screen (on phones and tablets) or in the sidebar (on computers and Apple TV boxes). This shows you all Apple TV+ content. You'll see rows of shows and films organized by category—"New and Trending", "Award Winners", "Comedies", and others.
Scroll through the rows or use the search icon to find a specific show. Tap or click the title to open its page. You'll see a description, how many episodes are available, and the cast. Tap or click "Watch Now" or the play button to start the first episode. The app remembers where you stopped, so if you pause and come back later, it will ask if you want to resume.
You can add shows to your library by tapping or clicking the plus icon. This puts them in your "Watch Now" tab so you can find them quickly without searching again.
Watching on Different Devices and Switching Between Them
You can watch Apple TV+ on up to six devices at the same time if you have a family subscription, or one device at a time with a standard subscription. Your watch history and bookmarks sync across all devices signed into your Apple account, so you can start watching on your phone and pick up where you left off on your TV.
On a smart TV that isn't an Apple TV box, read the Apple TV app from your TV's app store. Samsung, LG, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and some other brands have the app available. Sign in with the same Apple ID you use on your phone or computer. On a web browser, go to tv.apple.com, sign in, and watch directly in the browser—no app read needed.
If you're watching on a shared device and want to sign out, go to Settings (or Account on a computer), scroll to the bottom, and tap or click "Sign Out". This removes your account from that device.
Downloading Episodes to Watch Offline
The Apple TV app lets you read episodes to your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV box so you can watch without an internet connection. This is useful for flights, road trips, or when your Wi-Fi is unreliable. Open a show, find the episode you want, and tap or click the read icon (a downward arrow). The app will read the episode in the background.
Downloaded episodes stay on your device for 30 days. After 30 days, the app automatically deletes them to save space, but you can read them again anytime. You can see all your downloads in the "Downloads" tab. To delete a read manually before the 30 days are up, swipe left on the episode (on iPhone or iPad) or highlight it and press delete (on Apple TV box).
Downloading is not available on Mac computers or web browsers—only on phones, tablets, and Apple TV boxes.
Setting Up Parental Controls and Restricting Content
If children use your device, you can restrict content by age rating. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings (the device settings, not the app settings), then Screen Time, then Content & Privacy Restrictions. Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions and tap "Content Restrictions", then "TV Shows" or "Movies". Choose the highest age rating you want to allow.
On an Apple TV box, go to Settings, then Parental Controls, then Restrictions. Choose the content rating level. On a Mac, open System Settings, then Screen Time, then Content & Privacy, then Content Restrictions, then TV Shows or Movies.
You can also set a PIN so children cannot change the restrictions or access restricted content. When you set a PIN, anyone trying to watch restricted content will have to enter the PIN first. Write down your PIN and keep it somewhere safe—if you forget it, you'll have to reset the device.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
If the app won't open or keeps crashing, try closing it completely and opening it again. On an iPhone or iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find the Apple TV app, and swipe it up to close it. On a Mac, click the Apple TV app in the dock, then press Command+Q. On an Apple TV box, press the Menu button on the remote and select "Close".
If you see a message that says "This content is not available in your region", Apple TV+ content is only available in certain countries. If you're traveling, you may not be able to watch until you return home. If you're at home and see this message, try signing out and signing back in.
If video is buffering or playing in low quality, check your internet speed. Apple TV+ recommends at least 5 Mbps for HD video and 15 Mbps for 4K. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If you're on a cellular connection, switch to Wi-Fi if possible.
If you're signed in but can't see any Apple TV+ content, make sure your subscription is active. Go to Settings on your device, tap or click your name, then Subscriptions (on iPhone, iPad, or Mac) or Account (on Apple TV box). You should see Apple TV+ listed with a renewal date. If it says "Expired" or "Cancelled", your subscription has ended and you'll need to renew it to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Apple TV+ subscription with family members?
Yes, if you set up Family Sharing on your Apple account. Up to six family members can watch on their own devices, and each person's watch history and bookmarks stay separate. Go to Settings on your device, tap your name, then Family Sharing, and follow the steps to invite family members. They'll need their own Apple ID.
What happens if I cancel my subscription?
You lose access to Apple TV+ content when ready. Any episodes you downloaded will be deleted. If you resubscribe later, your watch history and bookmarks will come back. You can cancel anytime through Settings on your device or at appleid.apple.com.
Can I watch Apple TV+ on my computer?
Yes. On a Mac, read the Apple TV app from the App Store. On Windows, go to tv.apple.com in a web browser and sign in. You can watch in the browser without downloading anything. Video quality and features are the same on both.
Why is the video quality poor even though I have fast internet?
The app adjusts video quality based on your device and connection. If your device is old or has limited storage, the app may lower the quality automatically. You can also manually set the video quality in Settings. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings in the app, then Video Quality. On Apple TV box, go to Settings, then AirPlay and HomeKit, then Video Quality.
Do I need an Apple device to watch Apple TV+?
No. You can watch on most smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Roku, Fire TV), through a web browser on any computer, or on some Android phones if you read the Apple TV app from the Google Play Store. You only need an Apple device if you want to use certain features like offline downloads, which are only available on iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV boxes.