Apple TV Plus: The ultimate guide

Apple TV Plus' Ted Lasso
Apple TV Plus' Ted Lasso (Image credit: iMore / Apple)

Apple TV+ is a premium video entertainment product available on an ever-expanding list of devices that goes well beyond the Apple TV boxes the company sells. With shows like Ted Lasso and Severance taking the world by storm, Apple has proven that it knows how to produce binge-worthy content to rival fellow streaming services such as Netflix and HBO Max, as well as new challengers like Paramount+ and Disney+. Here's everything you need to know about the service.

What is Apple TV+?

Like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Hulu before it, Apple TV+ is a premium video streaming service featuring original content that was first introduced in November 2019. But, in this case, surprise, surprise, it comes from the iPhone maker -- and with this endeavor, Apple became a force in Hollywood, known for award-winning series, films, and documentaries.

Apple TV+ offers a growing library of original content featuring some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and many others. The service continues to expand its content library regularly.

Indeed, the excellent comedies, documentaries, and dramas, Apple TV Plus received a record-breaking 52 prime time Emmy nominations in 2022. So if you’re looking for your next binge-watch or want a high-quality series to get tucked into, you’re in the right place. The best Apple TV+ shows rival anything you'll find on the internet. 

Apple TV+: What are the best movies?

Apple TV+ has a growing library of original films -- including one that won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Here's a sampling, but see our list of the best movies on Apple TV+ for more inspiration.

Apple TV+: What are the best shows?

Filled with excellent comedies, documentaries, and dramas, Apple TV+ received 52 prime time Emmy nominations in 2022. Looking for a binge-watch? You’re in the right place. See our guide to the best Apple TV+ shows for more recommendations.

Apple TV+: How much does cost?

Apple TV+ is priced at $4.99 per month and allows six total family members to share the same subscription. In addition, new Apple device owners receive a free three-month subscription of Apple TV+. You must claim the free subscription within three months of activating the new device.

Apple TV+: Where is it available?

Apple TV+ is available on the broader Apple TV app. The app is available across different Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. This includes the latest Apple TV 4K. It's also accessible on supported Samsung, LG, VIZIO, and Sony smart TVs, Roku, FireTV, Google TV, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Apple TV+: How to get started

Apple TV+ Apple TV interface

Apple TV+ Apple TV interface (Image credit: Joseph Keller / iMore)

If you aren't entitled to a free subscription, you can sign up for the service through the TV app on any Apple device or by visiting tv.apple.com. Each new subscription comes with a seven-day free trial. If you're familiar with watching content through the Apple TV app, you should have no problem enjoying Apple TV+ content (hint: the steps are the same).

Watching content through your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad:

  1. Tap on the TV app on your mobile device.
  2. Click on an Apple TV+ show on your Up Next list.
  3. Alternatively, scroll down to What to Watch or one of the other TV and movie sections.
  4. Or choose the Originals tab at the bottom of the app.
  5. Click Play Episode.
  6. Alternatively, scroll down and click on the Download cloud to save the episode to watch offline.

To select a TV show and start playing Apple TV+, tap on the TV app, then click on an Apple TV+ show on your Up Next list. You can also tap on a show under the What to Watch section. Click Play Episode (Image credit: iMore)

Watching content on Apple TV:

  1. Tap on the TV app on Apple TV.
  2. Click on an Apple TV+ show on your Up Next list.
  3. Alternatively, scroll down to What to Watch or one of the other TV and movie sections.
  4. Click Play Episode.

To watch on Apple TV, tap on the TV app, click on the Apple TV+ show on your Up Next list. You can also scroll down to What to Watch and find something to watch. Click Play Episode. (Image credit: iMore)

Watching content on Mac:

  1. Open the TV app from your Dock or Applications folder (macOS Catalina or later required).
  2. Click on an Apple TV+ show on your Up Next list.
  3. Alternatively, scroll down to What to Watch or one of the other TV and movie sections.
  4. Click Play Episode.
  5. Alternatively, you can click Download to save the episode for offline viewing.

To watch on Mac, top the TV app, click on an Apple TV+ show on your Up Next list or find one under the What to Watch section. Click Play Episode or click Download to save for offline viewing. (Image credit: iMore)

Watching content through the web:

  1. Go to tv.apple.com through your web browser.
  2. Click Sign In at the top right of the screen.
  3. Log in to your account with your Apple ID and password.

To watch Apple TV+ on the web, visit the Apple TV+ website, then Sign In. Log into your account with your Apple ID and password. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Play Next next to the series you wish to watch.
  2. Alternatively, click Go to Show for more series information.

To watch Apple TV+ on the web, click Play Next, or select Go to Show for more series or movie information. (Image credit: iMore)

Apple TV+: How to set parental controls

You can set parental controls for Apple TV+ content just as you would for other content. The directions differ by device: iPhone/iPad, Apple TV, and Mac.

Through the web, you can adjust parental controls for Apple TV+ as follows:

  1. Go to tv.apple.com through your web browser.
  2. Click Sign In at the top right of the screen.
  3. Log into your account with your Apple ID and password.

To watch Apple TV+ on the web, visit the Apple TV+ website, then Sign In. Log into your account with your Apple ID and password. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click on your account at the top right.
  2. Select Account Settings.
  3. Scroll down, make changes under Parental Controls.

To change or set Apple TV+ parental controls, then click on your account at the top right. Select Account Settings, then scroll down to make changes under Parental Controls. (Image credit: iMore)

Apple TV+: How to use Family Sharing

Apple TV+ is $4.99 a month and included in this low price is the ability to share with up to five other family members through Family Sharing.

If you don't use Family Sharing, Apple TV+ will still cost the same and work with your Apple ID. But the best value is to share your low-cost subscription with five other people.

Once you set up Family Sharing, other people in the Family should be able to access TV+ across all platforms.

Apple TV+: How to continue watching elsewhere

Apple TV+

Apple TV+ (Image credit: Bryan M. Wolfe / iMore)

Apple TV+ has been designed to make it easy to watch content across all of your devices. To move back and forth between devices:

  1. Pause the content on your device.
  2. On another machine, tap the series under Up Next.

You'll pick up on your new device where you left off on the other.

Apple TV+: How to manage or cancel your subscription

An Apple TV+ subscription is like any other app subscription across the Apple universe. As such, managing or canceling your subscription is also the same.

Apple TV+: Enhanced with an Apple One bundle

You can also purchase an Apple TV+ subscription by going all-in with an Apple One membership. For as little as $15/month, you can access Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and 50GB of iCloud.

Bryan M Wolfe
Staff Writer

Bryan M. Wolfe has written about technology for over a decade on various websites, including TechRadar, AppAdvice, and many more. Before this, he worked in the technology field across different industries, including healthcare and education. He’s currently iMore’s lead on all things Mac and macOS, although he also loves covering iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Bryan enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, traveling, and driving around his teenage daughter to her latest stage show, audition, or school event in his spare time. He also keeps busy walking his black and white cocker spaniel, Izzy, and trying new coffees and liquid grapes.