Apple Reportedly Creating an Apple TV App for Android Devices

Apple versus Android is perhaps the best-known feud in the tech world. The devout following that Apple has built with its devices may not be as large as Android’s pool of device users, but Apple has maintained a level of exclusivity by limiting many of its most popular features to its own devices in order to encourage more and more trend-chasing customers to make the switch. But a new report from Bloomberg indicates that Apple is preparing to change course a bit, at least with one feature, by finally agreeing to create an Apple TV app that will allow viewers to stream Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass on Android mobile phones and tablets.

Key Details:

• Apple is seeking an engineer to help it build a new version of the Apple TV app for Android devices.
• Previously, customers on these devices had to watch Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass via the web.
• The newly overhauled Apple TV app was launched to audiences on other devices in late 2023.

Bloomberg’s report is based on a new job listing published by Apple, which seeks an engineer to “help build an application used by millions to watch and discover TV and sports.” Apple did not comment further on the posting, but it strongly suggests that the company is finally ready to expand the Apple TV app to Android mobile devices.

Expanding to Android could be a significant move in terms of building scale for both Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass. There are more than 3 billion Android-powered mobile phones and tablets in use throughout the world, and while Apple TV+ has never publicly revealed its subscriber totals, most estimates put it between 40-50 million customers, a number it has hovered around for years. MLS Season Pass confirmed before the start of the 2024 season that it added another 2 million subscribers to Apple’s streaming total.

The Apple TV app is already available on a wide range of devices outside of the Apple ecosystem, including streaming dongles and smart TV sets using the Android TV operating system. But the mobile version of the Apple TV app for Android will be built from the ground up, as the job listing calls for someone who can “design and architect a sophisticated application.”

Viewers were always able to watch Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass on Android mobile devices via web browser, but having a native app will likely provide audiences with more features, such as the ability to download shows and movies for offline viewing.

What’s New with the Apple TV App?

For Android users who haven’t picked up an Apple product in a few years, the new Apple TV layout will be quite different than the old one. The service houses both Apple’s streaming services, as well as the digital movie purchase and rental store that customers used to find on the iTunes platform.

Apple first announced the major redesign of its TV app last October, and gave the platform multiple new features. Apple TV now offers a universal guide to show viewers titles across all participating streaming services, including Max and Disney+. Viewers can also set up multiple profiles on Apple TV for more personalized recommendations.

The expansion of Apple TV to Android platforms is just the latest example of Apple’s willingness to play nicely with longtime rivals. The company created dedicated Apple Music and TV apps for Windows last year, another sign that the company is relying more and more on revenues generated by its subscription services.