How to Use the Apple TV App on Your Roku Devices
The Apple TV app is now available for Roku devices. It allows you to access movies and shows purchased from Apple, subscribe to premium channels, and subscribe to the Apple TV+ streaming service.
With Apple rolling out its Apple TV+ streaming service on November 1st, it is making its Apple TV app available on Roku devices. The Apple TV app is launching on Roku streaming devices and Roku-powered TVs.
Not only can you use the Apple TV app on your Roku for Apple’s streaming service, but you can access everything else it has available. This includes your iTunes video library. Just as if you were using it on your iPhone or Apple TV box.
Apple TV+ on Roku Devices
To get started, install the Apple TV app on your Roku device from the Channel Store. You can either install it from the Roku website or search for “Apple TV” directly on your device to get it.
The first time you launch it, you will have set up screens. One of which is the option not to send Apple any viewing and usage analytics. This is nice if you are concerned about Apple tracking your viewing habits.
For more on preventing ad tracking on streaming devices, check out our article: How to Limit Ad Tracking on Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV, and Chromecast.
The app looks just like it does on Apple TV, iPad, or iPhone. It has the same categories as Watch Now, Movies, TV Shows, and Kids at the top. And you can scroll through to browse titles and view trailers.
But to view content, and more importantly, see your purchased iTunes video content (movies and shows bought from Apple), you’ll need to log in with your Apple ID. Head to Settings > Accounts > Sign in. Then log in using your mobile device or directly on the Roku device.
After you sign in, you will have access to your iTunes video collection. Your recently viewed movies and shows will sync between your devices that have the app installed. You can also start renting and purchasing movies and TV shows from Apple.
Easier to View Your Apple Content
The app turns your Roku device into a sort of “poor man’s Apple TV,” so to speak. Of course, it doesn’t give you the functionality of tvOS 13. But gives you full access to your iTunes video library.
For example, I have an Apple TV connected to my main entertainment center in the living room. Now, I can access the content I’ve bought from Apple on the Roku stick in my bedroom.
Adding another Apple TV box starts at $149.99 (4th Gen, HD, and not 4K). And the Roku Premiere+ streaming stick goes for just $39.99 — and it’s 4K HDR.
It’s also worth noting that while you can subscribe to premium channels via The Roku Channel, you can also do it from the Apple TV app. This is helpful if you want your primary premium channel billing to go through Apple.
The Apple TV app is free to download on your Roku device. If you want to subscribe to Apple TV+ for Apple’s original content, that will cost $4.99 per month.
