Apple TV app icon

Entertainment · iOS

Apple TV

by Apple

Free5 MBv2.7Ages 12+
4.8Store rating
1.8MRatings
5 MBSize
2016Released

No screenshots available for this app yet.

Apple TV is a free 5 MB app that serves as both a storefront and a streaming hub, bundling Apple Originals, live sports, and third-party service access under one roof. The app has been around since late 2016 and receives consistent updates, most recently in March 2026. Its 4.78 store rating from 1.8 million users is hard to ignore, though the experience depends heavily on whether you pay for an Apple TV Plus subscription or settle for the buy-and-rent layer.

Content Depth vs. Paywall Reality

The app's headline draws are Apple Originals like Severance and The Morning Show, plus live Formula 1 coverage and Friday Night Baseball. All of that sits behind an Apple TV Plus subscription. Without one, the app essentially becomes a rental and purchase storefront alongside shortcuts to other streaming services you already pay for separately. That two-tier structure is functional but worth understanding before downloading.

A Surprisingly Lean Install

At just 5 MB, the app is almost absurdly small for what it promises to deliver. That footprint is welcome on storage-conscious devices. Version 2.7 shows Apple is still actively iterating, with a March 2026 update confirming ongoing maintenance. The app launched in December 2016, so it has had nearly a decade of refinement, and the high store rating suggests most users find the day-to-day experience polished and reliable.

Who Actually Gets the Most Out of This

Formula 1 fans and MLB followers who want live coverage in a single app will find real, concrete value here. Viewers who are deep in the Apple ecosystem and already subscribe to Apple TV Plus get the cleanest experience, with no ads and weekly new releases. Casual users who only occasionally rent a movie will find the app works fine but offers no compelling reason to open it regularly without that subscription.

Pros

  • Tiny 5 MB install size keeps device storage impact minimal
  • Consistently maintained with a March 2026 update on record
  • Live Formula 1 and Friday Night Baseball in one place for subscribers
  • No ads on Apple Originals content for subscribers
  • High store rating of 4.78 across a very large 1.8 million user sample

Cons

  • Most compelling content requires a paid Apple TV Plus subscription
  • Third-party service integration can feel like a shortcut launcher more than a true unified experience
  • No free tier with original content, only rentals and purchases without a subscription
  • Value drops significantly for users outside the Apple ecosystem
  • Live sports coverage is limited to Formula 1 and MLB Friday games, leaving other sports fans underserved