How To Get Apple Tv On My Mac

Okay, let's talk about getting Apple TV... on your Mac. Seems simple, right? Not always!

First, let's clear something up. Officially, there's no Apple TV app for your Mac. I know, I know. Deep breaths.

It's 2024. Why can't I just download an app and binge-watch Ted Lasso directly? Some mysteries are best left unsolved, I guess.

Option 1: Embrace the Browser (Yuck!)

Your first (and probably least favorite) option is the Apple TV+ website. Yes, you have to use a browser. Like it's 2005. Ugh.

Go to tv.apple.com. Log in with your Apple ID. Now you can stream.

It works, technically. But who wants more browser tabs open? Not me.

Pros:

Free (if you already subscribe to Apple TV+)
Works on pretty much any Mac with a browser.

Cons:

It's a browser.
Feels clunky compared to a dedicated app.

Option 2: AirPlay to the Rescue (Maybe?)

Do you have an Apple TV device already? Or a smart TV that supports AirPlay?

If so, you can stream from your Mac to the TV. Think of your Mac as a fancy middleman.

Find the little AirPlay icon. Usually in your menu bar or control center. Click it. Select your TV. Boom. (Hopefully.)

This can be a bit finicky sometimes. AirPlay decides to act up at the WORST possible moment.

Pros:

Get to watch on a bigger screen.
Might feel more "Apple-y" than a browser.

Cons:

Requires extra hardware.
AirPlay can be temperamental.

Option 3: Third-Party Apps? (Proceed with Caution!)

Okay, this is where things get... interesting. There are third-party apps that *claim* to bring Apple TV+ to your Mac.

I’m not going to recommend any specific ones. Use them at your own risk. Seriously.

Some of these apps might be sketchy. Others might break after an Apple update. Just a warning!

Pros:

Potentially a dedicated app experience.

Cons:

Could be unsafe.
Might not work reliably.
Apple could shut them down at any time.

Option 4: Just Get an Apple TV (Hear Me Out!)

Okay, hear me out on this one. This might be an unpopular opinion.

Why not just... get an Apple TV box? I know, I know, more gadgets. But still...

It's specifically designed for streaming. It has a remote. It's optimized for the Apple ecosystem.

It's also WAY less of a headache than messing with browsers or unreliable third-party apps. Just saying.

Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best, even if it involves buying another shiny Apple thing.

Pros:

The intended experience.
Reliable and optimized.

Cons:

Costs money.
Requires another device.

The Final Verdict (My Biased Opinion)

So, getting Apple TV+ on your Mac isn't the *smoothest* experience. Apple, are you listening? An official app would be great!

For now, I reluctantly use the browser. Or I just AirPlay to my actual Apple TV. It's less frustrating that way.

Maybe one day, we'll get that native app. Until then, happy streaming! (Or struggling to stream. You know how it goes.)