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10 Must-Have Apple TV Apps

 & Jordan Minor Principal Writer, Software

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Apple's obsession with stylish hardware has definitely helped the iPhone and iPad achieve their current marketplace domination. But ultimately, it's the software that really makes these products so coveted. iOS 9 is the best mobile operating system on the block, and the breadth and depth of quality programs on the App Store is staggering. Cupertino is hoping to replicate that success on the Apple TV, the company's set-top box. The latest Apple TVSEE IT runs a new operating system called tvOS complete with its own App Store. Finally, you can enjoy awesome Apple-curated apps from the comfort of your living room.

If you already have a sizable collection of iOS apps, you can't just port them over to your Apple TV. Interacting with a television is a very different than using a phone or tablet. So you're going to need some new apps to get the most out of your Apple TV. That's why we've compiled this list of the coolest Apple TV apps. You'll recognize plenty of names on this list, but they take on new, expanded, TV screen-friendly forms thanks to Apple's box. For one thing, you have to rely on input methods other than your finger. The Apple TV remote is motion-sensitive and features a small touch surface, and that's largely how you interact with your apps. Additionally, the Apple TV also has a microphone for voice control.

Our list of Apple TV apps is as varied as the types of channels you'll get with a cable package. We spotlight apps for movie fans, sports lovers, travelers, fashion lovers, fitness buffs, gamers, and more. And since tvOS restricts file sizes to 200MB for the initial download, you can load a healthy number of apps onto your Apple TV. Since the new Apple TV is only a few months old, it still has plenty of time to build up its app library and hopefully reach the heights of its phone and tablet cousins. It's like having a smart TV that keeps on learning. If you own other Apple devices as well, you should also check out our picks for the best iPad apps and iPhone apps. And, if any of you Apple TV owners think we've forgotten to include a fantastic tvOS app or two, leave a comment and tell us about it.

Airbnb

Airbnb
Free
If you're a frequent traveler, Airbnb is a fantastic resource for finding lodging. Airbnb's Apple TV app lets you browse through immersive photos of listings on your TV and make rentals with the push of a button. Aside from putting on a VR helmet, it's the closest you can get to actually visiting these spaces in person.


Beat Sports

Beat Sports
$10
With its motion-sensing remote control and casual appeal, the Apple TV is more than a little similar to the smash-hit video game console the Wii. But to be fair Nintendo has taken plenty of cues from Apple of the years. Beats Sports wants to be the Apple TV's answer to Wii Sports. It's a collection of baseball-themed minigames that turn your remote into a baseball bat.However, these games also feature music and rhythm game elements. After all, it was made by Harmonix, the creators of Rock Band.


Carrot Weather

Carrot Weather
$3.99
Talking about the weather is a classic sign of a boring conversation, but why does that have to be the case? Carrot Weather delivers forecasts powered by the excellent Dark Sky, and it offers a bit of humor to go along with its meteorology. "It's a beautiful, sunny day! Ha ha, just kidding. It's raining." On the Apple TV, Carrot Weather is like watching a snarky Weather Channel. The slick, minimalist design really pops on a big screen, too.


Gilt

Gilt
Free
When Apple announced that Gilt was coming to the Apple TV, the less fashion-savvy among us wondered what horrible thing the device had done to cause this regret. But in reality Gilt is an online shopping website with a focus on clothes and jewelry. On the Apple TV, checking out the Gilt marketplace is like strolling through aisles of luxury products. It's the best kind of window shopping.


Netflix
Free
There's no shortage of ways to watch Netflix. We've reviewed it on at least five different platforms. But the Netflix app on the Apple TV is one of the easiest ways to stream movies and TV shows on the kind of screen they're meant to be enjoyed on in your living room. The remote and voice controls makes it simple to find your next binge-watching candidates.


Plex

Plex
Free
Media server software helps you organize movies, music, photos, and any other media files you have spread across your devices. It lets you stream all your content to any device connected to your home network. Plex is by far the most user-friendly media server solution. On the Apple TV, it's even simpler to use and the content shines even brighter on your television screen. Why pay for new entertainment when you can enjoy the media you already have with a new perspective.


Streaks Workout

Streaks Workout
$2.99
With Streaks Workout on the Apple TV, you can put away your exercise tapes and turn your television into your new personal trainer. You can create a regimen based on your fitness level and equipment. The bold colorful design displays each step of your exercise routine, from lunches to crunches to squats. You can also track your progress and use other Streaks task-management apps to lead an overall healthier lifestyle. Who says TV has to be bad for you?


Transistor

Transistor
$2.99 (free if you own the iOS version)
Fortunately for gamers, the Apple TV can deliver more than just casual sports games. Transistor is a gorgeous, intelligent, and mechanically sophisticated sci-fi adventure for the PC and PlayStation 4£306.98 at Amazon UK. The action-RPG also played surprisingly well on the iPad, but on the Apple TV it returns to its true home. The remote is more than capable of controlling the game's unique, coding-based combat, but you can also sync up a traditional Bluetooth game controller. The game is free if you already purchased the iOS version, and the already stunning soundtrack even features a new song!


Vevo

Vevo
Free
Apple's takeover of the music industry with the iPod and iTunes hasn't been fantastic for music videos. But YouTube and viral videos have spared music videos the fate of radio stars. Vevo is one of the biggest names in music videos, and the Vevo Apple TV app lets you watch and listen to songs from your favorite hit artists on the biggest screen in your house. Why not put it on during your next party?


WatchESPN

WatchESPN
Free
Sports and television are already a match made in heaven. So if you're a sports fan with an Apple TV, there's no reason not to enhance your viewing with the WatchESPN app. Depending on your TV provider, WatchESPN gives you access to 24/7 streaming feeds from across ESPN's various networks. Few would deny that sitting on the couch and staring at your TV is the best way to enjoy your sports news and game days. WatchESPN on Apple TV lets you do that all the time.

About Our Expert

Jordan Minor

Jordan Minor

Principal Writer, Software

My PCMag career began in 2013 as an intern. Now, I'm a senior writer, using the skills I acquired at Northwestern University to write about dating apps, meal kits, programming software, website builders, video streaming services, and video games. I was previously a senior editor at Geek.com and have written for The A.V. Club, Kotaku, and Paste Magazine. I'm the author of the gaming history book Video Game of the Year: A Year-by-Year Guide to the Best, Boldest, and Most Bizarre Games from Every Year Since 1977, and the reason everything you know about Street Sharks is a lie.

The Technology I Use

I use the newest Android and iOS smartphones for testing, but I currently use an iPhone 14 as my personal phone. I just hate that we gave up headphone jacks.

I've always favored gaming laptops over desktops. On that note, I have a 16-inch HP Envy with an Intel Core i9-13900H CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. No matter what machine I’m working on, an alarming amount of my personal and professional life revolves around cloud-synced Google Drive files.

For food subscriptions, my household sticks with CookUnity and HelloFresh for meals. Video streaming is a bit more complicated. While there are too many services to list, we're subscribed to most of the major ones. These days, I find myself drawn to HBO Max's movies and shows, as well as Peacock's reality trash.

I've been a lifelong Nintendo fan, and I sincerely believe the Nintendo Switch will go down as one of the best gaming consoles of all time. It has an unbelievable library of new and old games from Nintendo and third-party companies. The handheld/console hybrid approach makes playing games so much more flexible, a legacy that continues with the Nintendo Switch 2 and Valve’s Steam Deck.

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