The Apple TV app is available to download on Roku devices, but not on every Roku player and smart TV. Generally speaking, as long as the Roku player is a relatively newer model, consumers should not run into any issues when trying to download the app. For those using a smart TV powered by Roku, support for Apple TV will depend on the model.
Originally only available on Apple’s own devices, Apple TV has slowly become accessible on many other devices and platforms. However, there are still some gaps in device support. Even though Apple TV is not the same as Apple TV+, anyone wanting to watch shows and movies included with the company’s subscription service will likely need to download the Apple TV app on their device.
Roku is already a widely supported platform and owners of a streaming player or TV running Roku should generally not encounter many issues with app support. Considering Roku OS is pretty much a TV-first operating system, the level of support for video streaming apps in particular is just about as good as it gets. This also includes the Apple TV app which is widely available on Roku players and TVs.
That said, widely available is not quite the same as available on every model, so Roku users should still check to make sure their particular device is compatible to avoid problems. The list of currently supported Roku players below includes both the name and model number of compatible devices. For any devices not listed below, whether they are likely to gain support in the future typically depends on the age of the device.
Roku players compatible with Apple TV:
- Roku 2 (4210X, 4205X)
- Roku 3 (4200X, 4230X)
- Roku Express (3900X, 3930X, 3940X)
- Roku Express+ (3910X, 3931X, 3941X)
- Roku Express HD (3932X)
- Roku Streaming Stick (3600X, 3800X, 3820X)
- Roku Streaming Stick+ (3810X, 3811X, 3821X)
- Roku Premiere (3920X, 4620X)
- Roku Premiere+ (3921X, 4630X)
- Roku Ultra (4640X, 4660X, 4661X, 4670X, 4800X)
- Roku Ultra LT (4662X)
- Roku Smart Soundbar (9100X. 9101X, 9102X)
When it comes to smart TVs running Roku OS, the support for Apple TV largely comes down to the following 4K models: 6000X, 7000X, A000X, C000X, G000X, and the following 8K models: E000X. In addition, the 8000X and D000X Roku TV models are also listed as supported. If unsure of the model number, it can be found by opening the Settings menu on the device and then navigating to System, and then About. Alternatively, Roku users can simply try to download the Apple TV app on the device.
Downloading Apple TV on Roku
Providing a compatible Roku player or TV is being used, the Apple TV app can be downloaded directly to the Roku device. This can be done by either searching for the app on the Roku device or by sending it to a device from the Roku Channel Store. Once downloaded, the user will then need to sign in to their Apple account before they can watch any of the shows or movies available through Apple TV. An Apple TV+ subscription will also be required for anyone wanting to access any of the shows or movies that are only available through Apple’s streaming service.
For those who already own another Apple device, such as an iPhone or an iPad, their Apple ID can be used to access the Apple TV app. For those without an existing Apple ID, one will need to be created, and the option should be available within the app. Depending on the device, this may require the user to be redirected to tv.apple.com to complete the process. This also might mean having to use another device, such as a smartphone or laptop, to set up the account and ID. As part of the process, Apple also typically requires a payment method to be linked to the account, to help with rentals, purchases and subscriptions.
With an Apple ID created and ready, the Roku user can simply use the ID to log into the Apple TV app. Once done, they’ll be able to watch any content that’s linked to the same Apple ID, including any Apple TV channels, or take advantage of the ability to rent or buy videos through the app. Again, if Apple TV+ content is wanted, a subscription is required with the price currently set at $4.99 per month for unlimited, ad-free access.
Apple TV on Roku summary
Apple TV may have been harder to access on non-Apple devices in the past, but the times have changed, and the app is now widely available on a variety of platforms, including Roku. However, not every Roku player or smart TV is automatically supported, with the compatibility typically determined by the age of the device. Providing the Roku player is fairly new, the Apple TV app should be available to download directly on the device or from the Roku Channel Store. For smart TVs, the support will depend on the specific model.
Once the app has been downloaded on a compatible Roku device, the user will need to log in to Apple TV with an Apple ID. For those without an existing Apple ID, one will need to be created and this will require linking a payment method to the account. While Apple TV+ is accessible though the Apple TV app, it does require a $4.99 monthly subscription.
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