DirecTV Stream is available on a number of smart TVs and streaming players including popular models from Apple, Amazon and Roku, but some still may find the supported device list to be more limiting than with other services. Due to this, consumers considering subscribing to the live TV service should check and make sure that their preferred devices are supported before signing up.
Formerly known as AT&T TV, AT&T TV Now and DirecTV Now, DirecTV Stream was rebranded in 2021. In spite of the change in name, most of the underlying details have remained the same, including the plans, the channel selection and even the supported devices. With the cheapest plan starting at $69.99 per month and the most expensive base pack costing $139.99, it is not the most affordable option around, but some consumers may find the channel selection is far more to their liking than with Hulu Live TV, Sling TV or YouTube TV.
Whether completely new to streaming, or just in need of a new player in general, DirecTV Stream does actually offer its own ‘DirecTV Stream Device’ for consumers to consider. Arguably, this is the easiest way to access the service, and the device can be purchased outright for $120 or added to one of the existing plans for $5 per month (on a 24-month basis). The DirecTV Stream Device does come with Google Assistant support and a variety of other streaming apps can also be downloaded from the Google Play Store.
DirecTV Stream supported devices
For those that do not intend to purchase DirecTV Stream’s own device, the service is compatible with a number of other devices as well. However, the list is still somewhat limited. Of course, this may change over time so any devices that are currently not supported, could gain support at a later date.
DirecTV Stream supported devices: full list
- Amazon Fire TV (2nd gen or higher)
- Amazon Fire TV Stick (2nd gen or higher)
- Amazon Fire TV Edition Smart TV (2nd gen or higher)
- Amazon Fire TV Cube
- Android phones and tablets (Android 5.0 minimum)
- Apple TV (4th gen)
- Apple TV 4K (5th gen)
- Chrome browser (version 58 minimum)
- Chromecast Built-in TVs (select models)
- Chromecast (2nd gen and higher)
- DIRECTV STREAM Device
- iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch (iOS 11 minimum)
- Roku Streaming Stick (3500X, 3600X, 3800X)
- Roku Streaming Stick+ (3810X, 3811X)
- Roku Express (3700X, 3900X, 3930X)
- Roku Express+ (3710X, 3910X, 3931X)
- Roku Premiere (3920X, 4620X)
- Roku Premiere+ (3921X, 4630X)
- Roku Ultra (4640X, 4660X, 4661X, 4670X)
- Roku LT (2700X)
- Roku 1 SE (2710X)
- Roku 2 (2720 X, 4210X)
- Roku 3 (4200X, 4230X)
- Roku 4 (4400X)
- 4K Roku TV (6000X, 7000X, A000X, C000X, C000GB)
- Roku Smart Soundbar (9100X)
- Safari browser (version 13 minimum)
- Samsung Smart TVs (2017 and newer models)
One of the most notable omissions here is the lack of Android TV support. This is all the more surprising considering the DirecTV Stream Device is actually based on Android TV. Whether the company looking to encourage adoption of its own device is the reason why the service lacks Android/Google TV support in general, this limited platform support is likely to impact on a number of consumers, including those hoping to stream on their existing smart TV.
DirecTV Stream on a smart TV
Smart TVs might be one of the most problematic areas for anyone considering signing up for DirecTV Stream due to the very limited level of support. In fact, Samsung is currently the only TV-maker listed as a dedicated supported brand, ruling out those homes already using an LG or a Vizio smart TV. Even then, the Samsung smart TV support only extends back to models released in 2017. If a consumer is using a 2017 or newer Samsung TV, they shouldn’t have any major issues with downloading the DirecTV Stream app directly on their device.
As mentioned, Android TV is similarly lacking in support. This is likely to be a problem for a number of consumers, and some might not even be aware of the problem. Unlike Samsung, LG and Vizio (who all tend to use their own proprietary operating system), Android TV (also now known as Google TV) is used to power the streaming experience on TVs from a variety of different brands. Due to the lack of general platform support, owners of TVs from companies like Sony, Sharp, and Hisense, may find they are unable to download the DirecTV Stream app on their device.
However, it is worth noting the available Amazon Fire TV Edition and Roku support here. This will make it possible for a number of homes to watch on their TV without the need for an additional device, as both solutions are commonly used as the operating system for a variety of smart TVs. As long as the smart TV either comes with the Amazon App Store or the Roku Channel Store installed, the user should be able to directly download DirecTV Stream on their smart TV. While there are also some limitations with Fire TV Edition and Roku smart TV support, these mostly come down to the age of the device.
DirecTV Stream on a streaming player
Similar to the smart TV situation, DirecTV Stream offers a mixed support bag for streaming players and, once again, Android/Google TV is likely to be the biggest hurdle for some to overcome. Even though its own player runs on a version of Android TV, DirecTV Stream cannot currently be downloaded on other Android/Google TV devices, including the Nvidia Shield TV and Xiaomi Mi Box. As a result, owners of either of these devices will need to consider using a different streaming player if they want to watch DirecTV Stream.
Android/Google TV aside, the support is a little better elsewhere. For example, newer Apple TV players are supported, as are a variety of Roku players, including the Streaming Stick, Express, Premier and Ultra, and Amazon Fire TV devices, including the Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Cube. In fact, with the support also extending to some older Roku and Fire TV models as well, Roku and Amazon are some of the best options overall for those looking to watch DirecTV Stream on a streaming player.
Furthermore, some subscribers may also find that some of their other devices are supported as well. Take, for example, the Roku Smart Soundbar. Although this is primarily a sound bar, it does also come with Roku built-in, making it possible to download the DirecTV Stream app and bypass any support issues for streaming players or smart TVs that the audio device is connected to.
Other ways to watch DirecTV Stream
If all of the above options have been exhausted and consumers find that they are still unable to watch DirecTV Stream on their current devices, there may be some additional options worth considering. The first is a browser. DirecTV Stream can be accessed directly through Google Chrome or Apple’s Safari browser. If a device also currently supports either of these browsers, then this is one option for watching live TV and on-demand content. This also does mean that consumers can connect their Windows laptop or MacBook to a smart TV to act as a device support bridge.
Alternatively, the DirecTV Stream app can also be downloaded on Android phones (and tablets) as well as iPhone (and iPad). This not only makes it possible for smartphone users to watch directly on their phones, but it could also be an option for watching on the big screen at home by casting live TV or videos directly from the phone to a smart TV or streaming player that supports either Chromecast or AirPlay.
While the use of a browser or a smartphone as an intermediary device is not ideal, they are still options for those specifically interested in watching DirecTV Stream on any devices that are not currently supported. Once again, support lists do evolve over time so it is possible that currently unsupported devices will gain support in the future.
DirecTV Stream supported devices summary
Compared to some of the other major live TV streaming services, DirecTV Stream is slightly more limited in terms of the device support. The most obvious example of this is the general lack of Android/Google TV support. This will automatically rule out a number of homes that rely on smart TVs or streaming players powered by Android/Google TV. Likewise, LG and Vizio smart TV owners will also find that they cannot watch DirecTV Stream without the help of another device, with Samsung the only dedicated TV brand to come with the ability to download the app directly on a smart TV.
For those individuals and households without a supported smart TV or streaming player, their best option might be to consider using the browser or smartphone support as a way to connect DirecTV Stream to their preferred devices while waiting to see if their devices gain support in the future. Alternatively, they may also just want to consider using a different live TV service that already comes with the device support they need.
