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In the eternal struggle to find the right streaming box for his home, he chose the Apple TV. It’s understandable, as you might already be bought into the Apple ecosystem with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer. One daunting task remains, however: figuring out which apps to install on your Apple TV to get the most out of them.
The good news is that an Apple TV supports many of the same apps as your other Apple devices. If you love something on iPhone or iPad, specifically something that relates to watching movies or television, it’s likely available on Apple TV as well. The same goes for apps that you have loved in a previous non-Apple streaming box.
Whether new or old to you, these essential Apple TV apps are sure to bring you something What to do on those lonely nights inside
1. Apple Arcade
“Sayonara Wild Hearts” is one of the funniest games available through Apple Arcade.
Image: annapurna interactive / simogo
You probably bought an Apple TV for the “TV” part. This is a device that exists primarily for streaming content. We understand. That said, what you may or may not have known about the Apple TV is that it is type of also a video game console.
No, this isn’t going to do anything close to what the next PS5 and Xbox Series X can do. But Apple TV is compatible with the Apple Arcade app and the subscription service that Apple launched late last year. For $ 4.99 per month alone, you get access to a library of downloadable games that grows and changes over time. You might not be very interested in Apple Arcade right now, but if you end up subscribing to the new all-encompassing Apple One service, you’ll have access to it whether you care or not.
Those taking the plunge must do two things: plug in a controller and explore. PS4 and Xbox controllers work with Apple TV if you have any lying around, so take a couple of minutes to set it up. With that done, do what you would on Netflix and browse the Arcade marketplace until you find something interesting. Sayonara Wild Hearts It is a good starting point. It is a sickly paced game about speeding neon motorcycles on motorcycles narrated by Queen Latifah.
By the way, if you already use Apple Arcade on another device, your save files will be transferred to Apple TV.
2. YouTube TV (or an equivalent of your choice)
YouTube TV is just one of many cable streaming alternatives.
Image: Omar Marques / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images
We’re sure a lot of people still subscribe to cable and we respect it. Sure, it’s expensive, but it delivers the goods. For the rest of us, there are a ton of (marginally) less expensive alternatives like YouTube TV, Sling, and Hulu with Live TV. If you subscribe to one of these, install it on your Apple TV immediately. If you don’t, most of them at least offer free trials so you can have fun for a week before uninstalling the app.
This is important because these applications can change your Apple TV from a “sometimes” device to an “always” device. People who cut the cord can find comfort here, as services like YouTube TV provide a similar amount of content with no hidden setup fees or annual contracts. If you use one of these streaming services, your Apple TV basically becomes a more elegant and useful cable box.
3. Netflix, Hulu, Disney +, etc.
The Apple TV experience looks like this, but with a smaller remote with fewer buttons.
Image: Jakub Porzycki / NurPhoto via Getty Images
We probably don’t even need to tell you to do this, but on your first visit to the Apple TV app store, head straight to all the typical streaming services you can use. These may include:
And that’s just to name a few. But seriously, your new Apple TV probably doesn’t have any of those essential streaming services pre-installed. Considering that you most likely bought the Apple TV to view these services, go ahead and fix it yourself.
(And if you need recommendations on what to watch on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or any other streaming service, let our Streaming Guides help.)
4. Grubhub
Why order food from your phone when you could order it from your television?
Image: Getty Images / Tetra images RF / Aleksandr Kuzmin
Set-top boxes are for watching movies and TV shows, right? Yes, definitely. But Apple Arcade shows that we can occasionally do other fun things with them too. Our next app on the Apple TV essentials list can literally bring you dinner.
Yes, Grubhub is available on Apple TV. You may think it is more convenient to use a phone, tablet or laptop to order delivery through the Grubhub app. We can’t say exactly what you are incorrectBut consider a scenario where multiple people order meals at the same time. Normally, you would have to ask someone to dictate exactly what they want so that you can order for them. Alternatively, you would simply hand over your phone to them and force them to do it themselves.
Neither of these solutions is ideal. Who knows what kind of push notifications you can get while someone else carefully orders sushi from your phone? With Grubhub on your Apple TV, you can transfer this process from your private device to a big screen in your living room. You may feel decadent for ordering food from your TV, but … yes, you’re right. Still, give it a try.
5. Apple TV with Apple TV +
All right, you’ve got us: we can’t tell you to install an app that comes pre-installed on all Apple TV devices. But it should still take a few minutes to scroll through the Apple TV app, because it does a bit more than you think. This may seem obvious since the app has literally the same name as the device we are talking about today, but the Apple TV app with an Apple TV + subscription is very useful.
First, we will mention that this app is not just a home for original Apple content. There’s a whole built-in “Channels” system that allows you to access content from a bunch of different services, like Showtime and CBS All Access, without installing separate apps for it. It’s a convenient home for a ton of things that you can subscribe to or be willing to try on a free trial basis.
But if you pay $ 4.99 per month (or $ 14.95 per month for Apple One), you get access to Apple TV +. This is Apple’s streaming service with a ton of original shows and movies that can attract you. Jump into the Tom Hanks WWII vehicle Greyhound if you are a dad, or want to entertain a dad, for example. The world is your oyster.
An Apple TV is a versatile device, between its gaming capabilities, streaming options, and even utility services like ordering food. To get the most out of your new Apple TV, you really can’t go wrong with any of the apps listed above. Order a burrito bowl through Grubhub, put it on Apple TV + Beastie Boys history documentary, and go crazy.
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