Apple TV+ launched in 2019, backed by big celebrity names, though it didn't exactly do so with a bang. There's a reason why Apple gave away a free year of the service with purchase of select hardware. Subscriber numbers were slow to grow, especially when compared with giants like Netflix and Hulu.
So, is it worth subscribing to Apple TV+ now? Perhaps not. Since there are so many streaming services available, you might want to save your money. Here are all the reasons why you might want to avoid subscribing to Apple TV+.
1. Not Enough Content
Though Apple TV+ has a smattering of licensed content, the majority of the shows and movies on the service are original. That's great because it means that you're not scrolling through countless things you've seen elsewhere.
However, it also means that Apple TV+ just doesn't have much content. You'll probably burn through everything that you want to watch in a month or two, if that.
Related: The Best Shows to Watch on Apple TV+
It didn't help that the COVID-19 pandemic delayed filming on further original productions. Though Apple purchased rights to films like Tom Hank's Greyhound to help fill the gap, it still wasn't as much as competitors like Disney+ and Netflix were able to pump out.
With time, Apple TV+ will get more programming, but right now it's perhaps not enough. Apple TV+ launch shows like The Morning Show and Dickinson have had multiple seasons and more original content is slowly emerging.
2. Episodes Debut Weekly
Nowadays, the idea of waiting a week to watch the next episode of your latest favorite show seems archaic. When Netflix releases a show, it drops all the episodes at once. It means you can watch at your own pace. For many, that means binge-watching.
Related: The Pros and Cons of Binge-Watching Television
That's not how Apple TV+ plays, instead opting to release new episodes every week.
Apple would probably claim this helps build hype and anticipation, and lets you savor the show. But it really just keeps you tied in to your subscription for longer.
3. Some Devices Aren't Supported
If you have a modern smart TV, games console, or streaming stick, then you are in luck—there's likely an Apple TV+ app.
However, if you own a device from 2018 or prior, chances are Apple TV+ doesn't support it. For example, while you can download an app for every streaming service under the sun on your 2018 Samsung smart TV, Apple TV+ won't be one of them.
Perhaps you own an Android phone or tablet; the operating system has over 70% market share. Well, there's no Apple TV+ app. You can watch in the browser, but the experience isn't as smooth as a dedicated app. It's unfortunate that Apple are choosing to cut off such a large number of users.
4. No User Profiles
If you want to share your Apple TV+ account with others and you're not bought into the wider Apple ecosystem, good luck.
While you can use Apple's Family Sharing feature to connect Apple IDs together, this is far from the convenient in-app solution that most streaming services offer for creating profiles.
It means that if you have multiple people in the same household watching Apple TV+, it's impossible to maintain individual watch progress.
5. Overly Complicated Account System
If you want to use Apple TV+ on some devices, the account system can be unnecessarily confusing.
You have to create an Apple ID, which is fine, but for some devices you'll need to go through additional verification. You have to download, install, and verify your account via iTunes—but if you don't use the program in the first place, that's a hassle.
Also, you best hope you don't encounter a bug in the process which stops you from accepting iTunes' account terms because then you'll need to contact Apple support to get it resolved.
6. Lack of Regional Programming
When Apple TV+ launched, collaborations with partners like Steven Spielberg and Jennifer Aniston drew headlines. While the big names are impressive, Apple TV+'s content is decidedly Hollywood.
Unlike Netflix, which has produced foreign-language shows like Squid Game and Narcos and made them global successes, Apple TV+ falls short when it comes to global representation.
While it's slowly improving, like the Spanglish comedy Acapulco, it still has a long way to go.
7. The Interface Can Be Confusing
If you didn't realize Apple TV and Apple TV+ were two different things, don't worry. You aren't the only one.
Related: What Is Apple TV+? Everything You Need to Know
Apple doesn't make it any easier to understand because on some devices it blends Apple TV and Apple TV+ content together by default, the former of which consists of purchasable and rentable content outside the latter's subscription. Even when you switch to the dedicated Apple TV+ tab, the change isn't persistent—you'll need to do it again when you open the app later.
The app's homepage might look stylish, but it's not as easy to navigate as it should be. Entire rows are dedicated to single shows or movies. Undoubtedly, this is to mask the service's lack of content, but it's a waste of space. In fairness, the consistent position of the "Continue Watching" row is something Netfix, Amazon Prime Video, et al. would do well to learn from.
Unfortunately, the app is also not great at remembering your position when watching something. If you pause watching halfway through, back out, and then return later, chances are it'll start playback at the beginning. That's annoying enough, but the less-than-ideal fast-forward controls compound the issue.
Is Apple TV+ Right For You?
These are all the big reasons for why you might want to save $5 a month and avoid subscribing to Apple TV+. There are plenty of other streaming services you can chuck your money at.
Then again, maybe these negatives aren't a big deal for you? Apple TV+ does have plenty of positives in its favor too. You could always sign up with the free trial to take it for a spin.
