For a long time developers have expressed a need for improved discoverability for Apple TV apps they make. Unfortunately, Apple hadn’t previously provided much for developers or customers to find these apps. Customers would have to search from within the App Store on the Apple TV to find apps.
Thankfully, Apple recently let developers know that the iTunes Link Maker would now allow them to create links right to their tvOS apps. This is fantastic news, because now customers can buy these apps from their iPhone, iPad, Mac or even on a PC.
Some apps in the App Store already have tvOS components, so if you download the iOS version of the app, your Apple TV could automatically download the TV version to your Apple TV. Alternatively, you could also check the Purchased tab on your Apple TV in the App Store, and download purchased apps from there.
Now there’s an easier way to get these apps without ever having to go to the App Store on your TV.
How to turn on Automatically Install Apps on your Apple TV
The first thing you’ll want to do, if you’d like to have the apps automatically download to your TV is to turn this feature on in your Apple TV’s settings.
- Launch the Settings app on your Apple TV.
- Once in Settings, scroll down to Apps and click to enter that screen.
- Scroll down to Automatically Install Apps and click to turn this feature on.
How to download tvOS apps from your iPhone or iPad
- Tap on an App Store link from anywhere on your iOS device (the web, social media, etc.) For this example I headed to Squibner’s site to download King Me!
- You’ll notice that if the browser detects an App Store link it’ll create a dropdown, where you can press View to view the app in the App Store. The third screenshot is another example of an App Store link on Squibner’s site, with the traditional App Store badge.
- After you click View or a direct App Store link, you’ll be taken right to the app in the App Store, where you can purchase it.
- A pop up will appear that’ll let you know the app will download right to your TV (if the app is TV only, and if you have Automatically Install Apps on, like we enabled above). Otherwise, you can check your Purchased tab on your Apple TV to download the app from the App Store.
How to download tvOS apps from your Mac
If you’d like to download a tvOS app from your Mac, simply click on an App Store link, and that link will open the app up within iTunes. Once there, simply click to purchase the app, and the same steps will apply as if you’re trying to download the app from an iOS device.
If Automatically Install apps is on in your TV’s settings, it will download to your TV right away, otherwise you can check the Purchased tab in the App Store app on your TV.
What’s your favorite Apple TV app?
I’m glad that we finally have an easier way to find and download Apple TV apps. I can only hope that Apple adds these TV only apps to the App Store on iOS for better discoverability. One place they’d fit in perfectly is on Apple’s upcoming TV app, very much like how you can view the Messages App Store right from within the Messages app.
What’s your favorite Apple TV app? Let me know in the comments section below!
