Is Apple TV compatible with Android TVs?

Apple TV and Android TV are two popular streaming media player platforms that allow users to access digital content like movies, TV shows, music, and games on their televisions. Apple TV is developed by Apple and works seamlessly with other Apple devices, while Android TV is Google’s operating system optimized for the big screen experience.

With Apple expanding Apple TV app availability to select Android TV devices in 2021¹, many wonder about the compatibility between the two platforms. This article explores the compatibility of Apple TV set-top boxes and the Apple TV app with Android TV devices in areas like video formats, apps, screen mirroring, remotes, and more. The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of how Apple TV and Android TV work together.

Apple TV Overview

Apple TV is Apple’s set-top box that allows users to stream content from various streaming services and Apple’s own content ecosystem onto a TV. Some key features of Apple TV include:

Supports 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision for ultra high definition streaming (Apple, 2022)
Runs on tvOS operating system developed by Apple
Comes with Siri remote that allows voice controls and navigation

Allows access to Apple services like Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, and Photos
Compatible with major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and more
Runs a wide variety of apps and games from the App Store

Screen mirroring capabilities from iPhone, iPad and Mac

The latest Apple TV 4K models contain Apple’s A12 or A15 Bionic chip for smooth performance, and support high frame rate HDR as well as Dolby Vision. Overall, Apple TV aims to be an all-in-one streaming hub to access entertainment across multiple services and Apple’s own ecosystem (MacRumors, 2022).

Android TV Overview

Android TV is Google’s smart TV platform that was launched in 2014. It is built on top of the Android operating system and optimized for large screens. According to the Android developer documentation, Android TV provides an enhanced TV watching experience by combining live TV, streaming content, and gaming into one platform.

Some key features of Android TV include:

Voice controls – Android TV devices come with Google Assistant built-in for voice controls.
Chromecast support – Content can be cast to an Android TV from smartphones, tablets and laptops using Chromecast.

Google Play Store access – Android TV provides full access to the Google Play Store for apps, games, movies and TV shows.
Live channels – With TV tuners, Android TVs can provide live TV channels and DVR capabilities.
Notifications – Notifications from apps and services display on the TV screen.

Gaming – Android TV supports casual gaming through apps and more advanced gaming through NVIDIA Shield TV.

Overall, Android TV aims to provide a robust smart TV platform by integrating streaming media, apps, voice controls and gaming into one unified experience across a range of TVs and set-top boxes.

Video and Content Format Compatibility

When it comes to video format compatibility between Apple TV and Android TV, there are some key things to consider:

Apple TV supports H.264 and HEVC H.265 codecs for video playback. It can play content in MP4, MOV, and M4V containers. For audio, it supports AAC, MP3, Dolby Digital 5.1, and Dolby Atmos.

Android TV also supports H.264 and H.265 video codecs. It can play MP4, MKV, and WebM video containers. For audio, Android TV supports AAC, MP3, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos.

So in terms of core video and audio codec support, there is a lot of overlap between Apple TV and Android TV. Popular formats like H.264, MP4, and AAC will play on both platforms. This means you should be able to play most video content seamlessly between the two.

Some key differences are that Android TV has wider container support with MKV and WebM, while Apple TV supports MOV files. And Android TV offers FLAC audio which Apple TV does not. But these differences only affect more niche video formats.

Overall, you can expect a high level of cross-compatibility for typical video and audio content between Apple TV and Android TV devices.

Sources:
https://support.apple.com/guide/tvplus/smart-tvs-and-streaming-devices-apda10aaed81/web
https://gadgetmates.com/does-my-smart-tv-support-apple-tv-a-comprehensive-guide

App and Game Compatibility

There are some key differences when it comes to app and game compatibility between Apple TV and Android TV devices. The Apple TV runs tvOS and has access to apps from the App Store. Meanwhile, Android TV devices run the Android TV operating system and use the Google Play Store for apps.

Many popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max and ESPN are available on both platforms. However, some apps are only available on one ecosystem or the other. For example, the Apple TV app with Apple TV+ and iTunes content is only on Apple TV devices. Android TV has unique apps like Google Play Movies & TV.

When it comes to games, the Apple TV has a dedicated gaming section on the App Store with titles optimized for the Siri remote. Android TV devices have access to casual games through the Google Play Store, but most graphically intensive Android games are not optimized for TV screens. So the Apple TV generally has a stronger gaming library.

In summary, while the most popular video streaming apps are cross-compatible, there are still some key apps and many games that are exclusive to each platform. So app and game compatibility should be considered when deciding between Apple TV and Android TV devices.

Screen Mirroring Capabilities

Apple TV and Android TV have some differences when it comes to screen mirroring capabilities. Apple TV uses AirPlay which allows you to wirelessly mirror your iOS device display or stream media from apps on your iOS device to your Apple TV. Android TVs have built-in Cast functionality that allows screen mirroring from Chrome on a computer as well as screen casting from Cast-enabled apps on Android and iOS devices.

There are some third party apps that can enable screen mirroring between Apple TV and Android devices. Apps like AirScreen and AllCast allow mirroring from Android to Apple TV. AirDroid Cast is an app that can mirror both Android and iOS screens to Android TV and Amazon Fire TV in addition to Apple TV 1. These apps work by installing client apps on both devices that then communicate to share the screen display.

Some key differences are that AirPlay relies on Apple hardware and services while Cast uses common standards and protocols. AirPlay generally has lower latency while Cast allows mirroring from more types of devices. Both offer easy wireless screen mirroring that doesn’t require cables or dongles, but may require third party apps to bridge between Apple and Android ecosystems.

Remote Control and Input Methods

The Apple TV and Android TV platforms offer different approaches for controlling the devices and selecting input sources on your TV. The Apple TV 4K and hd come with the Siri remote, which has a touch surface for navigation as well as voice control via Siri. The remote connects directly to the Apple TV via Bluetooth or IR, allowing you to power on your TV, adjust volume, and launch apps and content on the Apple TV interface. However, the Siri remote cannot directly control an Android TV or switch inputs on a TV [1].

In contrast, Android TV platforms like the Nvidia Shield TV use Bluetooth remotes that directly pair with your Android TV. The remote has dedicated buttons for popular streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube, and can directly switch inputs or control TV functions like power and volume. Some Android TV remotes even have built-in microphones for voice commands. There are also third party universal remote apps for Android and iOS that can control both Android TV and other smart devices [2] [3].

So while the Apple TV has a very polished first-party remote, it lacks direct TV control features. Android TV remotes tend to provide more robust control, but third party apps can help extend control options on both platforms.

Audio Output Compatibility

The Apple TV 4K and HD models support various audio formats like Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, and DTS via HDMI. When using the Apple TV app on Android TVs, audio output compatibility depends on the TV model and settings.

Most modern Android TVs can pass through Dolby Digital Plus or Dolby Atmos from the Apple TV app to an external audio system like a soundbar. However, the TV’s audio settings must have “Pass through” or “Bitstream” enabled, not PCM. Some users have reported issues getting multi-channel audio from the Apple TV app on Android TVs like Samsung and Sony models (Source: Reddit).

The Apple TV app may default to stereo sound on Android TVs, even with surround sound capable speakers connected. Changing the TV’s audio settings from PCM to “Pass through” can resolve this. Additionally, ensuring the app and content are set to play in 5.1 or Atmos, not just Stereo, may enable multi-channel audio (Source: Apple Discussions).

Overall, getting Dolby and surround sound from the Apple TV app on Android TVs is possible, but users need compatible TV models and the correct audio output settings enabled. Consult your TV manual or settings to ensure multi-channel audio passthrough is enabled.

Limitations and Workarounds

There are some limitations to using Apple TV on Android TVs. One common issue is pixelation and video quality degradation, as noted by users on Apple’s support forums (source). This seems to especially impact certain Sony Bravia models. Potential workarounds include limiting video output to SD resolution rather than 4K, but even then some pixelation may occur.

In general, the Apple TV app is not optimized or fully supported on Android TV platforms. There may be incompatibility with certain video codecs that leads to playback issues. App and game support is also limited, with some Apple Arcade titles not available. Remote control and input methods may not fully translate between Apple TV and Android TV remotes.

Until Apple provides an official Apple TV app for Android TV, users will have to rely on screen mirroring from Apple devices as a workaround. But this requires additional hardware and has latency issues. Using an external streaming device like a Roku or Amazon Fire Stick is another workaround to get Apple TV content on an Android TV.

Overall, lack of official support means Apple TV use on Android TVs is limited. Users may experience playback, app compatibility, remote control, and other issues. Workarounds exist but provide a degraded experience compared to using Apple TV on Apple’s own tvOS platform.

Conclusion

In summary, Apple TV has limited compatibility with Android TVs. While there is some overlap in video format support, allowing you to stream purchased or rented content from iTunes on an Android TV, full compatibility is restricted due to differences in operating systems, chipsets, and ecosystems.

Apps and games purchased from the Apple App Store will not run natively on Android TVs. Screen mirroring from Apple devices to Android TVs is also not officially supported, though some third-party apps attempt to bridge compatibility. Remote control support is limited, though universal remotes can sometimes fill the gap.

For the seamless Apple TV experience, it’s best to use Apple’s streaming box with an Apple TV-compatible display. While connecting an Apple TV to an Android TV is possible with adapters, the compatibility issues make for a fragmented and potentially frustrating user experience.

If you are invested in the Apple ecosystem, purchasing an Apple TV 4K for your TV is recommended. If you prefer Android TV and Google’s offerings, using a Chromecast or Android TV set-top-box will provide fuller compatibility with your Android phone and TV.