Among all of the streaming and entertainment services vying for your attention, there is one you’ve overlooked. That’s right; Apple One actually offers an almost unparalleled level of entertainment, and you’ve been missing out all this time.
What Is Apple One?
Introduced in 2020, Apple One is a subscription service that bundles multiple Apple services, with tiered packages so you only pay for the services that you want. By grouping key services, you’re able to save money versus what you would pay for the individual plans on their own, including Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, iCloud+ storage, Apple News+, and Apple Fitness+.
The current Apple One packages are as follows:
As you’re able to see, there is something available at almost all price points, covering all the subscription bases.
Why Apple One Is the Best Entertainment Package
There are several reasons Apple One is the best entertainment package you’re not currently using.
Apple Music (second only to Spotify in total users) features 100 million songs, more than 30,000 expert-curated playlists, and, better still,Apple is always adding new features. It also features exclusive radio stations that offer live and recorded shows tailored to specific music genres and artists. To date, these include the flagship Apple Music 1, Apple Music Hits, Apple Music Country, Apple Música Uno, Apple Music Club, and Apple Music Chill.
Over onApple TV+, you can find some of the most popular TV shows and films, such as Severance, Your Friends and Neighbors, The Studio, and others. Since Apple TV+ launched in 2019, new content has been added monthly, and today it’s one of the most popular streaming services.
Next up, Apple Arcade offers a growing library of exclusive and iconic games across various genres, including action, brain teasers, sports, and more. Each is available to download without ads, and it’s easy toget started with Apple Arcade, even for newcomers.
And then there’s Apple News+, which offers access to over 400 leading publications, featuring a mix of local, national, and international titles. In recent years, Apple News+ has also introduced daily and weekly puzzles in various formats.
Meanwhile, Apple Fitness+ unlocks an ever-changing list of workout videos across 12 different types, such as HIIT, Yoga, Meditation, and more.
Finally, there’s iCloud+, which expands upon Apple’s free iCloud backup service by offering additional storage and other benefits. Depending on your Apple One plan, you and your family can gain up to 2TB of storage, where you’re able to back up your photos, videos, notes, and more in a secure environment. A membership with iCloud+ also includes unique party invitations with Apple Invites, enhanced privacy tools, and additional features.
Savings and Convenience
Entertainment subscriptions are expensive, so it’s important to save money where you can. I like that my Apple One subscription saves me money overall, especially as I really make full use of each area of the subscription each month. However, these savings vary significantly, depending on what package you choose.
The Individual plan saves you approximately $9 per month compared to subscribing to these services separately. The Family plan, meanwhile, saves you $11. The Premier plan saves you the most money each month, approximately $29, representing a 43% saving.
Content and the ability to save money aren’t the only reasons I think Apple One is the best entertainment package currently available. Convenience is another reason. Each of the services mentioned is available across multiple Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. Additionally, services like Apple Music and Apple TV+ are available on non-Apple devices, including smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming boxes such as Google TV, Roku, and Fire TV.
It’s also worth noting that some of these services are available on Windows and Android devices through the web or a dedicated app. For example, you may now find separate apps for Apple TV+ and Apple Music for Android and PC.
And recall that two of the three Apple One plans are designed for families. That means they can also access all this content on their Apple and non-Apple devices.
How to Switch to Apple One
There are probably a few thoughts going through your head as you read this, such as a worry that you won’t use all the services, or a concern that you don’t have the right devices.
On the latter, I wish Apple offered more than three tiers ofApple One. In particular, it would be nice to see an individual package where you could switch out Apple Arcade for Apple Fitness+ or Apple News+, but that is probably not feasible based on current pricing. Regardless, even with the three tiers Apple currently offers, you should be able to find one that suits your needs and budget.
Checking Eligibility
Simple Steps to Subscribe
Regardless of your device, you’ll be asked to select your tier and payment method. If you select a family tier, you’ll be asked to choose your Apple Family Members. Once you’re signed up, Apple One titles will be available on supported devices where you’re logged in with your Apple ID. You will also likely receive an email from Apple shortly after signing up, providing more details on how to activate your membership.
