In a move that will delight creators and viewers alike, Vimeo quietly slipped back onto the ‌Apple TV‌ App Store this week—nearly two years after pulling its dedicated tvOS app. For anyone who’s ever craved a seamless way to watch ad‑free, high‑quality indie films and video essays on the big screen, the wait is finally over.

Back in June 2023, Vimeo made headlines by discontinuing its suite of living‑room apps—including those for Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, and Roku—citing a renewed focus on its core suite of business and creative tools. At the time, Vimeo encouraged users to AirPlay content from their iPhone or iPad instead of maintaining native apps on TV devices.

That workaround, though functional, never felt quite as satisfying as a purpose‑built tvOS experience. Over the past 24 months, Vimeo’s community—the very people who upload and consume everything from short documentaries to polished music promos—made one thing abundantly clear: they missed a native Apple TV client. Requests poured in for a return, especially for watching premium, on‑demand videos without the ads and friction of casting.

On Thursday, July 17, 2025, Vimeo officially announced its rebuilt ‌Apple TV‌ app, compatible with any device running tvOS 18 or higher. Weighing in as a ground‑up rewrite, the new app promises:

• Seamless discovery: Browse Staff Picks, trending videos, and personalized recommendations without leaving your couch.
• Robust library access: View everything in your personal Library, Watch Later list, and On Demand purchases—no more juggling multiple apps.
• Enhanced playback controls: Jump between video chapters, adjust playback speed, and switch audio tracks or subtitles mid‑stream.
• 4K support: Watch eligible videos in Ultra HD, complete with Dolby Vision HDR where available.
• Multi‑language options: Tap into a growing catalog of videos with alternate audio tracks and closed‑caption support.

Importantly, the new app retains Vimeo’s hallmark focus on ad‑free viewing—meaning once you’re in, you won’t be interrupted by pre‑rolls or banner ads. It’s a premium feel that aligns with Vimeo’s paid Starter, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise plans, which begin at $20 per month for creators wanting more storage and advanced analytics.

In a blog post titled “What’s new at Vimeo in July: Apple TV app returns, improved mobile viewing, and more,” Vimeo Product Marketing Lead Devon Hourihan explained that rebuilding the app “from the ground up” allowed the team to craft a more immersive experience tailored specifically to big‑screen viewing rather than simply porting the iOS interface.

According to Vimeo, live events and interactive features—like direct commenting and uploads—aren’t in this first release, but the company says they’re on the roadmap. For now, purchases and account management must be handled via the web or mobile app, then accessed seamlessly through tvOS.

Vimeo’s return to Apple TV comes at an interesting time. The streaming market is as crowded as ever, with giants like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max vying for eyeballs. Yet Vimeo has carved out a niche among creative professionals and indie filmmakers who prize quality, community, and control over ad experiences. By offering 4K, multi‑language tracks, and a curated Staff Picks section, Vimeo aims to complement—not compete with—those mega‑services.

On the hardware side, Apple continues to expand tvOS’s capabilities: tvOS 18.5 rolled out last month, bringing improvements to Siri Remote handling and screensaver performance. Vimeo’s requirement of tvOS 18+ ensures viewers have access to the latest system‑level features and security updates.

If you’re a Vimeo user with an ‌Apple TV‌ lying around, here’s what to do:

1. Update your ‌Apple TV‌ to tvOS 18 or newer (Settings → System → Software Updates).
2. Open the App Store on your ‌Apple TV‌.
3. Search for “Vimeo” and tap “Get” to download or “Update” if it’s already listed.
4. Sign in with your Vimeo credentials and start browsing.

Creators can continue to upload, manage, and promote their content from the web or mobile apps, confident that viewers now have a direct, intuitive way to watch and support their work on the biggest screen in the house.

While the first phase focuses on playback and discovery, Vimeo’s roadmap hints at deeper integrations—think live‑streaming support, direct commenting, or even upload capabilities. For now, the re‑entry into the ‌Apple TV‌ ecosystem is a big win for anyone who’s ever hankered for a smoother, ad‑free way to enjoy Vimeo’s rich library of independent videos.