Learn how to add multiple users to your Apple TV and switch between them so each person can have a personalized viewing experience.
Adding users to Apple TV ensures that every member has a personalized experience related to paired AirPods, content in Up Next, system language preferences, Game Center data, content in other apps, and more. Furthermore, movie, music, and TV show recommendations are curated individually for each user.
So, if other people also use your Apple TV to watch movies or listen to music, it would be best if you add them as users.
Just note that iCloud Photos and One Home Screen are only available for the default Apple TV user, and not all users. One Home Screen ensures you have the same apps and Home Screen experience on all your Apple TVs if you happen to own more than one.
Also see: How to add users to your Mac
Add a new user to your Apple TV
Open the Settings app and go to Users and Accounts. Now, follow the steps below to add another user.
Add family members
If you have added family members to your Apple Family (iPhone Settings > Family), they will appear under the Suggested Users section. Select a member, and then you can sign in with their iPhone or manually sign in using their Apple ID. We’ve mentioned both methods below.
Sign in with their iPhone: Make sure their iPhone is nearby and connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Apple TV. Also, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on the iPhone. Next, select Sign in with their name’s iPhone on the TV screen.
This will show a Join This Apple TV popup on their iPhone. If not, hold this iPhone near the Apple TV, lock it, and then unlock it. Tap Connect on this popup. Next, a four-digit code will appear on your Apple TV screen. Enter that code on your family member’s iPhone to add them as a user for your Apple TV.
Sign in Manually: Select the family member and then select Sign in Manually. Now, select Enter New and sign in with that family member’s Apple ID.
Add non-family members
If you want to add someone who is not part of your Apple digital family, select Add New User under the Additional Users section. Now, sign in with their iOS device or manually. The basics are similar to adding a family member.
Use Control Center
You can also add a new user by going to Control Center. Here, you will see the plus button (+) to add a new user.
Apple TV Control Center also shows suggested users. They have a little plus button at the top of their profile picture.
Switch to another user
Depending on who’s watching, the added user can select their profile from the Settings app or quickly from Control Center.
Settings app: Go to TV Settings > Users and Accounts > Switch Current User and select another.
Control Center: Press and hold the TV button on your Siri Remote. Now, go to the users tab and select another user.
Set a default user
Even though you can add multiple users to your Apple TV, there can be just one default user.
The default user is automatically logged in when you power on your Apple TV. Secondly, iCloud Photos and One Home Screen are only available for the Apple ID associated with the default user account.
You will have to remove the account for the current default user from the Apple TV before you can add another default user. Later, you can add the current default user as a normal user by following the above steps.
1) Go to Apple TV Settings > Users and Accounts and select the current Default User.
2) Scroll down and select Remove User from Apple TV. Now, confirm by selecting Remove.
3) After that, select Add Default User on the Users and Accounts screen and sign in with their iPhone or Apple ID.
Manage settings for each user
Go to Settings > Users and Accounts and select a user to manage the settings for them. You can also choose to sign out of their Apple ID.
Note that iCloud Photos and One Home Screen options only appear for the default user.
Remove the user from Apple TV
Head to Apple TV Settings > Users and Accounts and select a user. Now, scroll down and click Remove User from Apple TV.
If Remove User from Apple TV is grayed out, this person is added to your Home. In this case, go to the Home app on your iPhone and tap the three dots menu icon from the top right, followed by Home Settings. Now, select that member and remove them from your home. After this, you should be able to remove the user from your Apple TV.
Extra info: When you add a family member or person to your Home app, you also have the option to add them as an Apple TV user.
Check out next: How to set up content restrictions on your Apple TV