How to set up multiple accounts on your new Apple TV

Since the new Apple TV is meant for rooms—family rooms, classrooms, meeting rooms—it needs to support more than one person. That means it needs to support more than one Apple ID (iTunes/App Store account) at a time. And it does! It may not be as smooth or as powerful as multiuser on the Mac, but it's more than we've had on any iPhone or iPad to date. Here's how it works!

How to add multiple accounts to Apple TV

Before you can use multiple accounts, you need to log into any and all additional accounts you want available.

  1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.

  2. Click on Accounts.

    Open Settings, click Accounts

  3. Click on iTunes and App Store.

  4. Click on Add new Apple ID.

    Click iTunes and App Store, click Add new Apple ID

  5. Click on Enter New... if prompted to do so.

  6. Enter the additional Apple ID username.

    Click Enter New... if prompted, enter new Apple ID username

  7. Click on Continue.

  8. Enter the additional Apple ID password.

    Click Continue, enter Apple ID password

  9. Click on Sign In.

    Click Sign In

Repeat this process for each account that you wish to add.

How to switch between multiple accounts on Apple TV

While you have multiple accounts you can only use one account at a time. That means switching!

  1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
  2. Click on Accounts.
  3. Click on iTunes and App Store.
  4. Click on the account you want to use.


You'll now be able to download or re-download any apps or content available on that account.

A note on Family Sharing

Multiple accounts work with Family Sharing, so kids can switch to their accounts and "ask to buy" just like on iPhone or iPad.

How to use Control Center to switch between users on tvOS 13

Members of your family will finally have their own entertainment experience when multi-user support arrives on Apple TV this fall with tvOS 13. Users will see their unique Up Next list and receive TV and film recommendations based on their tastes. Besides offering multi-user support, the all-new Control Center also provides quick access to key Apple TV features, such as sleep and audio routing.

Here's how to switch between different users on Apple TV.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Mac (sadly, no public beta for the Apple Watch). While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

  1. From the Siri remote, hard-press the Home/TV button.

  2. Change users at the top right of the device from Control Center on Apple TV.

    change Apple TV user

You've now switched between users on Apple TV.

Apple TV Control Center: other uses

The Control Center on Apple TV isn't just to switch users. It also offers additional functions.

How to put your Apple TV to sleep using Control Center

You can use Control Center to put your Apple TV to sleep:

  1. From the Siri remote, hard-press the Home/TV button to bring up the Control Center on Apple TV.

  2. Select Sleep.

    sleep Apple TV

That's it; your Apple TV is now asleep. Click on the Home/TV button on your Siri Remote to wake it up.

How to change your Apple TV's audio destination with Control Center

You can play music from your Apple TV on HomePods, other AirPlay speakers, and different Apple TVs with ease by making a change in Control Center.

  1. From the Siri remote, hard-press the Home/TV button to bring up the Control Center on Apple TV.
  2. Select the Audio icon.

  3. Scroll down, then choose your new audio selection.

    change audio

How to search with Control Center on Apple TV

With tvOS 13, it's easier to find great content since there's a search button on the Control Center.

  1. From the Siri remote, hard-press the Home/TV button to bring up the Control Center on Apple TV.
  2. Select the Search icon.

  3. Type or use Siri to search.

    Apple TV tvOS 13 search

View current music selection

The Control Center on Apple TV also includes a Music selection box that serves no functionality in the tvOS 13 beta other than showing information about the current music selection. We will update this post if Apple adds new features for this button prior to the public release of tvOS 13.

Apple's expected to release the tvOS 13 to the public this fall.

Enhance your Apple TV experience

There's a long list of awesome accessories for Apple TV, including these two:

Apple AirPods 2 (from $159 at Apple)

For those times when you don't want to disturb others in your home, but you still want to listen to your favorite movie or TV show, go with the Apple AirPods 2. Now offering a wireless charger case, the popular earbuds feature the new Apple H1 headphone chip that delivers a faster wireless connection to your devices.

ViewSonic PX747-4K ($1,000 at Amazon)

Offering an immersive cinema-like experience in 4K UHD, this projector can work on a screen up to 300 inches in 3,500 lumens. SuperEco mode allows the lamp to operate for over 15,000 hours before a replacement is needed. This projector supports most media players, gaming consoles, PCs, Macs, and mobile devices.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions about Apple TV? Put them in the comments and we'll help you out.

Updated June 2019: Added information tvOS 13.

Apple TV 4K

Main

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.