Yes, you can add multiple accounts to Apple TV, and each person gets their own shows, movies, and recommendations

Apple TV supports multiple user accounts on a single device. Each account holder signs in with their own Apple ID, and the device keeps their watch history, preferences, and recommendations separate. This means your kids can have their own account with parental controls, your spouse can have theirs, and everyone's recommendations stay independent.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you own the Apple TV device or are signing into someone else's. If you own it, you create additional accounts through Settings. If you're a guest or family member, you can sign in with your own Apple ID on the same device without changing the primary account.

Key Takeaways

  • Each account on Apple TV uses a separate Apple ID and keeps its own watch history, preferences, and recommendations.
  • The account owner sets up new profiles through Settings > Users and Accounts > Add New User on the device itself.
  • Family members can sign in with their own Apple IDs without needing the device owner's password.
  • Parental controls let you restrict content by rating and set screen time limits for individual accounts.
  • Switching between accounts takes seconds — just press the menu button and select a different user from the top of the screen.

How to add a new account on your Apple TV device

Go to Settings on your Apple TV home screen. Select Users and Accounts, then choose Add New User. The device will prompt you to sign in with an Apple ID — this can be a new ID or an existing one. If the person already has an Apple ID (for iCloud, iTunes, or another Apple service), use that one so their subscriptions and purchases carry over.

Once you enter the Apple ID and password, the account is created and appears in your user list. The new account holder can now sign in whenever they want to use the device. Their watch history and recommendations will be completely separate from yours and any other accounts on the device.

Setting up parental controls for child accounts

If you're adding an account for a child, you can restrict what they can watch. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts, select the child's account, then choose Parental Controls. You can set a content rating limit — for example, TV-14 or PG — and the account will only show movies and shows that meet that rating or lower.

You can also set screen time limits for that account, which will pause playback after a set number of hours. The child will need a PIN to override the limit. This PIN is separate from the Apple ID password and is something you create in the parental controls menu.

Switching between accounts on your TV

To switch users, press the menu button on your Apple TV remote. At the top of the screen, you'll see the current user's name. Select it, and a list of all accounts on the device appears. Choose the account you want to switch to, and Apple TV loads that person's home screen, recommendations, and watch history.

Switching is when ready — there's no sign-out or sign-in delay. If the account is password-protected, you'll need to enter the password before the switch completes. This is useful if you want to prevent accidental access to a child's account or a guest account.

What happens when family members share a subscription

If you have an Apple TV+ subscription, family members on the same device can watch it without needing their own subscription. The same applies to other services you've signed up for — if your account has Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu, anyone on the device can access those apps through your account.

However, each person's watch history and recommendations stay separate. If your spouse watches a horror movie on their account, it won't show up in your recommendations. If you want family members to have their own subscriptions to services like Netflix, they can sign into those apps with their own credentials on the same Apple TV device.

Removing an account from Apple TV

Go to Settings > Users and Accounts and select the account you want to remove. Choose Delete User. The device will ask you to confirm — once you do, that account and all its watch history are deleted from the device. The Apple ID itself is not deleted; the person can sign back in later if needed.

Deleting an account does not affect subscriptions or purchases tied to that Apple ID. If the account owner had an active subscription, they can still use it on other devices by signing in with the same Apple ID.

Using iCloud Family Sharing with Apple TV

If you set up Family Sharing through iCloud, family members can share purchases and subscriptions across all Apple devices, including Apple TV. This means if you buy a movie on your iPhone, family members can watch it on the Apple TV without buying it again. Family Sharing also lets you manage screen time and content restrictions for children across all their devices from one place.

To set up Family Sharing, go to Settings on your iPhone or Mac, select your name, then Family Sharing. Add family members by their email address, and they'll receive an invitation. Once they accept, they can sign into Apple TV with their own Apple ID and access shared purchases and subscriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can multiple people watch Apple TV at the same time on different accounts?

No. Apple TV is a single device, so only one account can be active at a time. If one person is watching on Account A, someone else has to switch to their account, which stops the current playback. If you need simultaneous viewing, each person would need their own Apple TV device.

Do I need a separate Apple ID for each account on Apple TV?

Yes. Each account must have its own Apple ID. However, the Apple ID doesn't have to be brand new — if someone already has an iCloud or iTunes account, you can use that one. This way their existing purchases and subscriptions carry over.

What if I forget the PIN for parental controls?

You'll need to reset it through Settings > Users and Accounts > Parental Controls on the device. Select the account, then choose Reset PIN. You may be asked to verify your identity or enter the Apple ID password for that account. If you don't remember the Apple ID password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com.

Can a guest use Apple TV without an Apple ID?

No. Every account on Apple TV requires an Apple ID. However, you can create a free Apple ID for a guest — they just need an email address. Once the account is set up, they can sign in whenever they visit.

Does adding an account to Apple TV cost money?

No. Adding accounts to the device itself is free. However, if the new account holder wants to watch services like Apple TV+, Netflix, or Disney+, they would need their own subscription to those services, or they can use a subscription you already pay for if it's shared through Family Sharing or the same account.