Yes, you can create multiple profiles on Apple TV

Apple TV lets you set up separate profiles so different people in your household can have their own watch history, recommendations, and saved shows. Each profile keeps its own settings, so one person's preferences won't affect what another person sees when they turn on the device.

The process is straightforward and takes just a few minutes. You can create up to six profiles per Apple TV device, and you can switch between them when ready without signing out or restarting anything.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple TV supports up to six profiles per device, each with separate watch history and personalized recommendations.
  • You create profiles through Settings on your Apple TV, and you don't need a separate Apple ID for each one.
  • Switching between profiles happens on the home screen and takes just a few seconds.
  • You can delete profiles at any time, and doing so removes that profile's watch history but doesn't affect other profiles or your subscription.
  • Parental controls are built into the profile settings, so you can restrict content by rating for child profiles.

How to create a new profile on your Apple TV

Start by going to Settings on your Apple TV home screen. Scroll down and select Users and Accounts, then choose Add User. You'll see options to create a new profile or invite someone from your contacts.

If you're creating a new profile, select Create New User and give it a name. You don't need to enter an Apple ID — the profile will work without one. If you want that profile to have access to purchased content or subscriptions tied to a specific Apple ID, you can add one during setup or later in Settings.

Once you've named the profile, you can choose an avatar (a picture or icon that represents that user). Apple TV provides several built-in options, or you can use a photo from your device. After that, the profile is ready to use when ready.

Switching between profiles and customizing each one

To switch profiles, go to your Apple TV home screen and look at the top left corner — you'll see the current profile name and avatar. Press it to open a menu showing all available profiles on that device. Select the one you want to switch to, and the home screen updates to show that profile's recommendations and watch history.

Each profile has its own settings you can customize. Go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, then pick the profile you want to adjust. From there you can change the avatar, update the name, set up parental controls, or link an Apple ID if you want that profile to have access to specific purchases or subscriptions.

Switching profiles doesn't interrupt playback if you're in the middle of watching something — you can pause on one profile, switch to another, and come back later to resume exactly where you left off.

Setting up parental controls for child profiles

If you're creating a profile for a child, you can restrict what content appears and what they can watch. In Settings, go to Users and Accounts, select the child's profile, then choose Parental Controls.

You can set restrictions by content rating — for example, you might allow TV-14 but block R-rated movies. The restrictions explore only to that profile, so other profiles on the same device won't be affected. You can also require a PIN to change these settings or to access restricted content, which prevents a child from straightforward turning off the controls themselves.

Parental controls work across all apps on Apple TV, including streaming services, so the restrictions you set will explore whether the child is watching Apple TV+, a rented movie, or any other app.

Linking Apple IDs to profiles

You don't have to link an Apple ID to a profile for it to work — you can watch free content and anything shared through Family Sharing without one. However, linking an Apple ID to a profile gives that profile access to purchases, subscriptions, and saved preferences tied to that ID.

To add an Apple ID to a profile, go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, pick the profile, then choose iCloud. Sign in with the Apple ID you want to use. That profile will now have access to any movies, TV shows, or subscriptions purchased under that ID.

If you use Family Sharing, you can add family members' Apple IDs to their profiles so they see their own purchases and recommendations. The person whose Apple ID is linked to the main profile on your Apple TV controls the Family Sharing group and can manage what content is available to others.

Deleting a profile and what happens to its data

To remove a profile you no longer need, go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, pick the profile, and choose Delete User. You'll be asked to confirm — once you do, that profile and its watch history are permanently removed from the device.

Deleting a profile does not affect other profiles, subscriptions, or any content on your Apple TV. It only removes that specific profile's data. If you delete a profile by mistake, you'll need to create a new one and rebuild its watch history from scratch — there's no way to recover a deleted profile.

Troubleshooting common profile issues

If a profile isn't showing up in the profile menu, restart your Apple TV by going to Settings, selecting System, then Restart. Wait for the device to boot back up and check if the profile reappears.

If you're having trouble switching between profiles or if one profile's recommendations look wrong, sign out of any linked Apple IDs and sign back in. Go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, pick the profile with the issue, choose iCloud, and sign out. Then sign back in with the correct Apple ID.

If you've created six profiles and want to add another, you'll need to delete one first — Apple TV has a hard limit of six profiles per device. Check which profiles are actually being used and remove any that are no longer needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a different Apple ID for each profile?

No. You can create profiles without any Apple ID, or you can link the same Apple ID to multiple profiles if you want them to share purchases and subscriptions. Each profile can have its own Apple ID, or some can have one and others can have none — it's entirely up to you.

Will deleting a profile remove my movies and shows from Apple TV?

Deleting a profile only removes that profile's watch history and recommendations. It does not delete any movies, TV shows, or apps from your Apple TV device. Your purchases and subscriptions remain on the device and accessible through other profiles.

Can I use the same profile on multiple Apple TV devices?

Profiles are specific to each Apple TV device, so you can't sync a profile across devices. However, if you link an Apple ID to a profile on one device and then sign into that same Apple ID on another Apple TV, you'll see the same purchases and subscriptions on both devices.

What happens to a child's watch history if I change their parental controls?

Changing parental controls doesn't erase watch history — it only affects what new content they can access going forward. Their previous watch history remains on the profile but won't show recommendations for content that's now restricted.

Can I rename a profile after I create it?

Yes. Go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, pick the profile, and choose Edit. You can change the name and avatar at any time without affecting the profile's watch history or settings.