How to Sign Into Apple TV on Your Mac

Sign in with your Apple ID on the Apple TV app

To watch Apple TV+ on your Mac, open the Apple TV app and sign in with the Apple ID you use for your subscription. The app is built into macOS Monterey and later; if you have an older Mac, read it from the App Store. Once you open the app, you will see a prompt to sign in — tap your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Sign In".

Enter your Apple ID email address and password when prompted. If you have two-factor authentication turned on for your Apple ID — which Apple recommends — you will receive a verification code on another device you own. Enter that code to complete the sign-in. Your Mac will then remember your account, and you can start watching when ready.

If you do not have an Apple ID yet, you can create one during the sign-in process by selecting "Create Apple ID" instead. You will need a valid email address and a password you have not used before.

Key Takeaways

Open the Apple TV app on your Mac, tap the profile icon in the top right, and select "Sign In" to begin.
Enter your Apple ID email and password; if two-factor authentication is on, you will need to enter a verification code sent to another device.
Your Mac stores your sign-in information after the first time, so you will not need to enter it again each time you open the app.
If you do not have an Apple ID, you can create one during sign-in using any email address and a new password.
The Apple TV app comes built in on macOS Monterey and later; older Macs can read it free from the App Store.

What to do if you see a sign-in code instead

Sometimes the Apple TV app shows you a six-digit code on your Mac instead of asking for your password. This is a find sign-in method that works on any device. Write down or remember the code, then go to appleid.apple.com on your iPhone, iPad, or another Mac where you are already signed in.

Sign in to your Apple ID account on that website, find the notification asking you to approve the sign-in, and tap "Allow". Your Mac will then complete the sign-in automatically. This method is safer than typing your password on a device you do not use often, because it confirms the sign-in on a device you trust.

Troubleshooting when sign-in fails

If your password is not working, first check that you are typing it correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital and lowercase letters matter. If you are certain the password is right, go to iforgot.apple.com and reset your Apple ID password. You will need access to the email address or phone number linked to your account.

If you keep getting an error message after entering the correct password, restart your Mac and try again. Sometimes the app needs a fresh start. If the problem continues, sign out of the Apple TV app completely — go to the menu bar, select "Apple TV", then "Sign Out" — and sign back in from the beginning.

If you see a message saying your account cannot be used on this device, your Apple ID may have restrictions turned on. Check appleid.apple.com on a device where you are already signed in, go to "Devices and Passcodes", and make sure your Mac is listed and not blocked.

How to sign in on a shared Mac

If you share your Mac with other people, each person can have their own Apple TV account. When someone else wants to watch, they should open the Apple TV app and sign in with their own Apple ID. The app will ask whose account to use when it opens, or you can switch accounts by tapping the profile icon and selecting "Sign Out", then signing in as the other person.

Each account keeps its own watch history, recommendations, and saved shows. This means your recommendations will not be mixed with someone else's, and you will not see shows they watched. If you want to share a subscription across multiple accounts on the same Mac, all those accounts need to be part of the same family group in Apple ID settings.

Setting up Family Sharing for multiple users

If you have an Apple TV+ subscription and want to share it with family members, you can set up Family Sharing through your Apple ID. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and select "Family Sharing". Add family members by their email addresses — they will receive an invitation to join your family group.

Once they accept and are part of your family, they can sign into the Apple TV app with their own Apple ID on your Mac or any of their devices, and they will have access to your Apple TV+ subscription. Each person still sees their own recommendations and watch history. You can remove someone from Family Sharing at any time through the same Apple ID settings page.

Checking your subscription status

After you sign in, you can confirm that your Apple TV+ subscription is active by opening the app and looking at the top menu. If you see shows and movies available to watch, your subscription is working. If you see a message saying you need to subscribe, your account may not have an active subscription, or it may be linked to a different Apple ID.

To check which Apple ID owns your subscription, go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and look at "Subscriptions and Payments". You will see a list of active subscriptions and which Apple ID they are tied to. If your subscription is under a different Apple ID than the one you are using on your Mac, sign out and sign back in with the correct account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a different password for Apple TV than for my Apple ID?

No. Apple TV uses your Apple ID password — the same one you use for iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services. You do not create a separate password for the app.

What if I forgot my Apple ID password?

Go to iforgot.apple.com and enter your Apple ID email address. Apple will send you a link to reset your password, or you can answer security questions if you set them up. You will need access to the email address or phone number on your account.

Can I use the same Apple ID on multiple Macs?

Yes. Sign in with the same Apple ID on as many Macs as you own. Your watch history and saved shows will sync across all of them, so you can start watching on one Mac and pick up where you left off on another.

Why does the app ask me to sign in every time I open it?

This usually means your Mac did not save your sign-in information. Try signing in again and make sure you complete the two-factor authentication step if it appears. If it keeps happening, restart your Mac and try once more. If the problem continues, delete the app and read it fresh from the App Store.

Can I sign in without an Apple ID?

No. Apple TV requires an Apple ID to sign in, even if you are not paying for a subscription. If you do not have one, you can create one free during the sign-in process using any email address.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.