Change Your Password in Settings on Any Apple TV Model

You change your Apple TV password by going to Settings > Users and Accounts > iCloud (or the account you use), then selecting Password and entering your new one. The exact menu names shift slightly between tvOS versions, but this path works on all current Apple TV boxes. You will need to know your current password to make the change.

If you have forgotten your current password, you cannot reset it directly from the Apple TV itself. Instead, you will need to visit iforgot.apple.com on a computer or phone, answer your security questions or use a recovery key, and set a new password there. Once you have done that, return to your Apple TV and enter the new password in the same Settings menu.

The change takes effect when ready. You will be signed out of your Apple TV account and asked to sign back in with the new password. Any other devices using the same Apple ID (iPhone, iPad, Mac) will not be affected — they keep their own passwords separate.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your password in Settings > Users and Accounts > iCloud > Password on your Apple TV remote.
  • You must know your current password to change it from the Apple TV itself.
  • If you forget your password, use iforgot.apple.com on a computer to reset it, then enter the new one on your Apple TV.
  • Changing your Apple TV password does not change the password on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac — each device stores its own copy.
  • After you change the password, you will be signed out and must sign back in with the new one.

Step-by-Step Instructions for tvOS 17 and Later

Start by picking up your Apple TV remote and pressing the Menu button (the one with three horizontal lines). Navigate to Settings at the top of the screen and press Select. Scroll down until you see Users and Accounts and open it.

You will see a list of accounts on your Apple TV. Select the iCloud account (or whichever account you want to change the password for) and press Select. Look for Password in the menu that appears. Select it, and you will be asked to enter your current password first — this confirms you own the account. Type it in using the on-screen keyboard.

Once your current password is confirmed, you will be prompted to enter your new password twice. Make sure both entries match exactly, then select Done or Save. Your Apple TV will confirm the change and sign you out. You will then need to sign back in using the new password.

What to Do If You Forgot Your Password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot change it from the Apple TV. Instead, open a web browser on your computer or phone and go to iforgot.apple.com. Enter your Apple ID email address and follow the prompts to verify your identity.

Apple will ask you to answer your security questions, enter a recovery key if you have one, or verify your identity through a trusted device (like your iPhone). Once you have proven who you are, you can set a brand new password. Write it down or save it in a password manager before you close the page.

Go back to your Apple TV, open Settings > Users and Accounts > iCloud, select Password, and enter your new password. You will be signed out and asked to sign back in. Use the new password you just created on iforgot.apple.com.

Why Your Apple TV Asks for Your Current Password

Apple TV requires your current password before letting you set a new one as a security measure. This prevents someone who has temporary access to your TV from locking you out of your own account. Even if a guest or family member picks up the remote, they cannot change your password without knowing the old one first.

This is different from changing your password on an iPhone or Mac, where you may only need to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. The Apple TV remote has no biometric sensor, so a password is the only way to confirm you are the account owner.

Changing a Family Member's Password on Your Apple TV

If you are the account holder and want to change the password for a family member's account on your Apple TV, you cannot do it from the TV itself. Instead, go to appleid.apple.com on a computer, sign in with your own Apple ID, and look for Family Sharing in the left menu. Find the family member whose password you want to reset and select their account.

From there, you can manage their account settings, but you cannot directly reset their password. If they have forgotten their password, they will need to use iforgot.apple.com themselves, or you can help them walk through the recovery process. Apple does not allow one family member to change another's password without their knowledge, even in a Family Sharing setup.

What Happens After You Change Your Password

Once you confirm your new password on the Apple TV, you will be signed out of your account when ready. The TV will return to the sign-in screen. Pick up the remote, select your account, and enter your new password to sign back in. This usually takes less than a minute.

Your new password is now active on your Apple ID account across all devices. If you use the same Apple ID on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, those devices will not automatically update — they will continue to work as normal. The next time one of those devices asks you to re-enter your password (for example, when you read an app or change a setting), use your new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Apple TV password without knowing the old one?

No. Apple TV requires your current password to change it. If you have forgotten it, use iforgot.apple.com on a computer to reset your password first, then enter the new one on your Apple TV.

Will changing my Apple TV password sign me out of other devices?

No. Your iPhone, iPad, and Mac will continue to work normally. The next time one of those devices asks for your password, use the new one you just created.

How do I change the password if I do not have the Apple TV remote?

You can use the Apple TV Remote app on your iPhone instead of the physical remote. Open the app, navigate to Settings > Users and Accounts > iCloud > Password, and follow the same steps. If you do not have access to any remote or the app, reset your password at iforgot.apple.com first.

What if my Apple TV is signed into a shared family account?

If you are the account holder, you can change the password using the steps above. If you are a family member using someone else's account, ask the account holder to change it for them at iforgot.apple.com, then sign back in on the Apple TV with the new password.

Does changing my password affect my Apple TV+ subscription?

No. Your Apple TV+ subscription is tied to your Apple ID account, not your password. Changing the password does not affect your access to shows, movies, or any other services.