How to Disconnect From Apple TV on Your Devices

How to remove your Apple TV app and sign out of your account

Disconnecting from Apple TV means two separate things, and which one you need depends on why you're leaving. You can sign out of your Apple account while keeping the app installed, or you can delete the app entirely from your device. Most people who want to disconnect do one or the other—signing out stops the app from showing your personal content and recommendations, while deleting it frees up storage space and removes the app from your home screen.

The steps differ depending on whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV box, Roku, Fire Stick, or smart TV. The good news is that signing out takes about 30 seconds on any device, and deleting the app takes even less time. If you're switching to a different Apple account or sharing a device with someone else, signing out is usually enough. If you're done with Apple TV entirely and want the app gone, deletion is the way to go.

Key Takeaways

Signing out of your Apple account removes your personal data from the app but leaves the app itself on your device.
Deleting the app removes it completely and frees up storage space, but you can reinstall it later from your device's app store.
On iPhone and iPad, sign out through Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases, or delete the app by long-pressing it on your home screen.
On Mac, sign out through System Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases, or drag the app to Trash.
On Apple TV boxes, Roku, Fire Stick, and smart TVs, the sign-out option is usually in the app's settings menu under Account or Profile.

Signing out on iPhone and iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top. Then tap Media & Purchases, then tap Apple TV. You'll see a Sign Out button at the bottom of the screen. Tap it, and a confirmation message will appear asking if you're sure. Tap Sign Out again to confirm. Your account is now disconnected from the app.

After you sign out, the Apple TV app will still be on your device, but it won't show your watch history, recommendations, or saved shows. If someone else picks up your phone or iPad, they won't see your account information. You can sign back in anytime by opening the app and entering your Apple ID and password.

Signing out on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click your name in the sidebar (or scroll down to find it), then click Media & Purchases. Click the Apple TV tab, and you'll see a Sign Out button. Click it and confirm when prompted. Your Mac is now disconnected from your Apple TV account.

The Apple TV app will remain installed on your Mac, but your personal data will no longer be visible in it. If you want to remove the app entirely, open Finder, click Applications in the sidebar, find Apple TV, right-click it, and select Move to Trash. Empty the Trash to complete the deletion.

Signing out on Apple TV boxes

On an Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, open the Apple TV app and navigate to Settings (the gear icon). Scroll down and select Accounts, then select your Apple ID. You'll see a Sign Out option. Select it and confirm. Your Apple TV box will no longer be linked to your account.

If you want to remove the app from your Apple TV box entirely, you can't delete it the way you would on a phone—the Apple TV app is built into the system. However, you can remove it from your home screen by selecting it, pressing the Menu button on your remote, and choosing Remove from Home Screen. The app will still exist on your device but won't be visible.

Signing out on Roku, Fire Stick, and smart TVs

The steps vary slightly depending on your device, but the general process is the same. Open the Apple TV app, navigate to Settings or Account (usually found in the menu or by pressing a menu button on your remote), and look for a Sign Out or Log Out option. Select it and confirm when prompted.

On Roku, you can also delete the app by going to your home screen, highlighting the Apple TV app, pressing the Options button on your remote, and selecting Remove Channel. On Fire Stick, highlight the app, press and hold the select button, and choose Uninstall. On most smart TVs, you'll need to access your app store or app manager, find Apple TV, and select Uninstall or Remove.

Deleting the app from your device

If you want to remove the Apple TV app completely, the method depends on your device. On iPhone and iPad, press and hold the Apple TV app icon on your home screen until a menu appears, then tap Remove App and confirm by tapping Delete. On Mac, open Finder, click Applications, find Apple TV, and drag it to the Trash, then empty the Trash.

Deleting the app doesn't affect your Apple account or your subscription to Apple TV+. You can reinstall the app anytime by opening your device's app store (App Store on iPhone, iPad, and Mac; Google Play on Android devices; the app store on Roku, Fire Stick, or your smart TV) and searching for Apple TV. When you sign back in, your watch history and saved shows will still be there.

What happens after you disconnect

Once you sign out, your personal information—including your watch history, saved shows, and recommendations—will no longer appear in the app on that device. If you had a subscription to Apple TV+, it remains active on your account, but you won't be able to watch it on that device unless you sign back in.

If you delete the app, you free up storage space on your device. The amount of space varies, but the Apple TV app typically uses between 100 MB and 500 MB depending on your device and how much cached data it has stored. Deleting it won't affect your subscription or your account—both will be waiting for you if you reinstall the app later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will signing out delete my watch history and saved shows?

No. Your watch history and saved shows stay on your Apple account. They just won't be visible on that particular device while you're signed out. When you sign back in on any device, everything will be there.

Can I delete the Apple TV app and reinstall it later?

Yes. You can delete the app from your device's app store anytime and reinstall it whenever you want. Your subscription and account information will remain intact, and you can sign back in when ready after reinstalling.

What if I share my device with someone else?

Signing out is the right choice if you share a device. It removes your personal data from the app so the other person won't see your watch history or recommendations. They can sign in with their own Apple ID, and the app will show their content instead.

Does disconnecting from Apple TV cancel my subscription?

No. Signing out or deleting the app does not cancel your Apple TV+ subscription. Your subscription remains active on your Apple account. You can continue watching on other devices, or sign back in on the same device whenever you want.

Can I sign out of Apple TV without signing out of my entire Apple account?

Yes. Signing out of Apple TV through Media & Purchases only disconnects that app from your account. Your Apple ID remains signed in on your device, and all your other apps and services continue to work normally.

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.