Sign out by going to Settings, then Accounts and Profiles, then your account name
To sign out of Apple TV on your television, open the Settings app on your TV, find the Accounts and Profiles section, select your account name, and choose Sign Out. The exact menu names and button locations vary slightly depending on whether you have an Apple TV box, a smart TV with Apple TV built in, or a different streaming device running tvOS, but the path is the same across all of them.
The process takes about one minute and does not delete any of your watch history or preferences—those stay tied to your Apple ID account. When you sign back in later, your library and recommendations will be exactly as you left them.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings on your TV, navigate to Accounts and Profiles, select your account name, and tap Sign Out.
- Signing out removes your Apple ID from that specific TV but does not erase your watch history or account data.
- If you cannot find Accounts and Profiles, look for Users, Family, or Account Settings depending on your TV model.
- After signing out, you can sign in with a different Apple ID or the same one from the login screen.
- If you are selling or giving away the TV, signing out is the first step before erasing the device completely.
Step-by-step instructions for Apple TV boxes and tvOS devices
If you own an Apple TV box (the small black device that connects to your television), the steps are straightforward. Pick up your Apple Remote and press the Menu button to go to the home screen. Then press the up arrow to reach the top menu bar, where you will see a profile icon in the upper right corner. Select it.
From there, scroll down and tap Settings. Once Settings opens, look for Accounts and Profiles near the top of the list. Select it, then select your account name (usually your email address or the name you gave the account). Scroll down to the bottom of that screen and you will see Sign Out. Tap it, and a confirmation message will appear asking if you are sure. Select Sign Out again to confirm.
The TV will return to the home screen, and your account will no longer be active on that device. The next time someone tries to open Apple TV, they will see a login screen.
How to sign out on Samsung, LG, and other smart TVs with built-in Apple TV
If your television has Apple TV built directly into it (rather than using a separate box), the menu structure is slightly different but the concept is identical. Open the Apple TV app on your TV. On most smart TVs, this means pressing the home or menu button on your remote and finding the Apple TV icon in your app list.
Once the app opens, look for a menu icon—usually three horizontal lines or a gear symbol—in the upper corner of the screen. Select it. From there, navigate to Accounts or Users. You may see a list of profiles or account names. Select the one you want to sign out of, then look for Sign Out or Remove Account. Confirm the action when prompted.
If you cannot find these options, check your TV's manual or the Apple Support website for your specific model, as the menu layout can vary between manufacturers.
What happens to your data after you sign out
Signing out of Apple TV on your television does not delete your watch history, your library of saved shows, your preferences, or any other account information. All of that data stays stored in your Apple ID account in the cloud. When you sign back in—whether on the same TV or a different device—everything will be exactly as you left it.
The only thing that changes is that the TV itself no longer has access to your account. If someone else picks up the remote, they cannot see your personal recommendations or continue watching where you left off. This is why signing out is important if you are sharing a TV with roommates, family members, or if you are preparing to sell or donate the device.
Signing out when you cannot access the Settings menu
If your Apple TV is frozen, unresponsive, or you cannot navigate to Settings for some reason, you have another option. You can sign out remotely using your Apple ID account on a computer or phone. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, select Devices, find the TV in your list, and choose Remove or Sign Out.
This remote sign-out will take effect the next time the TV connects to the internet. If the TV is offline, it may take a few minutes after it reconnects. This method is also useful if you have already sold or given away the TV and want to remove it from your account so someone else can sign in with their own Apple ID.
Signing out before selling or giving away your TV
If you are preparing to sell or give away your television, signing out of Apple TV is just the first step. After you sign out, you should also erase all other personal data from the TV. On Apple TV boxes, go to Settings, then System, then Reset, and choose Erase All Content and Settings. On smart TVs, look for a Factory Reset or Clear All Data option in the main Settings menu.
Erasing the device removes all apps, accounts, and personal information, leaving it in the same state as when it came from the factory. This protects your privacy and ensures the new owner can set up the TV with their own accounts. Always erase before handing over the device, even if you have already signed out of Apple TV.
Troubleshooting: what to do if Sign Out does not appear
If you navigate to your account name in Accounts and Profiles but do not see a Sign Out button, the account may be a child profile or a managed account. Child profiles cannot be signed out directly—the account holder must remove them from Family Sharing settings instead. Go to Settings, then Family, and look for the child's name, then select Remove or Delete.
If you are the main account holder and still cannot find Sign Out, try restarting the TV completely. Unplug it from power for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up. Then try navigating to Settings again. If the option still does not appear, your TV may need a software update. Go to Settings, then System or About, and look for Update Software or Check for Updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will signing out delete my watch history and saved shows?
No. Your watch history, library, and all saved shows stay in your Apple ID account. When you sign back in, everything will be there. Signing out only removes your account from that specific TV.
Can I sign out of Apple TV on my TV without using the remote?
Yes. Go to appleid.apple.com on a computer or phone, sign in, select Devices, find your TV, and choose Remove or Sign Out. The TV will sign out the next time it connects to the internet.
What if I forgot my Apple ID password?
You can reset your password at iforgot.apple.com. You will need access to your recovery email or phone number. Once you reset it, you can sign back into Apple TV with the new password.
Do I need to sign out before signing in with a different Apple ID?
Yes. You must sign out of the current account first. After signing out, the TV will show a login screen where you can enter a different Apple ID and password.
If I sign out, will other people on my TV lose their profiles?
If you have multiple profiles set up in Family Sharing, signing out of your account only removes your profile. Other family members' profiles will remain on the TV and they can continue using their own accounts.