Apple TV autoplay is usually off by default, or turned off in your settings

Apple TV does not automatically play the next episode unless you turn the feature on. The app ships with autoplay disabled, so if you are not seeing the next episode start when one finishes, that is the expected behavior — not a glitch. You need to enable it yourself in the app settings, and the setting works differently depending on whether you are using an Apple TV device, an iPhone, iPad, or another streaming device.

Autoplay exists to keep you watching without interruption, but Apple leaves it off because many people find it annoying or want to choose when to stop. If you have never turned it on, that is why it is not working. If you turned it on before and it stopped working, one of your settings likely changed, or you are looking in the wrong place for the toggle.

Key Takeaways

  • Autoplay is turned off by default in Apple TV and must be switched on manually in your account settings.
  • The setting location differs by device: on Apple TV boxes it is in Settings > Apps > TV, while on iPhone and iPad it is in the TV app settings under your profile.
  • Autoplay only works within a single show; it will not jump to a different series when one finishes.
  • If autoplay was on and stopped working, check whether a recent app update reset your settings or whether you are signed into a different account.

How to turn on autoplay on an Apple TV device

On an Apple TV box (4th generation or later), go to Settings, then Apps, then TV. Look for Autoplay and toggle it on. The setting applies to all shows you watch on that device. Once it is on, the next episode will begin playing automatically when the current one ends, with a countdown timer that lets you stop it if you want.

If you cannot find the TV app in Settings, your Apple TV may be running an older version of tvOS. Check Settings > System > Software Updates to see if an update is available. After updating, the TV app settings should appear in the Apps menu.

How to turn on autoplay on iPhone and iPad

Open the TV app and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings, then scroll down and look for Autoplay. Toggle it on. This setting syncs across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac if you are signed into the same Apple ID, so turning it on once affects all those devices.

If you do not see a profile icon, you may not be signed into an Apple ID in the TV app. Tap Sign In at the bottom of the screen, enter your Apple ID credentials, and then return to Settings to find the autoplay toggle.

How to turn on autoplay on other devices

If you watch Apple TV on a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Samsung TV, or other third-party device, the autoplay setting is usually in the TV app itself, not in the device settings. Open the TV app, find your profile or account menu (often a gear icon or your name), and look for Autoplay or Playback Settings. The exact location varies by device, so check the menu structure carefully.

Some third-party devices may not support autoplay at all, depending on how old the device is or when the TV app was last updated. If you cannot find an autoplay option after checking the app settings, your device may not have the feature available.

What autoplay does and does not do

Autoplay plays the next episode of the same show automatically. It does not skip to a different series, and it does not play related content or recommendations. When one episode ends, the next episode in that series begins, with a 15-second countdown that you can tap to cancel.

Autoplay also does not override parental controls. If you have restricted content turned on for your account, autoplay will not play episodes you are not allowed to watch. The countdown will appear, but the episode will not start.

Why autoplay might stop working after it was on

If autoplay was working and then stopped, the most common reason is that you signed out of your Apple ID or switched to a different account. Autoplay settings are tied to your Apple ID, so signing out and back in, or using a guest account, will disable autoplay. Sign back into your original account and turn autoplay on again in Settings.

An app update can also reset your settings to the default. If you updated the TV app recently and autoplay stopped working, go back to Settings and turn it on again. Some users also report that autoplay turns off after their device has not been used for several weeks, though this is less common.

Autoplay and your viewing history

Autoplay remembers where you stopped watching. If you finish episode 3 of a show and autoplay is on, the next time you open that show, it will resume from where you left off and then play episode 4 automatically. If you want to watch a different episode, you can tap the screen during the countdown to stop autoplay, or select a specific episode from the show menu before it starts.

Your viewing history is stored on your Apple ID, so if you sign into Apple TV on a new device with the same account, autoplay will work the same way there. If you want to reset your history or start a show over, you can do that from the show page by tapping the menu icon and selecting Mark as Unwatched or Remove from Up Next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does autoplay work on all shows in Apple TV?

Autoplay works on most shows, but some content may not have it available. If a show is a limited series with only one season, or if the rights holder has restricted autoplay, the feature may not work. You will see the countdown timer only if autoplay is available for that show.

Can I turn autoplay on for some shows but not others?

No. Autoplay is an all-or-nothing setting for your account. When it is on, it applies to every show you watch. You cannot disable it for individual series, but you can always tap the countdown timer to stop the next episode from playing.

Will autoplay play episodes I have already watched?

No. Autoplay picks up where you left off and plays the next unwatched episode. If you have watched episodes 1 through 5, autoplay will start with episode 6. If you want to rewatch an earlier episode, you can select it manually from the show menu.

Does autoplay work if I am using a family sharing account?

Autoplay settings are individual to each family member's account. If you share an Apple ID with others, each person can turn autoplay on or off in their own profile settings, and it will not affect the others. Make sure you are signed into your own account, not a shared one.

Why does the countdown timer appear but the episode does not start?

This usually means parental controls are blocking that episode. Check your account settings to see if content restrictions are turned on. You may need to enter a PIN or adjust the rating limits to allow the episode to play. Contact the account holder if you do not have permission to change these settings.