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Apple TV: the parent’s setup guide

Family Sharing profiles, Restrictions passcode, and the streaming-app gotchas particular to tvOS.

Streaming guide·Last reviewed 2026-04-22·2 min read·by Lexeprint Inc.

Child profiles via child Apple ID

Apple TV uses the same Family Sharing system as iPhone/iPad. Sign the kid’s Apple TV profile in with their child Apple ID; controls and rules follow them.

Setup

  1. On the Apple TV, Settings › Users and Accounts › Add New User › sign in with the child Apple ID.
  2. Settings › General › Restrictions — turn on and set a restriction passcode.
  3. Set age rating for movies (PG / PG-13 / R) and TV (TV-Y through TV-MA).
  4. Disable “Explicit Music” content.
  5. Require password for every purchase (don’t use “never”).
  6. Settings › Users and Accounts › set switch-user-on-sleep so the kid doesn’t stay signed in as you.
  7. If Screen Time is shared via Family Sharing, bedtime and app limits apply on the Apple TV too.

Controlling the streaming apps on Apple TV

Apple TV’s restrictions only cover the TV app and Apple Music. Netflix, Disney+, Hulu — each has its own profile / PIN system. See our guides for Netflix, Disney+/Hulu/Max, Prime Video.

AirPlay & Screen Mirroring

  • AirPlay is how other devices cast to the TV. In a shared household, this rarely causes problems, but it’s worth knowing strangers on your WiFi could AirPlay if you have an open guest network.
  • Set AirPlay to “Everyone on the Same Network” at most; or lock it to Home Sharing users.

Apps and games

The Apple TV App Store mirrors iOS content rating. Set a minimum age under Restrictions, and require a PIN to install apps.

Known bypasses

  • A kid who knows the main account password can switch users. Don’t share your Apple ID password.
  • HDMI input switching bypasses everything — a Fire TV Stick or Chromecast plugged in next to the Apple TV becomes a parallel, unmanaged world.