How to Sign In to Apple TV on Any Device

Apple TV sign in gets confusing because the same account works across an Apple TV box, the Apple TV app, smart TVs, phones, computers, and the web. Pick the device in front of you, follow the exact menu path, and use your Apple Account email address or phone number with your password.

These are the current Apple-supported sign-in paths for Apple TV hardware and the Apple TV app in 2026, including QR code setup, profiles, subscription prompts, and wrong-account cleanup.

1. Start on a new Apple TV box

1.During Apple TV setup, choose Set Up with iPhone.
2.Unlock your iPhone and hold it next to your Apple TV.
3.Follow the onscreen steps on your iPhone and Apple TV.

This is the iPhone-first setup for a new Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD. It moves the sign-in work to the device that already has your Apple Account.

Using the remote instead also works. Choose Set Up Manually, connect to Wi-Fi, then sign in with your Apple Account when Apple TV asks for it.

2. Add your Apple Account after setup

For an Apple TV that is already set up, Settings is the main path.

1.Open Settings on Apple TV.
2.Select Users and Accounts.
3.Choose a Suggested User or select Add New User.
4.Select Use Another Apple Device.
5.Bring a signed-in iPhone or iPad nearby.
6.Follow the instructions on both devices.

To type the account details on Apple TV, choose Sign in Manually, enter your Apple Account email address or phone number, enter your password, then enter the six-digit verification code when Apple TV asks for it.

3. Create a profile on Apple TV 4K

Profiles are the cleaner option on shared Apple TV 4K devices because each Apple Account profile gets its own signed-in space. From Settings, go to Settings > Profiles and Accounts > Add New Profile, select Sign in with Apple Account, then finish the onscreen sign-in steps.

You can also use the remote shortcut: press and hold the TV button, open Control Center, go to the Profiles tab, select Add Profile, then follow the Apple Account sign-in prompts.

From inside the Apple TV app on Apple TV 4K, open the sidebar, select the profile at the top, choose Add Profile, select Sign in with Apple Account, and follow the onscreen instructions.

1.Open the Apple TV app.
2.Use the controller’s Back button or Left button to open the sidebar.
3.Go to Settings.
4.Select Sign in.
5.Enter your Apple Account email address or phone number and password, or scan the QR code shown on the TV screen with your phone.

This is the Apple TV app path for a smart TV, streaming device, game console, cable box, or satellite service.

During app setup, choose Sign In On Mobile Device for the code flow. Scan the QR code on the TV screen with your phone camera, or go to link.apple.com, enter the code, and follow the instructions on your device.

5. Add another app profile

Use this when another person needs their own Apple Account inside the Apple TV app on a smart TV, streaming device, or game console.

Open the Apple TV app.
Open the sidebar.
Select the profile at the top of the sidebar, then choose Add Profile.
Or go to Settings > Profiles > Add New Profile.
Choose the QR or mobile-device path, scan the QR code, then sign in to the new profile’s Apple Account.
For remote entry, select Sign in manually and follow the onscreen instructions.

Managed profiles for an adult can be upgraded too. Open the sidebar, go to Settings > Profiles, select the managed profile, choose Upgrade to Apple Account, and finish the Apple Account sign-in.

6. Use the app on phone computer or web

Mac Apple TV app Open the Apple TV app, click Apple Account in the bottom-left corner and follow the onscreen instructions, or choose Account > Sign In.
Windows Apple TV app Open the Apple TV app, select Sign In at the bottom of the sidebar, choose Sign In under View My Account, enter your Apple Account details, then select Sign In. To play Apple TV Store purchases or rentals, select your name at the bottom of the sidebar, choose Authorize Machine, sign in, then select Continue.
Android Apple TV app Open the Apple TV app, tap Sign In in the top-right corner, tap Sign In in the Settings menu, then follow the onscreen instructions.
iPhone or iPad Open Settings, tap Apple Account at the top, then choose Use Another Apple Device or Sign in Manually. The Apple TV app uses the Apple Account signed in on the device for Apple services.
Apple Vision Pro Go to Settings > Apple Account, enter your Apple Account email address or phone number, enter your password, then enter the six-digit verification code when asked.
Web browser Go to tv.apple.com, choose Sign In, then sign in to your Apple Account. Complete any prompts to add or verify a credit card or finish setup.

7. Clear purchase and subscription prompts

A message about no iTunes Store account, terms and conditions, purchases, downloads, or subscriptions means your Apple Account needs media setup completed before Apple TV can use it for that action.

1.Go to tv.apple.com or music.apple.com.
2.Choose Sign In.
3.Sign in to your Apple Account.
4.Follow the prompts to complete setup.
5.Return to Apple TV and sign in again.
6.Accept the terms and conditions when prompted.

For an Apple TV subscription from a wireless carrier or provider, open the text, email, or other link from that provider, then follow the onscreen steps to connect the subscription to your Apple Account. On iPhone or iPad, you can also open Settings > [your name] > Subscriptions, scroll to the carrier name, then tap it.

For an Apple TV subscription purchased through Amazon Prime, go to link.apple.com/account/partner/YW1hem9u/login, follow the onscreen steps to sign in to your Amazon account, then connect the subscription.

Older instructions say Apple ID. Apple’s current name is Apple Account, and the sign-in still uses the same email address or phone number and password.
Use link.apple.com for Apple TV app code entry. Current Apple setup instructions use the QR code on the TV screen or link.apple.com. If you are creating a new Apple Account during smart TV setup, Apple may still direct you to activate.apple.com.
TV provider sign-in is separate from Apple Account sign-in. On Apple TV 4K, go to Settings > Profiles and Accounts > TV Provider > Sign In to connect a supported cable or satellite provider. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > TV Provider. On Apple Vision Pro, go to Settings > TV Provider.
Work and school devices can block account changes or nearby-device password features through device management. Managed Apple Accounts from schools or organizations are not supported for Apple TV 4K profiles.

9. Remove the wrong saved account

Wrong account stuck on the screen? Sign out on personal devices, or reset the Apple TV app on shared TV devices.

Apple TV 4K Go to Settings > Profiles and Accounts, select the profile, then choose Remove Profile.
Mac Open the Apple TV app, then choose Account > Sign Out.
Windows Open the Apple TV app, select your name at the bottom of the sidebar, then choose Sign Out.
Android Open the Apple TV app, tap your account icon in the top-right corner, tap Account Settings, then tap Sign Out.
Smart TV streaming device game console cable or satellite service Open the Apple TV app, open the sidebar, go to Settings > Reset, then select Reset. Reset erases the app’s saved accounts and configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Apple Account to watch Apple TV?

Yes for Apple TV purchases, subscriptions, profiles, and Apple TV app access tied to Apple services. TV provider sign-in is separate and only connects supported cable or satellite provider access.

Where do I enter the Apple TV code shown on my TV?

Use link.apple.com. Apple’s current setup path is to scan the QR code on the TV screen or go to link.apple.com and enter the code.

Can I sign in to Apple TV on Windows?

Yes. Open the Apple TV app, select Sign In at the bottom of the sidebar, choose Sign In under View My Account, enter your Apple Account details, then select Sign In.

Why can’t I add my school or work Apple Account to an Apple TV 4K profile?

Managed Apple Accounts from schools or organizations are not supported on Apple TV 4K profiles. A managed device can also restrict account changes or nearby-device sign-in features.