Apple TV has a content organization app called, simply, TV. This app will be the central location for TV and movie content on your Apple TV, not just from your iTunes library, but also from several of your video apps, such as Hulu, Starz, HBO Now, and CBS.
With this guide, you'll learn how to use the TV app, link it to video sources, watch your purchased videos, and even change how Apple TV's Siri Remote works.
How to watch a show or movie in the TV app
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Watching is what the TV app is for, after all, and getting started is actually very simple.
- Open the TV app, either from the Home screen or by pressing the Home button on the Apple TV.
- Select a show or movie from Up Next to continue watching it immediately.
- Alternatively, scroll down to What to Watch or one of the other TV and movie sections.
- Click on your chosen show or movie.
- Click Play.
How to connect apps to the TV app
While it doesn't work with every video app (Netflix is notably absent, for instance), the TV app will automatically connect with apps like Hulu to provide access to their content in a unified location.
- Open the TV app, either from the Home screen or by pressing the Home button on the Apple TV.
- Click Continue on the message that pops up asking if you would like to connect content apps like Hulu, HBO Now, and Showtime to the TV app.
How to remove app connections to the TV app
If you don't like the suggestions provided by one of your video apps, and would rather not see them, you can always remove the connection between that app and the TV app.
- Open the Settings app.
- Click on Apps.
- Click TV.
- Click on the app whose connection you wish to remove.
- Click Remove [app name] to no longer see TV shows and movies from that app in TV.
- Click Remove and Clear Play History to remove the connection and delete all information about what you've watched in the app in question.
How to add shows and movies to Up Next in the TV App
Up Next should be your first stop when you're looking for something to watch. It offers up the latest episodes of your favorite shows, or helps you pick back up with a movie you were watching.
- Open the TV app, or any of your video apps connected to it, like Hulu or HBO Now.
- Play a movie or TV show.
- Open the TV app.
- Navigate to the Watch Now tab.
- Select a show or movie from Up Next to continue watching.
How to play a video from your library in the TV app
You'll no longer need to head to the separate Movies and TV Shows apps to watch your purchased content on the Apple TV.
- Open the TV app.
- Navigate to the Library section at the top of the screen.
- Swipe to browse your library and select a title.
- Click Play.
How to buy movies and TV shows in the TV app
In addition to watching previously-purchased content, you can also buy movies and TV shows from the TV app.
- Open the TV app.
- Navigate to the Store section at the top of the screen.
- Scroll down and choose a title.
- Click the Buy or Rent buttons when available.
How to watch live sports in the TV app on Apple TV
While you've always been able to watch live sports on tvOS thanks to a number of third-party apps, the TV app now has a section dedicated to bringing in the various live games available in those apps into a single place.
- Open the TV app on your Apple TV.
- Swipe up on your Apple TV remote.
- Select the Sports tab.
- Scroll through available games to find one you want to watch.
How to set up the TV app for your favorite teams on Apple TV
You can select your favorite teams and be notified when one of their games is on. Your choices for favorite teams will also sync to the TV app on iPhone and iPad.
- Open the TV app on your Apple TV.
- Swipe up on your Apple TV remote.
- Select the Sports tab.
- Scroll down and select the Pick Your Favorite Teams banner.
- Select one of the available sports.
- Select teams in the sport you've chosen.
- Choose as many teams from as many sports as you want.
- Highlight Favorites to see all of the teams that you've chosen in one place.
How to remove a favorite team from Apple TV
If you want to stop following a team, you can remove it from your favorites.
- Open the TV app on your Apple TV.
- Swipe up on your Apple TV remote.
- Select the Sports tab.
- Scroll to the bottom and click on the Pick Your Favorite Teams banner.
- Highlight the Favorites section.
- Click on the favorite that you want to remove.
- Click on Remove.
How to change the function of the Siri Remote Home button
As of tvOS 10.1, you can decide whether or not the Siri Remote's Home button should open the new TV app, or retain its previous functionality, taking you to the Apple TV Home screen.
- Open Settings.
- Select Remotes and Devices.
- Click on Home Button to select whether the Home button should take you to the TV app or the Apple TV Home screen.
Accessory options
Whether you've misplaced or damaged your Siri Remote, or you want a serious control upgrade, here are a couple of things you might want to take a look at to use with your Apple TV.
Siri Remote($60 at Amazon)
If you lost or have broken your Apple TV's included Siri Remote, it's easy enough to replace.
Logitech Harmony 950($200 at Amazon)
This remote can control your Apple TV perfectly, as well as your other entertainment devices.
Updated May 2019: Everything is up-to-date through tvOS 12.2.
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Apple on Tuesday released a series of software updates for iOS and OS X devices. For iOS devices, Apple released iOS 9.2 with bug fixes and overall improvements. For the Apple Watch, Apple released WatchOS 2.1 with support for new languages.
As for the new Apple TV, TVOS 9.1 with Siri support for Apple Music, but most importantly, the update also adds support for Apple's iOS Remote app. Using the Remote app users can type usernames and passwords using the iOS devices keyboard, instead of being forced to painstakingly enter log-in credentials using the Siri Remote.
Before you can take control of your TV with your iOS device, you'll need to update the software on your respective devices.
Apple TV
To update the software on the Apple TV, begin by opening the Settings app. Next, scroll down and select System from the list of options. Under Maintenance, click on Software Updates. Last, select Update Software. Accept and install the update when prompted.
iOS devices
You can update your iOS device by launching the Settings app, then tapping on General > Software Update. Follow the prompts once the update is found.
Apple Watch
We've already walked through how to update your Apple Watch, but here's a refuses: Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap on General > Software Update. After the update is found, follow the prompts. Keep in mind you'll need to place your Apple Watch on its charger during the installation process.
Set up the Remote app
With the software across your devices up to date, you can control your Apple TV using your iOS device or Apple Watch with the Remote app.
After installing the app, you'll be asked to enable Home Sharing or add a new device to the app. If you already have Home Sharing enabled on your Apple TV, select this option and sign in using the same Apple ID you used on your Apple TV.
Conversely, you can add an Apple TV that doesn't use the same Home Sharing account using the Add a Device option. On your Apple TV, open the Settings app, then go to Remotes and Devices > Remote App and look for the name of the device you have installed the Remote app on.
On your iOS device or Apple Watch, launch the Remote app and select 'Add a device.' (If you've already set up the app, you can also select 'Add an iTunes Library' from the app's settings screen.) The app will then give you a four-digit code, which you'll need to enter on your Apple TV.
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