The most recent Apple TV replace lastly delivers a long-awaited function

When tvOS 26 launched on Apple TV in September, one of many largest adjustments it launched was making the profile choice display screen the very first thing you see while you activate the machine.

Apple added profiles to Apple TV years in the past, however switching between them was buried within the Management Heart, which made it straightforward to overlook, so the brand new profile choice display screen added with tvOS 26 was a welcome enchancment. Nonetheless, one distinguished function was nonetheless lacking from Apple TV profiles — till now.

With the newest tvOS 26.2 replace, Apple has lastly added the power to create profiles on the Apple TV with out linking them to an Apple ID (by way of 9to5Mac). Meaning now you can arrange a correct visitor profile or create profiles for different members of your family while not having their Apple ID.

Roku has provided a guest mode for years, however Apple’s outdated Apple ID requirement made it a ache to arrange a visitor profile except you created a separate Apple ID only for that objective. With this replace, making a profile in your Apple TV is now simply as straightforward as making one on a streaming service like Prime Video, Netflix, or Disney+.

Apple has additionally added a youngsters’ mode with tvOS 26.2

The replace is out there now

Along with permitting you to create profiles in your Apple TV with out an Apple ID with tvOS 26.2, Apple has launched a brand new choice to mark a profile as supposed for a kid, successfully including a youngsters’ mode to Apple TV. This mechanically restricts the Apple TV expertise to PG content material by default, making it simpler to make sure youngsters solely see age-appropriate exhibits and flicks. You may as well customise the allowed ranking to match their age, resembling TV-G or TV-14.

Should you share your Apple TV with relations or roommates, tvOS 26.2 will undoubtedly make that have a lot simpler, and it is good to see Apple lastly giving profiles some consideration after including them with tvOS 17 again in 2023.

tvOS 26.2 is rolling out now, and you may simply replace to it by opening the settings menu in your Apple TV, navigating to System > Software program Updates, and choosing Replace Software program.

In different Apple TV information, though Apple did not launch a brand new Apple TV 4K this yr, there are nonetheless many reasons to look forward to it subsequent yr, with its anticipated chipset improve being one of many largest.