Apple’s latest lineup of software updates has arrived, including tvOS 26.2, HomePod 26.2, and visionOS 26.2. Here’s what’s new.
Profiles launched on Apple TV several years ago, but only recently has tvOS started making them a core feature for users.
In tvOS 26, Apple made profile selection the first screen you see upon booting up your Apple TV 4K.
And in tvOS 26.2, a pair of new changes make profiles more accessible and useful than before.
To start, you can now create new user profiles without tying them to a specific Apple Account.
This is great in a variety of scenarios, such as making new profiles for guests or children in your household.
Previously, adding a profile required an entire Apple Account set up too, such as through a Family Sharing group. But with tvOS 26.2, making profiles is now just as easy as it is across third-party apps like Netflix and Disney+.
There’s a second profile change in today’s update too: kids’ profiles now impact the content displayed inside Apple’s TV app.
When setting up a child’s profile, you’ll be able to configure content rating restrictions too. And these restrictions will ensure that Apple’s TV app only shows TV shows and movies that are age-appropriate per your choices.
Overall, it’s great to see Apple start taking profiles more seriously on Apple TV. It’s great that I can now easily set up a profile for my toddler and have Mickey Mouse Clubhouse limited to his TV app queue rather than my own.
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