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How to Set Up and Manage Parental Controls on the Apple TV Device

Key takeaways:

  • Apple TV offers built-in parental controls to restrict content and purchases
  • You can set up restrictions for movies, TV shows, apps, and more based on age ratings
  • Restrictions can be enabled and managed through the Settings app on your Apple TV

As a parent, it’s essential to ensure that your children are watching age-appropriate content on your Apple TV. Fortunately, Apple provides robust parental control features that allow you to restrict access to certain types of content, apps, and purchases. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of setting up and managing parental controls on your Apple TV device.

Enabling Parental Controls on Apple TV

To get started, follow these steps:

  1. On your Apple TV, navigate to the Settings app.
  2. Select General and then choose Restrictions.
  3. Click on Turn On Restrictions and enter a 4-digit passcode. This passcode will be required to make changes to your parental control settings in the future.
  4. Re-enter the passcode to confirm it.

Once you’ve enabled restrictions, you can customize the settings to suit your family’s needs.

Restricting Content Based on Age Ratings

One of the most important aspects of parental controls is the ability to restrict content based on age ratings. Apple TV allows you to set restrictions for movies, TV shows, and apps. Here’s how:

  1. In the Restrictions menu, select Movies.
  2. Choose the highest age rating you want to allow. Options include Don’t Allow Movies, G, PG, PG-13, and R.
  3. Repeat the process for TV Shows and Apps, selecting the appropriate age ratings for each category.

By setting these restrictions, you can ensure that your children only have access to content that is suitable for their age group.

Blocking iTunes Store Purchases and Rentals

If you want to prevent your children from making unauthorized purchases or rentals from the iTunes Store, you can disable these features entirely. To do this:

  1. In the Restrictions menu, scroll down to the iTunes Store section.
  2. Turn off the toggles for Purchase and Rental and In-App Purchases.

This will prevent anyone from buying or renting content or making in-app purchases without entering the restriction passcode.

Restricting Game Center Features

Game Center is a social gaming network that allows users to play multiplayer games, add friends, and compare achievements. If you want to limit your child’s access to these features, you can do so through the parental control settings:

  1. In the Restrictions menu, scroll down to the Game Center section.
  2. Turn off the toggles for Multiplayer Games and Adding Friends.

By disabling these options, you can prevent your child from interacting with strangers or spending too much time playing online games.

Managing Other Restriction Settings

In addition to the content and purchase restrictions, Apple TV offers several other parental control options:

  • Siri Explicit Language: Prevents Siri from displaying or speaking explicit language.
  • Screen Recording: Disables the ability to record the screen.
  • Location Services: Limits access to location data for apps.
  • Conference Room Display: Hides sensitive information when using Apple TV in a conference room setting.

Review these settings and adjust them according to your preferences and your family’s needs.

FAQ

Can I set different restrictions for each family member?

No, the parental control settings on Apple TV apply to all users. If you want to set different restrictions for each family member, you’ll need to use the built-in Screen Time feature on their individual iOS devices.

What happens if I forget my restriction passcode?

If you forget your restriction passcode, you’ll need to reset your Apple TV to its factory settings. This will erase all of your settings and preferences, so be sure to write down your passcode in a safe place.

Can I restrict content from third-party apps like Netflix or Hulu?

The built-in parental controls on Apple TV only apply to content purchased or rented through the iTunes Store and apps downloaded from the App Store. To restrict content on third-party apps, you’ll need to use the parental control settings within each individual app.

Will the parental controls also apply to AirPlay content?

Yes, when restrictions are enabled on your Apple TV, they will also apply to any content streamed via AirPlay from an iOS device or Mac.

By taking advantage of the parental control features on your Apple TV, you can create a safer and more age-appropriate viewing experience for your children. Remember to regularly review and update your settings as your children grow and their needs change.

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