How to set up parental controls on Apple TV 4K

You can set device restrictions, often called parental controls, so only authorized profiles can watch, download, or play items from search results, or make purchases on Apple TV 4K. Once restrictions are set, you’ll enter a 4-digit passcode to access any restricted content.

You can restrict purchasing or renting TV shows, movies, and apps, accessing content based on ratings or explicit language, or playing multiplayer games in Game Center. And if you remove all restrictions for a while, the original ones are intact when you turn them back on.

Here’s how to set up restrictions on your Apple TV 4K.

Quick tip: For managing content restrictions for profiles in the Apple TV app, see our article, Set up or modify content restrictions for profiles.

Turn on restrictions

1. Do either of the following:
   • Press and hold the TV button on the remote to open Control Center, then select the Restrictions button.
   • Go to Settings on Apple TV 4K, then go to General > Restrictions.
2. Turn on restrictions, and enter a 4-digit passcode.

   Once you enter and verify the passcode, options in the Restrictions menu are enabled. To set or override restrictions, you must enter the passcode.

   Tip: To allow certain profiles to use their device to bypass restrictions instead of entering the passcode, select Allow or Block for any profile listed in the Restrictions menu.

Configure what types of content are restricted

1. Do either of the following:
   • Press and hold the TV button on the remote to open Control Center, then select the Restrictions button.
   • Go to Settings on Apple TV 4K, then go to General > Restrictions.
2. Enter the passcode if required.
3. Select the activity you want to restrict, such as:
   • Purchasing or renting TV shows, movies, and apps (including in-app purchases)
   • Accessing apps, TV shows, movies, music, or podcasts based on ratings or explicit language
   • Playing multiplayer games, adding friends, or changing privacy settings in Game Center
   • Changing AirPlay, TV Provider, or Location settings

   Once restrictions are set, you must enter the passcode to access any restricted content.

Change the passcode

1. Do either of the following:
   • Press and hold the TV button on the remote to open Control Center, then select the Restrictions button.
   • Go to Settings on Apple TV 4K, then go to General > Restrictions.
2. Select Change Passcode, enter the current passcode, and then enter the new passcode.

Remove all restrictions

You’re able to remove all restrictions temporarily, then turn them back on again later.

1. Do either of the following:
   • Press and hold the TV button on the remote to open Control Center, then select the Restrictions button.
   • Go to Settings on Apple TV 4K, then go to General > Restrictions.
2. Enter the passcode and then set Restrictions to Off.

   When you set Restrictions back to On, the original restrictions you set are intact.

If you use Family Sharing, you can also limit what your family members can buy from your iPhone or iPad. That includes enabling Ask to Buy, so your kids can purchase items only with parental approval.

Note: Apps you download from the App Store may not follow your restrictions. You can restrict content outside the Apple TV app by adjusting each app’s settings, either in the app itself or under Apps in Settings. For the steps, read our guide, Adjust settings for specific apps on Apple TV 4K.

Not all features and content are available in all countries or regions or on all Apple TV hardware models.