Apple TV app profiles let household members keep separate watch histories, watchlists, and personalized recommendations. The controls belong to the Apple TV app—including when you use it to watch Apple TV+—and their names and availability can vary by device and region.
How do profiles work on Apple TV+?
Profiles are separate viewing spaces in the Apple TV app. Each has its own watch history, watchlist, and personalized recommendations. Switching profiles refreshes profile-specific surfaces such as the watchlist, video collections, and recommendations. The queue may be labeled Continue Watching, Up Next, or another term depending on the device; Apple does not use one label universally.
Apple documents profile features on Apple TV 4K and in the Apple TV app on supported TVs and living-room devices. Feature availability and menu labels can differ by platform and region, so use the instructions for your device.
Apple Account or managed profile: which should you use?
| Profile type | How it works | Management and controls |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Account profile | Signed in with an Apple Account. | Provides an individual profile. On Apple TV 4K, an Apple Account profile can create and manage managed profiles. |
| Managed profile | Created for a household member who does not have an Apple Account. | On Apple TV 4K, an Apple Account profile can create up to five managed profiles and set recommended or custom restrictions. Child profiles present age-appropriate content and search results according to those settings. |
On Apple TV 4K, the managing profile can access managed profiles’ playback and search data, and can modify, delete, or upgrade them. Deleting a managed profile deletes its watch history and other profile data and removes it from Apple TV app devices signed in with the managing profile. See Apple’s Apple TV 4K profile guide for the device-specific details.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- 4K High Dynamic Range (Dolby Vision and HDR10) for stunning picture quality
- Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound
- A10X Fusion chip for ultra-fast graphics and performance
- Voice search by asking the Siri Remote
Does Apple TV have separate watch histories?
Yes. Apple says each profile has its own watch history, and the Apple TV app uses what you watch to personalize recommendations. On Apple TV 4K, the current profile’s Use Play History setting controls whether history is used for personalized recommendations and Continue Watching.
To check the setting on Apple TV 4K, open Settings > Apps > TV and review Use Play History. Apple’s guide describes this setting for Apple TV 4K; other devices may place equivalent controls elsewhere or not offer the same control. Details are in Apple’s Apple TV app settings guide.
Rank #2
- Advanced 4K streaming - Elevate your entertainment with the next generation of our best-selling 4K stick, with improved streaming performance optimized for 4K TVs.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Cloud gaming, no console required – Stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and hundreds of games on your Fire TV Stick 4K Select with Xbox Game Pass and Luna via cloud gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscription and compatible controller required. Each sold separately.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Wi-Fi 6 support - Enjoy smooth 4K streaming, even when other devices are connected to your router.
How do I stop one person’s shows appearing in Up Next?
Switch to that person’s profile before they watch. Separate profiles keep their histories and personalized recommendations distinct, which helps keep their viewing from shaping your profile’s queue. Find the profile switcher in the Apple TV app sidebar or the device’s profile controls; the exact route depends on the platform.
On Apple TV 4K, turn off Use Play History in the current profile’s Apple TV app settings if you do not want that profile’s history used for recommendations and Continue Watching. This setting changes how history is used; it is not the same as clearing saved history.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #3
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
Apple also offers For All of You recommendations as a shared option. Rather than replacing each profile’s individual recommendations, this row uses the selected profiles’ tastes and viewing histories to suggest something for a group. See Apple’s personalization guide.
How do I add or switch profiles?
On Apple TV 4K
- Open Settings > Profiles and Accounts to add or manage profiles, or use Control Center or the Apple TV app sidebar to access profile options.
- Choose the profile you want to use. The Apple TV app refreshes profile-specific watchlist, video collections, and recommendations for that selection.
On supported TVs and living-room devices
- Open the Apple TV app sidebar or Settings > Profiles, then choose the option to add a profile.
- Select the desired profile when you watch. Available setup and switching controls vary by device.
Apple lists device-specific steps in its guides for Apple TV 4K and the Apple TV app on supported TVs and living-room devices. An Apple TV 4K is not required to use profiles; the app supports them on other supported devices too.
Rank #4
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Can I clear my Apple TV watch history?
On Apple TV 4K, the Apple TV app’s Clear Play History control removes watched shows and movies from the current profile’s Continue Watching row across devices. Apple’s documentation establishes this effect in the Apple TV app; it does not say that clearing this history removes subscriptions, purchases, or records held by third-party services.
Use the Apple TV 4K app settings to find Clear Play History; the exact menu location can change with device software. If you want future viewing not to inform recommendations or Continue Watching, review Use Play History separately. Apple documents both controls in its Apple TV app settings guide.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Best Value
- Dolby Atmos for immersive, room-filling sound - 4K High Frame Rate HDR with Dolby Vision for fluid, crisp video
- A12 Bionic chip gives a big boost to audio, video, and graphics, for even better game and app experiences than ever before
- The new Siri Remote with touch-enabled clickpad - Use AirPlay to share photos, videos, and more from your device on your TV
- Apple Original shows and movies from Apple TV+ - Watch the latest hits from Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and more
- More ways to enjoy your TV with Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, and Apple Music - Private listening using up to two sets of AirPods
How do I lock an Apple TV profile with a passcode?
On supported Apple TV app devices, you can require a four-digit code to switch to a profile. Apple says this limits access to that profile’s watch history, recommendations, and watchlist. Look in the profile settings on your device; availability and menu names vary.
A profile code and content restrictions do different jobs. A code controls access to the profile, while restrictions limit content. On Apple TV 4K, the managing profile can set recommended or custom restrictions for managed profiles, including child profiles. Apple’s guidance is in its profile guide and restrictions guide.
Quick Recap
What to check when the queue or recommendations look wrong
- Confirm the active profile. Each profile has its own viewing surfaces; switching profiles changes which watchlist and recommendations you see.
- Check Use Play History on Apple TV 4K. When enabled, history can inform recommendations and Continue Watching; disabling it prevents that use going forward.
- Clear history only if you want watched items removed from Continue Watching. On Apple TV 4K, clearing history affects the current profile’s row across devices.
- Check whether you are viewing a shared recommendation row. For All of You draws on selected profiles, unlike an individual profile’s personalized recommendations.
- Verify device support. Apple cautions that features differ by device and region, so another TV or app version may not expose the same controls.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
