With tvOS 26.2, Apple is changing the way that profiles work on the Apple TV. It's now possible to create a profile without an Apple Account, which is particularly useful for guest profiles and profiles for children.


In the ‌Apple TV‌ Settings app's profiles section, the "Add New Profile" option no longer requests that users sign in with an Apple device or manually with an Apple Account.

Alongside the Apple Account sign in, there is a "Create Profile" option that only requires a name, a profile rating, and a yes or no question about whether the new user is a child.


Selecting yes limits content to a PG rating by default, but there is a customize option for more granular control. Users can select ratings for TV shows and movies that are appropriate for the child based on their age. All of the standard TV show and movie ratings are available to select. Creating a child account and choosing a rating changes the ‌Apple TV‌ content that is available to the child. The ‌Apple TV‌ app will only show content that is appropriate for the limits that have been established for the account.


In tvOS 26.1, the latest public version of tvOS, profiles require an Apple Account. The TV app has a dedicated children's section and parents can set up parental controls to limit access, but it is not the full kids-only ‌Apple TV‌ view that's in tvOS 26.2.


The ‌Apple TV‌ app in tvOS 26.2 does not show any adult content when a child's profile is signed in, including in the Store and Library sections of the app. Only kids shows and movies are available to watch or purchase.

Years ago prior to the launch of tvOS 14, there were rumors of a dedicated kids mode for the ‌Apple TV‌, but that didn't materialize. The changes in tvOS 26.2 are the closest Apple has come to an ‌Apple TV‌ experience just for children.

When a kids profile is active, it only applies to the ‌Apple TV‌ app. All other apps are visible and accessible to the user, and any app can be downloaded from the App Store. Parental controls still need to be used to limit access to content outside of the ‌Apple TV‌ app.

Setting up an adult profile allows for unrestricted access to the content on the ‌Apple TV‌, so adults in the home that don't have an Apple Account can also now have their own profiles with their own content recommendations. Any account that is created without an Apple Account can be deleted or can be upgraded to add an Apple Account at a later time.

Profiles on tvOS 26.2 say that they may also show up on certain third-party devices, so accounts for children may also be accessible on devices with the ‌Apple TV‌ app, like smart TVs.

tvOS 26.2 is available for developers and public beta testers at the current time, and it is expected to launch sometime around the middle of December.
This article, "tvOS 26.2 Lets You Create Apple TV Profiles Without an Account, Adds Dedicated Kids Mode" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

A new Apple TV and HomePod mini could launch as soon as this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today suggested.


In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple retail stores are planning an overnight refresh on the evening of November 11, where changes will be made after closing, such as refreshing displays and placing new products for the following day.

The timing of the overnight refresh could simply be related to the holiday season, but there is a possibility that it relates to the launch of new ‌Apple TV‌ and ‌HomePod mini‌ models. Gurman notes that inventory of current models has become tight, likely signaling that new versions are on the way. He added that even if they do not launch by the end of 2025, they "shouldn't be far off."

The new ‌Apple TV‌ and ‌HomePod mini‌ will apparently "help showcase the new Siri and Apple Intelligence features planned for next year." During its earnings call earlier this week, Apple seemingly suggested that any more new Macs are off the table for the rest of 2026, making the new ‌Apple TV‌ and ‌HomePod mini‌ the most likely candidates for any remaining Apple product releases this year.


This article, "New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Likely Launching Soon" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is a holiday season classic, and Apple is making it free to watch on their Apple TV service for a weekend in the middle of November. Specifically, on Saturday November 15, and Sunday November 16, 2025, you’ll be able to tune in and enjoy the Thanksgiving Charlie Brown special for free ... Read More

Apple on Wednesday updated the 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro with its next-generation M5 chip, but previous rumors have indicated that the company still plans to announce at least a few additional products before the end of the year.


The following Apple products have at one point been rumored to be updated in 2025, although it is unclear if the timeframe for any of them has been pushed back:

• HomePod mini: S9 chip or newer with support for next year's revamped version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, likely Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, improved sound quality, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for proximity features, and potentially new color options like Red.


• Apple TV: A faster A17 Pro chip that will support next year's revamped version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, and likely Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support. A built-in FaceTime camera has been rumored for a future Apple TV, but it is unclear if that will arrive with the next model specifically.


• AirTag: Up to 3× longer item tracking range vs. current AirTag, a more tamper-proof speaker, and "very low" battery life alerts.

The following products are rumored to launch in late 2025 or early 2026:

• MacBook with A18 Pro chip: A lower-cost MacBook model equipped with an A18 Pro chip — or perhaps an A19 Pro chip, although this might be wishful thinking — is rumored to launch in late 2025 or early 2026.


• Studio Display: A new version of the Studio Display with an A19 Pro chip and mini-LED backlighting is expected to launch in late 2025 or early 2026.


• Pro Display XDR: A new version of the Pro Display XDR with a built-in Center Stage camera is expected to launch in late 2025 or early 2026.

Apple's exact plans for the rest of the year remain to be seen, but it is not unusual for the company to announce new products in late October through November. Apple has even announced some products in December over the years, such as multiple Mac Pro models, the Pro Display XDR, and the AirPods Max.

HomePod mini and Apple TV inventory is starting to dwindle at select Apple Store locations around the world, as often happens ahead of new models.

As for other Macs, it is possible that no additional models will follow until next year. It would have made sense for the iMac and Mac mini to be updated with the M5 chip alongside the 14-inch MacBook Pro, if they were coming this year, and higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are rumored to launch in early 2026. The next MacBook Air and Mac Studio models are expected to launch next year, too, while the timeframe for the next Mac Pro desktop tower is up in the air.
This article, "Apple's Next Rumored Products: New HomePod Mini, Apple TV, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

HomePod mini and Apple TV inventory is starting to dwindle at select Apple Store locations around the world, suggesting that new models may be imminent.


For example, the HomePod mini is completely out of stock in all five color options at Apple's flagship Regent Street store in London, as of this writing.

Some other HomePod mini and Apple TV configurations are out of stock at some Apple Store locations, but online availability is faring better for now.

Both the HomePod mini and Apple TV are expected to be updated this year, and the following new features and changes have been rumored for the devices:

• HomePod mini: S9 chip or newer with support for next year's revamped version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 support, improved sound quality, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, and potentially new color options like Red.


• Apple TV: A faster A17 Pro chip that will support next year's revamped version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, and an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 support. A built-in FaceTime camera has been rumored for a future Apple TV, but it is unclear if that will arrive with the next model.

In his Power On newsletter last weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple planned to announce new products "this week." However, in a follow-up post on X, he merely said the products would be announced "as early as this week."
This article, "HomePod Mini and Apple TV Stock is Dwindling at Select Apple Stores Ahead of New Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Alongside iOS 26, Apple introduced a new tvOS 26 update for the Apple TV. tvOS updates aren't as feature rich as iOS updates and often go under the radar, so we thought we'd highlight some of the useful new features that you should check out.

• Liquid Glass - Liquid Glass has a subtle presence in tvOS 26, with Apple adding Liquid Glass buttons, interface elements, and Control Center. It's not as extensive as Liquid Glass in ‌iOS 26‌, and it blends in well with the tvOS operating system.


• Apple TV app - The ‌Apple TV‌ app has been overhauled and it displays more TV shows and movies on the screen at one time.


• Profiles - It's much easier to switch profiles in tvOS 26, so you can keep the content that you like separate from the content that other people in the family prefer. You can choose a profile whenever you wake your ‌Apple TV‌ up from sleep. You'll get better suggestions on a per-person basis, and it's a great way to separate kid content from adult content.


• Karaoke - When using Apple Music Sing, you can use your iPhone as a microphone. The ‌iPhone‌ can show you real-time lyrics, lyric translations, and lyrics pronunciation.


• AirPlay - If you use third-party speakers with the ‌Apple TV‌, you can now set them as the default AirPlay speakers. Your ‌Apple TV‌ will then automatically use those speakers and you won't have to select your speaker each time you use the device.


• FaceTime - FaceTime has been supported on the ‌Apple TV‌ since last year with an ‌iPhone‌ as the camera, but now there's an updated, card-style interface and support for Live Translation with captions.


• Screen Savers - You can pick your favorite screen saver categories, choosing cityscape, earth, landscapes, and more. Each person can choose their own screen savers if desired.

Have a favorite tvOS 26 feature? Let us know in the comments below, and check out our video for even more tvOS tips and tricks.
This article, "Must-Try tvOS 26 Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple has launched watchOS 26 for Apple Watch, and tvOS 26 for Apple TV. Both are major new software updates for those devices with the Liquid Glass interface update, and include a variety of new features and improvements, making them compelling updates to those in the Apple ecosystem. watchOS 26 Features, Compatibility, & How to ... Read More

Apple TV is getting revamped with tvOS 26 to include a variety of new features, including the new Liquid Glass interface look, Apple Music singalong features allowing you to use your iPhone as a microphone for Apple TV karaoke, new Apple TV screen savers and locations, and more. If you’re an Apple TV user, you ... Read More