The Apple TV is one of Apple’s most interesting hardware devices to bring the family together. After all, it enhances any smart TV with Apple’s tvOS by combining a great selection of apps, Apple services, and future-proof hardware, and the company offers several years of software updates and a processor as good as many powerful computers. That said, if you have an Apple TV and everyone in your family uses the set-top box, you’ll need to use multiple profiles, parental controls, and even Apple Music Sing, among several other features. While Apple still supports the second- and third-generation Apple TV 4K (both devices will receive Siri AI later this year), the company also recently announced a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, with a more capable processor, built-in microphones for better “Hey Siri” requests, and improved specs for a future-proof experience, such as the ability to pair four HomePod models to create fuller surround sound. That said, whether you have one of the older models or plan to upgrade to the new Apple TV, there are several features your family should use to enjoy more quality time together, make your recommendations truly yours, and more. Multiple Profiles The main feature that every family should use on an Apple TV is multiple profiles. After all, with a specific profile, Apple TV can personalize content based on what you watch on Apple TV (the streaming service), other streams connected through the Apple TV app, your photos, your Apple Music library, and your favorite workouts on Apple Fitness+. With this in mind, if your partner, children, or someone else in your iCloud+/AppleOne family wants to use Apple TV, they can also get personalized recommendations. While Apple TV will already suggest any Apple accounts you’ve linked in your family, you can easily add, delete, or remove profiles on the Apple TV 4K. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Profiles & Accounts > Add New Profile. Another option is to press and hold the small TV symbol on the remote to open Control Center > Profile > Add Profile. Once you sign in with an Apple account, you’ll stay signed in. If you have an admin profile, you can set custom or recommended content restrictions for these profiles, or create a child profile that doesn’t need to sync with an Apple account, providing age-appropriate content and search results. Once your child is old enough to have an Apple account, you can upgrade this profile to an Apple account. When you sign in to your Apple TV, open Control Center to select who’s using it so it shows the right recommendations on your home screen. FaceTime calling on a big screen With tvOS 17, Apple introduced FaceTime to Apple TV. While it doesn’t allow users to start a call directly on the set-top box, Apple made it easier to get closer by using the iPhone as the main camera. For example, if a relative who lives abroad calls you and you want the whole family to be together, that is the best way to enjoy this experience. After all, with the iPhone and Continuity Camera, everyone can appear on the call while the caller remains on the big screen. With the iPhone’s main cameras and Center Stage, everyone in the house can fit into the frame, move around, and even use gestures to react to what’s being said, like a thumbs up, a two-handed heart shape, etc. Better yet, users can use Split View to watch TV shows or movies with others during a SharePlay session (when the streaming service allows) while still seeing everyone on the FaceTime call. To enjoy this experience, go to Settings on your iPhone > FaceTime and make sure it is turned on. Otherwise, sign in to FaceTime with your Apple account. On Apple TV, with an iPhone or iPad connected as a continuity camera, select a recipient or contact from your list (or more than one for a group call), then select FaceTime Video or Audio. Parental controls gece333/Shutterstock If everyone in your family uses Apple TV, including children under 18, you can set up parental controls. With tvOS 27, Apple added new restrictions and better ways to prevent certain audiences from accessing inappropriate content. To activate restrictions, press and hold the TV icon on the remote to open Control Center, then select the parental controls icon. Another possibility is Settings > General > Restrictions. Turn it on and enter a 4-digit passcode. You can then select the activity you want to restrict, such as buying or renting TV shows, movies, and/or apps; access apps, TV shows, movies, music and podcasts based on ratings or explicit language; play multiplayer games, add people, or change Game Center privacy settings; change AirPlay, TV Provider, or Location settings. If you use Family Sharing, you can limit family members from purchasing items online and enable features like Request to Purchase, so you’re notified every time your kids want to buy something. That said, Apple notes that restrictions may not apply to App Store downloads, such as Netflix and other apps not integrated with the Apple TV app. In those cases, you may need to access each app individually to apply restrictions to specific content. Siri AI Starting with tvOS 27.2, Apple will enable Siri AI on Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and newer set-top boxes. To work, the new Siri requires an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, like an iPhone 15 Pro, nearby, although it might work better on an iPhone 18. With that, you can use the new Siri in a more natural voice, get information about TV shows, and even ask the personal assistant for world knowledge. Users can take advantage of the new Siri by activating it on an iPhone. With the latest tvOS software, they can summon Siri by voice or with the remote control to enjoy the new experience. Among suggestions for families, Apple says users can ask questions like “What Apple TV shows won at the Emmy Awards this year?”, which will bring up banners from the Apple TV app with relevant suggestions, or even deeper insights for questions like “Is this appropriate for a 15-year-old?” when talking about a movie or TV show. Apple says these answers appear in “a compact, subtle overlay, providing useful information when viewers ask questions while keeping them immersed in the action.” With the new Apple TV 4K, users can also use the three new far-field microphones to ask Siri even when audio is playing. This is the first time Apple has added microphones to the Apple TV, although previous rumors suggested the company could eventually add a camera to the set-top box. Apple Music Sing The fifth feature that families can enjoy along with an Apple TV is Apple Music Sing. Requiring a third-generation or newer Apple TV 4K, users can sing along to their favorite songs with real-time lyrics and turn down the lead vocals a lot. With that, all family members can sing, perform duets, and more. While users can also enjoy this functionality on iPhone and iPad, the best way to take advantage of it is on a big screen, as you can use Continuity Camera (the same FaceTime feature on Apple TV) to see yourself and your family members on screen while applying camera filters to make the experience even more immersive. To start enjoying Apple Music Sing, open the Apple Music app, select Play a song, and then select Lyrics at the bottom of the screen. Then, on the Apple TV Remote, press Back and then select Microphone. You can then adjust the voices by sliding the clickpad on the Apple TV remote. Alternatively, select the Apple Music Sing icon on Apple TV 4K, then display the playback controls, then select the microphone. There, you can scan a QR code to connect up to 30 iPhones and keep the party going all night. That way, every family member with an iPhone can sing along to their favorite songs, add songs to the queue, react, and use the Continuity Camera to make it even more joyful.
