How to Manage Parental Controls on Apple TV+

Want to make sure that your kids are watching child-friendly shows on Apple TV+? Fortunately, you can; here’s how.

Are you a parent and concerned about what your child is watching? You’re not alone. Many video streaming services have parental content controls, including Apple TV+.

But how do you manage parental controls on Apple TV+ across different devices? Let’s find out.

What Parental Controls Does Apple TV+ Have?

There is debate as to whether or not Apple TV+ is worth the subscription, but at least it’s easy to set the parental controls. The simple Apple TV+ parental controls don’t include many bells and whistles. Your options include:

• Locking an account with a restrictions passcode.
• Changing your restrictions passcode.
• Selecting your country’s national rating system.
• Changing your rating restrictions for movies.
• Changing your rating restrictions for TV Shows.

The settings you encounter may vary depending on the device or browser you’re using. You can access the settings on your Mac, iOS device, web browser, or while watching Apple TV+ on your Smart TV.

Apple TV+ will only stream content up to and including your selected rating. So, your kids can stick to watching content appropriate for their age group.

How to Set Apple TV+ Parental Controls on the Web

Using a web browser on your Mac or PC, visit tv.apple.com.

1. In the upper-right, click Sign In and enter the Apple ID for the account your kids use to watch Apple TV+.
2. Click the account icon in the upper-right, then Settings.
3. Scroll down to Parental Controls.
4. Under Content Restrictions, click the slider to Toggle On.
5. Enter a four-digit passcode of your choice and click Continue. Re-enter the passcode and click Continue again.
6. Enter the email address you’d like Apple to contact in case you forget your passcode and click Continue, then Done.
7. Click the TV Shows or Movies drop-down menu and select a rating.

Your settings will apply to Apple TV+ content that you or your kids view on this web browser, but not to other devices. For example, setting the restriction on your browser will not change the parental controls when viewing Apple TV+ content on your iOS device.

It’s important to note that NR may include content more explicit than G, even though it’s the first option in the drop-down menu.

How to Set Apple TV+ Parental Controls on Mac

You can change your restriction settings through your Mac’s Screen Time settings.

1. Click the Apple icon in the upper-left.
2. Click System Preferences.
3. Click Screen Time (it has an hourglass icon). Head to step five if your Screen Time option is on.
4. If your Screen Time setting is off, select Options in the left-hand column and, in the upper-right of the box, click Turn On.
5. Select Content & Privacy.
6. In the upper-right, click Turn On.
7. Choose the Stores tab.
8. Click the Movies or TV Shows drop-down menu and select your rating choice.

Now, if anyone uses Apple TV+ on your Mac, they won’t be able to watch content with a rating above your rating choice.

Changing your Mac’s content restrictions settings only apply to that device. For example, changing the settings on your Mac will not change restrictions on your iPad.

How to Set Apple TV+ Parental Controls on iOS

You can easily change the Movies or TV rating restrictions on your iPhone or iPad.

1. On your home screen, tap the Settings app.
2. Tap Screen Time.
3. If you haven’t previously done so, tap Turn On Screen Time. If it’s already on, head to step six.
4. Tap Continue.
5. At the Is This iOS device for Yourself or Your Child screen, select your option.
6. Scroll down and tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
7. Tap to toggle on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
8. Tap Content Restrictions.
9. Tap Movies or TV Shows and select your rating choice.

Changing settings on your iOS device will apply across all your iOS devices under that account. For example, if you change the settings on your iPhone, you also change them for viewing content on your iPad.

How to Set Apple TV+ Parental Controls on Your Apple TV+ Box or Smart TV

If you have an Apple TV+ Box, you’ll use its remote control to change these settings. Some Smart TVs will have an Apple TV+ app, and you can use your TV’s remote control to change the settings.

1. With your remote control, select the settings gear in the upper-right corner.
2. Under GENERAL, scroll down and select Restrictions.
3. At the Restrictions screen, select Restrictions to turn it on.
4. Enter the new four-digit passcode of your choice, twice for confirmation.
5. You’ll see the Password Created confirmation.
6. Select Ratings For, and select your country.
7. Choose either Movies or TV Shows.
8. Select your rating choice, Don’t Allow Movies, or Allow All (default).

Selecting Don’t Allow for Movies or TV won’t allow content of that category to stream, regardless of rating. For example, maybe you want to allow TV shows but not movies, even G-rated movies.

Rated PA for Parent-Approved

That’s it. You’ve set the restrictions. As a parent, you’ll be happy knowing that your kids won’t watch something they shouldn’t (at least, not on Apple TV+).

Rather than worrying about what your children are watching, you and your kids can spend time at home enjoying your Apple products.

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