What is Apple TV Plus?
Introduced earlier this year, Apple TV Plus (also called Apple TV+) allows you to stream Apple Originals content, ad-free, and on-demand with new titles added each month. Though I wouldn’t consider any of the current content on Apple TV Plus in the same category as HBO and its bloody “Game of Thrones” or naughty “Mrs. Fletcher,” not everything here is family-friendly. Because of this, some parental controls are probably warranted, depending on your situation.
Adding Parental Controls
Interestingly, content restrictions do not carry across different platforms. For example, a limit made on iPhone or iPad won’t also show up with Apple TV Plus when viewed through the web. Intuitively, this doesn’t make much sense, of course. Unfortunately, it’s the current process. When you sign in to tv.apple.com for the first time, you may be asked to add or verify a credit card to ensure the account holder has authorized viewing on the web. Then you can set limits on content by age rating.
On Mobile
You can set restrictions for Apple TV Plus 0n mobile devices, including iPhone and iPad, using Screen Time. With Screen Time activated:
Restrictions made on an iPhone, iPad, or iPhone using Screen Time carry over across similar mobile devices logged into the same Apple ID.
Through the Apple TV Mac App
Using the Apple TV app on Mac: When you attempt to play or download content that’s restricted, you’ll receive a message indicating that there’s a block on the content. The message offers a link back to the Apple TV preferences where you can make a change. Without a change, you can’t access the content using the Apple TV app.
On the Web
You can add parental controls to Apple TV Plus via a web browser. When set, the restrictions are available across all browsers, including Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. To add controls: Once completing these steps, the restrictions are immediate and are carried over across all web browsers and devices.
Content restrictions set through parental controls on tv.apple.com do not apply to Apple TV+ in the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, Mac, smart TVs, or other streaming devices.
On an Apple TV
Cupertino recently introduced profiles on Apple TV. However, these profiles have nothing to do with adding parental controls. Instead, the changes you make below are universal and affect everyone using the device. To restrict content on an Apple TV, follow these instructions: When you come across restricted content on Apple TV, you’ll be asked to add the previously mentioned passcode to override. The settings are carried throughout the Apple TV experience, not just for Apple TV Plus content.
You can adjust or turn off restrictions on Apple TV by turning off Restrictions in the Settings app.
On Your Smart TV or Non-Apple TV Streaming Device
Apple TV Plus is available on smart televisions from Samsung and LG, plus streaming devices like Rokus. Setting restrictions is similar on each:
Getting Apple TV Plus
Apple TV Plus is $4.99 per month (after a 7-day free trial) for a family. However, a free one-year subscription comes with any iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, or Mac that was purchased after Sept. 10, 2019, from Apple or an Apple authorized reseller.
To Sign Up for Service
If you don’t have a new device and would like to subscribe to Apple TV+, you can do so on any device with the Apple TV app, including Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac. Also worth noting is you can subscribe via the Apple TV app on Roku. You can also subscribe by visiting tv.apple.com. New subscriptions come with a 7-day free trial. Visit apple.com/apple-tv-plus for additional information on pricing. At launch, Apple TV+ is available for users in over 100 countries and territories across multiple platforms, including:
An iPhone or iPod touch with the latest version of iOSAn iPad with the newest version of iPadOSAn Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD with the newest version of tvOSAn Apple TV (3rd generation) with the latest Apple TV Software UpdateA smart TV or streaming box that supports the Apple TV appA Mac running the latest version of macOStv.apple.com in a Safari, Firefox, or Chrome web browser
As you can see, setting restrictions for Apple TV Plus content varies by device. In most cases, restrictions made on one device don’t carry over to the other. The only two times when this isn’t the case is when you’re dealing with iOS and Screen Time, and when restrictions are made on the web.
