15 Must-Know Apple TV Tips and Hidden Features

Unlock the full potential of your Apple TV with these 15 tips and tricks for tvOS 17! From finding your remote to making FaceTime calls, and secret accessibility settings, discover how to enhance your viewing and control experience like never before.
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Chapters ➡
00:00 Introduction
00:23 Find Apple TV Remote
00:56 AirTag Remote Case
01:21 FaceTime on Apple TV
01:54 iPhone Apple TV Remote
02:40 Control Center
03:05 HomeKit Cameras
03:46 VPN on Apple TV
04:53 Parental Restrictions
06:00 Disable Auto-Play Videos
06:35 Light Sensitivity for Dimming
07:35 Accessibility Remote Shortcut
08:09 Remote Gestures
09:10 Apple TV Siri Commands
09:53 Picture-in-Picture
10:23 Apple TV Shortcuts
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[@XEVANSAWYER]

The fact that you can close your garage with your Apple TV remote is baller bro😂 I love it

[@LivingWithDragon]

I hadn’t thought to set up my VPN on my Apple TV. Good tip.

[@beardfm]

Great when traveling too!

[@misterman9816]

Most underrated Apple product in my opinion.

[@beardfm]

Agreed!

[@TheOneTrueGolden]

I’ve been saving up money for one the tvs great from what I’ve seen

[@amirreza851]

Yes but it doesnot have Browser yet 😂

[@Walkerchampa]

@@amirreza851why do you need a browser on your tv

[@ccryse06]

@@amirreza851who needs browser on a tv?

[@Zinberry]

Great video. Here’s an idea for an Apple TV Shortcut: wait 15 seconds and press the center button on the Apple TV remote so that it presses the ‘Skip’ button during KZbin ads.

[@ront335]

With or without an AirTag, those silicone covers for Apple TV remotes are essential. They makes the remote even easier to hold, they keeps the remote from sliding around on the couch or in bed thus getting lost, and they come in different colors. I know some Apple design purist types will object to these, but they are really useful.

[@beardfm]

Ergonomics vastly improve for sure.

[@kristinotto102]

FaceTime on Apple TV has been a game changer for my 4 young kids (6 and under). Everyone can see and be seen when we call out of town family members. We literally upgraded our ATV HD to the 4K version for this feature alone and it’s so worth it 😂

[@beardfm]

That’s awesome!

[@jpileggi1]

Fantastic job sir! You are a wealth of information for the Apple ecosystem and Apple Shortcuts. I never miss an episode.

[@beardfm]

Appreciate that!

[@richielovin91]

Amazing information, Sir 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@beardfm]

Appreciate that!

[@souchikjoardar201]

Stephen you air tag your apple tv remote? man I really respect u and I really aspire to be as successful as you are ! I love apple insider podcast keep up the great work !

[@beardfm]

Appreciate that! And you should check out my current tech podcast 👀 primarytech.fm

[@curtispazarjr4985]

Great review!!!!!

[@beardfm]

Appreciate it!

[@onde_onde0]

Thank you, i just got it. I was only using the Atmos feature, now that I've seen your tips, it is now 100% unlocked😚

[@beardfm]

Awesome!

[@JimFantazzia]

How do I make my background black like yours, I have it set to dark, but it’s more grey and your screens especially the settings are way more black then mine, I have the latest 4K model.

[@JoeKnowsWorst]

I did the same thing, found a cheap silicone cover for my Apple TV remote that has a space for an AirTag, it’s awesome, also much easier to grip with a case like that :)

[@beardfm]

Yes! Ergonomics immediately improved.

[@littlebluedinosaur]

We definitely need some snake cam! 🐍 good tip with VPN, thanks for great content as always

[@beardfm]

Haha snake cam is fun for sure!

[@oli-cj5zy]

I’ve been looking for a night shift alternative on the Apple TV since it’s not on there 😢. That light sensitivity feature is great

[@beardfm]

Glad that helped!

[@omarmazin2696]

I used Shield for years and though I will miss the Ai upscale feature greatly. The ATV (Which I bought yesterday) is so much better performance wise. It never stutters, the gestures are better, the remote feels premium, the UI is better, and the apps UI is also better, the software in general is far superior. Also, Spatial audio with my air pods is *chefs kiss*

[@beardfm]

Hadn’t used the shield so appreciate your comparison!

[@HughD]

Stephen, you always do a great job with your videos. Even though I consider myself reasonably competent with things like the ATV, I find that in watching your videos on a particular topic I always learn something or refresh my memory on something I once knew but have forgotten. Thanks and keep up the good work. I hope more viewers will subscribe to your channel as you certainly deserve to be over 100K.

[@beardfm]

Means a lot, thank you for saying that 🙏🏻

[@nchia]

I’d love the ability to put the passcode through my Apple Watch.

[@CorporateMotions]

Love this video, and all the Apple tips you do.

[@beardfm]

Appreciate it! Will keep em coming

[@nickk2727]

Can you set up shortcut or time automations for the accessibility features? I want the light sensitivity to kick on at 11pm and turn off at 6am.

[@beardfm]

Unfortunately those settings aren't available in Shortcuts to automate.

[@fulcrum8108]

reduce white point has been far more helpful for me with dimming the tv, i don’t like the hue that light sensitivity adds

[@beardfm]

Ah good tip!

[@RoloSolis81]

Excellent!

[@beardfm]

Appreciate it!

[@echoduce]

Very helpful tips. I’m in the process of setting up my Apple TV and home automation integration. BTW saw that you have a snake cam. You must live in Florida

[@beardfm]

Haha that's cold, but yes, I am in Florida! Originally from NY though. And if you're looking for home automation ideas: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJuwiZ58ra55m5Ysi=Ya7iuJP3jv7DM8_O

[@peterledniczky2966]

excellent video, now it really feels Apple TV is a next gen product, everything else is way behind.

[@beardfm]

I’ve tried Amazon Fire, Chromecast, and various Smart TVs, TV is def the best.

[@robertniepowiem5958]

Apple tv and NVIDIA shield are top 1 🎉

[@peterledniczky2966]

@@robertniepowiem5958 I have the Shield Pro as well, not even close.

[@mohamedrami7703]

Thank very much mister

[@beardfm]

Welcome!

[@wokethelast8498]

Don’t forget guys Apple TV doesn’t have those weird UI ads like roku

[@Nik_tech000]

What’s the wallpaper?

[@MicSolace]

Found this out by accident, but You can also bring up the accessibility shortcuts by double tapping the back button

[@beardfm]

Good call!

[@quiz.oclock]

Great video! I’ve been trying to get the remote on my phone to control the TV volume, but it doesn’t work, just turns the volume up and down on my phone… Any tips? It works fine with the actual Apple TV remote 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@beardfm]

And you have that setting I showed in the video enabled?

[@quiz.oclock]

@@beardfm Yup all identical 🤷🏼‍♂ It used to work with my phone when I was using my HomePods as TV output, but I can't change the TV volume with my phone😭

[@bryannicol3097]

I have the exact same situation. The setting is on as directed in the video but my phone does not change the tv volume, only the phone volume.

[@jcerda916]

Greetings What brand of cameras do you use with The Home interface

[@beardfm]

Logitech Circle View, Tapo, and Aqara

[@jcerda916]

@@beardfm is there a bridge that you have to connect to allow them on the Home app ? Or do they connect directly to the home app? Thanks

[@josephdelvin7771]

What camera system do you use that works with the Apple TV?

[@beardfm]

You can use your iPhone in continuity camera mode!

[@pampurrs88]

Where did you find the remote app for your iPhone? I have searched the App Store high and low and cannot find it. Please let me know.

[@Bricent]

On your iPhone Go to settings then scroll down to Control center and scroll down then you click on the plus sign where u see Apple TV remote and when that’s done u can swipe down you will see the remote control option!!

[@pampurrs88]

Awesome! Thank you.

[@fruitarian]

I heard from a reliable source that the Apple TV will change my life? If it doesn't , can I return it?

[@EricPinho]

TvOS 17 breaks audio with some sounds bars(Sonos beam) atoms is the issue.

[@beardfm]

Really? I have a Beam and Arc with Apple TVs running tvOS 17 and they've been fine.

[@user-gg1mv7bc9e]

2:10 how do I get the keyboard to come up on my phone all the time? I don’t care for the touchpad often,but it seems to only give me that. I get the keypad randomly but I don’t know how or when it’s going to happen. I prefer the keyboard more for faster searches, logins, etc.

[@beardfm]

Unfortunately you can’t control when it happens. IT tried to surface the keyboard when it detects text input, and the numpad for pin or account codes

[@user-dq7wk1tp9d]

Sadly i don't have VPN apps on my apple tv 4k. I think cause i live in Lebanon 🇱🇧. 😢

[@650Swift]

I don’t see that menu when I select remote on my iPhone

[@beardfm]

Make sure you’re on the latest tvOS

[@cleansport3757]

But how do you use Apple TV to play Atmos content via an AV receiver without having to have a projector or television turned ON? Can you? Thanks N

[@beardfm]

You can always turn the TV off after you start playing I believe, and depending on your receiver some of them offer Atmos music playback built-in with the receiver-specific app.

[@cleansport3757]

@@beardfm Thanks for the response

[@JoeKnowsWorst]

A much easier way to toggle between the TV app and your home screen is just simply hitting the home button :) you can choose which (home screen/TV app) is the default but if you’re at the TV app and just hit the home button, it goes back to your app grid.. much easier than holding the home button, at least in that example :)

[@beardfm]

I should've highlighted that feature, for sure. But I like holding the back button if I'm in an app or watching something to go to the app grid, and the flexibility of tapping the TV icon for the "Up Next" view.

[@ksharp02]

Restarting the Apple TV with the remote buttons does not work for me.

[@beardfm]

What model TV / Remote do you have?

[@ksharp02]

@@beardfm it’s the 2021 Apple TV 4K model

[@dhauxx]

Ever since the last major update the control centre randomly pops up twice when I switch the Apple TV on, which is annoying because the amount of times it's popped up just as I'm clicking on an app and end up switing it off instead.

[@beardfm]

That's odd, I haven't experienced that. 17.5 should be out soon though, may be a bug.

[@dhauxx]

@@beardfm I Just found out it was because of the auto power setting on my LG C2 TV, turned that off and it fixed the issue.

[@syahrulniezam]

Does VPN need to subscribe?

[@beardfm]

Many of the VPN apps are paid, yes.

[@a7xrotary]

How do i do all that without a shitphone

[@TexasHN45]

I swear find my remote feature is horrible

[@beardfm]

Hence the AirTag case for me!

[@TechHeadB]

Anyone else's homekit cameras never want to act right when trying to view them from the ATV? It takes me like 3 tries to get the video to actually show real time. Never the first time

[@CDubya.82]

Big Tip: Don't have one

[@mattlong568]

Worthless.

[@kencarruthers6714]

Great tips. But it’s useless to me without a live TV guide and I’m not prepared to pay for the privilege of one that should come free. Thanks anyway.

[@michaelmyersplays4992]

Tv guide ? Are you 60 unc

[@AR21]

Streaming services don't come with a TV guide.

[@llbpll]

It doesn’t play DVDs either, what an oversight.

[@itsmeoli3705]

@@llbpllI’m just annoyed Apple didn’t make it support Betamax

[@SuperDraupnir]

Why would you watch TV?

[@bboybrumley]

Apple TV is terrible. Phone app keeps opening constantly when trying to us the TV remote, and siri incorrectly finishes your searches. Horrible experience. Would not recommend if your TV is already smart.

[@curtispazarjr4985]

Great review!!!!!

[@beardfm]

Appreciate it!