For years, Apple TV users have shared one frustration, creating a new profile meant signing in with a full Apple ID, even for something as simple as letting a guest watch a show. Apple has finally listened.
With the tvOS 26.2 update, now in beta testing, the streaming box is getting a long-awaited feature that feels surprisingly overdue: profile creation without an Apple ID.
You can now open Settings, hit “Create Profile,” add a name, and choose a rating, that’s it. No iCloud, no passwords, no waiting for verification codes. And if it’s for a child, one checkbox instantly transforms the experience into a kid-safe environment.
Once the child profile is active, adult-rated content vanishes from view. The Apple TV app automatically filters out mature titles across the Store and Library, leaving only age-appropriate options. Parents can even fine-tune the limits further, ensuring that the device finally behaves like a responsible babysitter.
A Major Win for Families (and Sanity)
For parents, this change is huge. It’s the closest Apple has come to a true Kids Mode on Apple TV, something the community has been requesting for years. No more juggling logins or creating separate Apple IDs just so your five-year-old can watch Bluey without stumbling across Game of Thrones.
But the benefits go beyond parenting. Guest Mode makes life easier for everyone. Have friends over for a movie night? They can create their own profile so their viewing habits don’t distort your “Up Next” queue or algorithmic suggestions. It’s simple, clean, and respectful of personal preferences, a rare thing in streaming interfaces.
Sharing Without the Headache
The update essentially transforms the Apple TV into a truly shared device. Roommates, family members, or visiting guests can all have distinct spaces, each with separate watch histories and recommendations.
Crucially, this new setup also removes the barrier of Apple’s ecosystem lock-in. Guests don’t need an Apple ID to enjoy the platform, finally making the Apple TV feel more open, and more human.
When It’s Coming and What’s Next
tvOS 26.2 is currently in testing and expected to roll out to everyone by mid-December. Apple has hinted that these non-Apple ID profiles could also expand to other devices with the Apple TV app, including smart TVs, which would make this new flexibility even more valuable.
If that happens, the Apple TV experience could finally evolve from a walled garden into a welcoming living-room hub, one that actually understands that not every user under your roof needs an Apple ID to press play.
