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tvOS 26 Introduces Automatic Sign-In Feature for Apple TV Apps

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Apple this week introduced a new Automatic Sign-In API, which will make it easier to sign in to apps across multiple Apple devices.

apple tv app 1
Starting with Apple's latest software releases, such as iOS 26 and tvOS 26, you will be able to sign in to a supported app on one Apple device and automatically be signed in to the app on other Apple devices. For example, if you sign in to the Disney+ app on your iPhone, you would automatically be signed in to the Disney+ app on your Apple TV. However, it will take time for developers to begin implementing this functionality.

Apple says this feature will eliminate the need to re-enter usernames and passwords across its software platforms, by linking app logins to a user's Apple Account.

tvOS 26 is currently available in beta.

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Top Rated Comments

turbineseaplane Avatar
turbineseaplane
12 months ago
I feel like we've heard this before.

As always, with this type of feature, you're counting on buy-in from other major companies with their Apps.

That buy-in is notoriously hard to get sometimes, especially since Apple directly competes with many of them via Apple TV+.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BeerDrinkerDan Avatar
BeerDrinkerDan
12 months ago

That is good news. On the other hand, I don’t even remember when I actually had to sign in into any of the apps I’m using on the ApoleTV
Oh man, Hulu logs us out regularly (Apple 4k 3rd Wifi+Ethernet, updated TVOS). Not all the time, but I'd guess once a month or slightly more frequently. Sucks.

-bdd
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
crizzly Avatar
crizzly
12 months ago
Does this trickle down to the profile level? For example, each profile on the Apple TV could login apps (like YouTube) to their respective account or is this supposed to be more of a device level feature?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jgreg00 Avatar
Jgreg00
12 months ago

Ah yes the apple of nowadays: “We have something cool for you, but… it’s gonna take a while before you get it”.

Stop announcing stuff that isn’t ready year. FFS!
I mean, they have to announce it so that developers know about and so that users can pester those developers about adding it to their apps. Sometimes that works well and there is a lot of buy in. Sometimes it doesn't work well and there is a lot of feetdragging...like with adding drivers license in Apple Wallet. It's insane that there are still only about 10 states that let you do that.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nuckinfutz Avatar
nuckinfutz
12 months ago
I'm going to be highly pissed if developers don't support this and i'm looking at you Netflix.

Since my wife watches streaming media from a variety of platform she's always getting signed out of other device and then i've got to go digging through 1Password to find the login information.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jeaz Avatar
Jeaz
12 months ago
With Apple finally adding the profile check when you start up, I hope all the app devs also tie their user selection to the profile making it a seamless experience. One can dream at least…
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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