How to Reset a Forgotten Password on Your Apple TV
Being locked out of your Apple TV due to a forgotten password is a common frustration. The solution depends on which password you’ve forgotten—your main Apple ID password or a four-digit Restrictions passcode. This guide will walk you through resetting both.
Resetting Your Apple ID Password
You cannot change your Apple ID password directly on the Apple TV. You must reset it on another device and then sign back in.
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On an iPhone, iPad, or Mac:
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Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign-In & Security > Change Password. Follow the prompts to create a new password.
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On the Web:
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Visit iforgot.apple.com from any browser, enter your Apple ID, and follow the steps to reset your password.
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After resetting, return to your Apple TV and sign in with the new password.
Special Case: Older Apple TV (2nd or 3rd Gen) with Two-Factor Authentication
These older models require a special sign-in method if you have two-factor authentication enabled.
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On the Apple TV, enter your Apple ID and password, but do not submit it yet.
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On your iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Get Verification Code.
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On the Apple TV, append the 6-digit code directly to your password in the same field (e.g., if your password is
abc123and the code is456789, enterabc123456789). -
Submit the combined password and code to sign in.
Resetting a Forgotten Restrictions Passcode
If you’ve forgotten the four-digit passcode for Parental Controls, it cannot be recovered. The only solution is to erase the Apple TV.
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For Apple TV HD/4K: Go to Settings > System > Reset. Choose Reset All Settings or Reset to perform a full factory reset.
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If You Can’t Access Settings: For Apple TV HD, you can connect it to a Mac via USB-C and use Finder to restore it. For other models, you may need to contact Apple Support.
Summary
In short, for an Apple ID password, reset it on another device. For a Restrictions passcode, a factory reset is your only option. Keeping your Apple ID credentials secure in a password manager can help you avoid this situation in the future.
