With tvOS 26, Apple has finally solved one of the Apple TV’s most annoying problems. From this software update, apps can automatically fill in your login details, just like you are used to on iPhone, iPad and Mac. From now on you no longer have to laboriously enter passwords with the remote control.
Logging in to streaming services such as Netflix, Disney Plus or HBO Max has always been a time-consuming task on the Apple TV. With the small remote control you had to enter your email address and password letter by letter. You could use your iPhone as a keyboard, but that was also a difficult job. Thanks to tvOS 26, this is a thing of the past, because Apple introduced automatic login for apps on the Apple TV.
This is how automatic logging in to Apple TV works
The new feature works similar to autofilling passwords on your iPhone or iPad. If you regularly save login information in the Passwords app, your Apple TV will also know this information. As soon as you try to log in to an app, your email address and password are automatically filled in.
The condition is that your login details are linked to the Apple Account that you use on the Apple TV. All saved passwords in your iCloud Keychain are then immediately available. This saves a lot of time and effort, especially if you use multiple streaming services.
New API for developers
Apple introduced a special API for developers in tvOS 26 that links app logins to an Apple Account. This allows developers to equip their apps with auto-login support. Once logged in one Apple deviceyou are automatically also logged in on your other Apple devices.
This means that you can, for example, log in to Disney Plus on your iPhone, after which you are automatically logged in to the Disney Plus app on your Apple TV. This feature works not only for tvOS 26, but also for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe. It provides a seamless experience between all your Apple devices.
Not all apps support the function yet
Although Apple added the capability in tvOS 26, developers have yet to implement this functionality in their apps. Not all applications will have support for automatic login immediately after the launch of tvOS 26. Developers can now get started with the new API to update their apps.
It is still unknown when popular streaming services such as Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max and Videoland will implement this change. Major services are expected to add this useful feature soon, as it significantly improves the user experience. So keep an eye on the App Store for updates to your favorite streaming apps.