The Apple TV is a user-friendly product from Apple, but with some tweaks you can adjust the device more to your will. In this article, we’ll highlight a few lesser-known tips for you.
The Apple TV main screen and app download may speak for itself, but you may be wondering what else you can do with the device. However, Apple’s set-top box can do more than you think. We list a number of tips.
1. Manage storage
The Apple TV comes in two flavors, with 32GB or 64GB. If you install a lot of apps, you may run out of space. You can ditch the apps from the main screen, but it can also be easier. On the Apple TV, go to ‘Settings’, choose ‘General’ and then ‘Manage storage’. In this screen, all apps are listed and you can immediately see how much space they take up. You can immediately delete them via the trash can icons.
2. Everything in folders
With the advent of tvOS 9.2 it became possible to collect apps in folders, so that your main screen is better tidy, especially if you have a lot of apps. Organizing apps in folders works the same as on iOS. You select an app and drag it over another to merge them into a folder. You can read all about this tip here.
3. Add multiple accounts
The Apple TV is not tied to a single Apple ID. You can link multiple accounts via the settings. This is useful in a family with people who have different preferences – for apps, for example. Go to ‘Settings> Accounts> iTunes & App Store’ and select ‘Add Apple ID’. Once that’s done, you can switch accounts in Settings> Accounts> iTunes & App Store.
4. Remote control on regular TV
Your Apple TV remote can also work with your regular television. At least some features. Go to ‘Settings> Remotes and Devices> Control of TVs and Receivers’ and switch it on. To adjust the volume of your television, set the option behind ‘Volume control’ to ‘Automatic’, for example.
5. Mac screen on your TV
The Apple TV makes it possible to stream images from your Mac (Book) to the television. This can be done completely wirelessly via AirPlay. To do this, go to the AirPlay icon (top right in the menu bar of the Mac) and choose Apple TV. If you want to know more, read this extensive tip article.
6. Take a screenshot
You can also take screenshots on the Apple TV, just like on the Mac or on the iPhone. You need a few things for this: QuickTime and a USB-C cable that goes into the Apple TV on one end and your Mac on the other.
Now open QuickTime, go to ‘Archive’ and choose ‘New Movie Recording’. There is a down arrow next to the record button. Click on that and choose the Apple TV. The images will now appear in the player. To take a screenshot, press ‘CMD + Shift + 4’ and then space. If you now click on the image in the player, he will take a screenshot.
7. Set up new screensavers
If you don’t do anything with the Apple TV for a while, the image will switch to its screen saver function. You can set what you want to see via ‘Settings> General> Screensaver’. Here you set the type, for example the moving aerial photos from Apple or your own photos. You can indicate when new ones should be downloaded. The default is monthly, but you can also choose daily, weekly or never. Downloading new screen saver images will cost you about 600MB.
8. Adjust resolution
If you stream a movie from iTunes, it will be done in 1080p by default. But if you notice that your connection is not good and the image starts to stutter, a lower resolution might be easier to handle. Go to ‘Settings> Audio and video> Resolution’. In the next screen you can determine yourself which resolution with which refresh rate you should use the Apple TV. The device takes care of it itself on automatic. If the colors or brightness of the image are not correct, you can choose HDMI output at ‘Audio and video’, where you can try adjustments yourself.
Opinion: The Apple TV is that good as a video platform
9. Remote sensitivity
If the touchpad goes too slow or too fast in your opinion, it is possible to adjust the sensitivity. You do this by going to ‘Settings> Remotes and devices’. Select ‘Touchpad tracking’ and then indicate whether it should be set to slow, normal or fast.
10. Manage open apps
You can quickly switch apps on the Apple TV, just like on iOS. You do this by clicking twice on the ‘screen’ button on the remote control. You will then enter a window where all your open apps are next to each other. You can navigate through them by swiping the trackpad and close apps by swiping them up.
11. Control with your iPhone
If you are not a fan of Apple’s remote control, because you cannot type easily, for example, use your iPhone. You can connect the phone to the Apple TV with the special Remote app. In this article you can read exactly how that works.
If you are considering buying an Apple TV, don’t forget our extensive Apple TV review to read.
Read more about the Apple TV
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- New Apple TV gets modified remote control (24-3)
- ‘Apple will unveil new products on 23 March during online event’ (8-3)
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