This article may contain affiliate links. Learn more on our Partner Program page.
They've been available on TVs for years, but were previously missing on iPhones: profiles in the Apple TV app. The first beta of iOS 27.2 closes this gap and also includes the child profiles that Apple introduced last December. Age ratings range from 0 to 18 years.
With the first beta of iOS 27.2, Apple is changing not only the new Health app, which is being tested for the first time, but also the Apple TV app on the iPhone. It now allows users to switch between multiple profiles.
The foundation is tvOS. With tvOS 26.2, Apple introduced profiles without a separate Apple account and content restrictions for children's profiles to the Apple TV 4K. These same profiles are now also available on the iPhone.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The Apple TV app on the iPhone in iOS 27.2 Beta 1 supports profiles; new ones can be created directly in the app.
- Child profiles restrict series and films to a separate age group from "0 years and up" to "18 years and up", with the default setting being "6 years and up".
- Profiles can be protected with a four-digit code; automatic playback can be set for each profile.
- The managing profile sees playback and searches; the profile also appears on Apple TV and certain devices from other manufacturers.
What changes when the app starts
The profile menu is located in the top right corner of the app. Next to your own account, you'll find the options "Create TV profile" and "Account settings." Once another profile is added alongside your own, the app will ask who is watching each time it's opened. If you don't want this, you can permanently hide the prompt using a dedicated button.
A new profile only requires a picture, a name, and confirmation that it's for a child. It doesn't need its own Apple account; it's managed through the account it was created under.
Child profiles filter the offer
Once the "Child" switch is activated, two separate age ratings for TV shows and movies appear. The app does not display content with a higher age rating than the selected one.
| Category | Steps | Default setting |
|---|---|---|
| TV programs | Do not allow, Ages 0, 6, 12, 16, 18, No rating, Allow all | Ages 6 and up |
| Movies | Do not allow, Ages 0, 6, 12, 16, 18, No rating, Allow all | Ages 6 and up |
The age ratings are identical, but they are set separately, so a child can, for example, watch films rated for ages 6 and up, and series rated for ages 12 and up. Anyone creating a child's profile should check both values individually instead of relying on the default settings.
From TV to iPhone
Apple doesn't just offer profiles in the Apple TV app for its own streaming device. According to Apple's instructions for profile settings, they can also be switched and managed within the app on smart TVs and other living room devices. The iPhone was the only device that lacked this feature.
The app itself explains how the profiles are related during the setup process: A new profile is available on all supported devices where the managing profile is logged in, explicitly including Apple TV and certain third-party devices. If you create a child profile on your iPhone, it will also be available on your TV. Conversely, only the managing profile can delete such a profile, and according to Apple, it then disappears from all devices associated with that account.
Why children's profiles belong on the iPhone
A child profile is most useful where children watch unsupervised content, which is more likely to be an iPhone in the back seat than the TV in the living room. Under "Customize," you can also set whether the next episode or a recommendation starts automatically for each profile, and access to a profile can be locked with a four-digit code. Anyone wanting to switch back to the main profile must also briefly confirm their identity via Face ID, preventing a child from easily accessing adult content. Additionally, the parents' "Continue Watching" list remains free of children's shows.
Two points are involved in this calculation. According to the app's instructions, the managing profile has access to the child's profile data, such as playback and searches. And the restriction applies to the Apple TV app: other streaming apps, YouTube, and the browser remain unaffected; Screen Time with its content restrictions still applies to the entire device.
Do you let your kids use your iPhone to watch shows – and would a child profile in the Apple TV app change anything, or is that already handled by screen time limits? Tell us in the comments how you manage this at home.
