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Apple TV Introduction & Features

#apple tv#streaming
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Last updated on February 24, 2026

Introduction

Welcome to your Apple TV! As a Marshmallow Streaming customer, you are using one of the most powerful and user-friendly streaming devices on the market. This guide will help you master your Apple TV Siri Remote and unlock features you might not know you had, from taking FaceTime calls on your TV to using your iPhone as a backup remote.

Switch Users

If multiple people in your home use the Apple TV, setting up individual profiles keeps everyone's "Up Next" queues, music recommendations, and app layouts separate.

To switch between users:

  1. Press and hold the TV/Control Center button (the icon that looks like a TV screen) on your remote for about 3 seconds to open the Control Center in the top right corner of your screen.
  2. Select the Profiles tab (it looks like a person icon or your profile picture).
  3. Choose the profile you want to switch to.

Fast Forward / Rewind Playback

The Apple TV Siri Remote has a touch-sensitive clickpad that makes skipping through commercials or re-watching a scene incredibly precise.

  • To skip 10 seconds: Click the Right edge of the circular clickpad ring to jump forward. Click the Left edge to jump back. Click multiple times to skip further.
  • To scrub quickly: Press the center of the clickpad to Pause the video. Then, rest your thumb on the touch-sensitive pad and swipe left or right to glide smoothly through the timeline. Click the center again to resume playing.+1

Siri Commands

The microphone button on the side of your Siri Remote is your fastest way to navigate the Apple TV. Press and hold the Siri button, speak your command, and release the button when you are done.

  • Global Search: While on the Home Screen, ask Siri to find content across all your apps. (e.g., "Show me comedy movies" or "Find The Office").
  • In-App Search: If you are already inside an app like YouTube TV, navigate to the search option then will search specifically within that app.
  • Commands: You can use Siri to control playback and settings. (e.g., "Turn on closed captioning," "Fast forward 3 minutes," or "What did they just say?" which will rewind 15 seconds and temporarily turn on subtitles).
  • Ask a Question: Siri can give you information without interrupting your show. (e.g., "What's the weather like tomorrow?" or "What is the score of the Bulls game?").+1

Connect AirPods

If you want to watch TV without waking up the house, you can easily connect your Apple AirPods or Beats headphones.

  1. Put your AirPods in your ears and sit near the Apple TV.
  2. A notification will pop up in the top right corner of your TV screen.
  3. Press the TV/Control Center button on your remote to instantly connect them.
Note: If the prompt doesn't appear, press and hold the TV button to open the Control Center, navigate to the Audio tab, and select your AirPods from the list.

FaceTime

You can take FaceTime video calls right on your big screen using your iPhone or iPad as the webcam (a feature called Continuity Camera).

  1. Open the FaceTime app on your Apple TV home screen.
  2. Select your profile. A notification will be sent to your iPhone or iPad.
  3. Tap the notification on your personal device to confirm.
  4. Prop your iPhone up near your TV with the rear camera facing you, and start your call on the big screen!

AirPlay

AirPlay allows you to "cast" specific videos, music, or photos from your Apple device directly to the TV.

  1. Open a video or song on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  2. Look for the AirPlay icon (a rectangle with a triangle pointing up into it).
  3. Tap the icon and select your Apple TV from the list. The media will start playing on your TV while you continue to use your phone for other things.

Screen Mirror

Unlike AirPlay, Screen Mirroring displays exactly what is on your iPhone or iPad screen onto the TV in real-time.

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top right corner to open the Control Center.
  2. Tap the Screen Mirroring icon (two overlapping rectangles).
  3. Select your Apple TV from the list. If a passcode appears on your TV, type it into your phone.

iCloud Photos

You can view your entire iCloud Photo Library on the big screen, or set your favorite albums to be your Apple TV screensaver.

  1. Open the Photos app on your Apple TV.
  2. If it's your first time, it will prompt you to turn on iCloud Photos.
  3. To set a screensaver, navigate to Settings > General > Screensaver > Type > My Photos and select the album you want to display when the TV is idle.

iPhone as a Remote

If your physical Apple TV remote is lost in the couch cushions, your iPhone has a built-in backup remote!

  1. On your iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to open the Control Center.
  2. Tap the Apple TV Remote icon (it looks like a remote control).
  3. Select your Apple TV from the dropdown menu. You can now use your phone's touchscreen to navigate, pause, and play.