How do I activate an existing CBS AllAccess account on new Apple TV device?

I have CBS AllAccess on a Fire TV Stick on one television. I have purchased an Apple TV for another television. CBS AllAccess subscriptions allow simultaneous use on up to three devices. How do I activate the existing account on the new Apple TV?

Apple TV HD, tvOS 13

Posted on Sep 16, 2020 11:06 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 17, 2020 5:40 AM

The post "Sep 16, 2020 11:52 PM in response to plaidflannel" from Urquhart1244 DID solve my problem.


After using the Amazon Fire TV Stick for several months, I am finding the interface to the Apple TV to be more difficult to navigate. A Google search for information on how to install CBS AllAccess on the Apple TV said to look for the App Store in the top menu bar. I interpreted that as meaning a row of text links at the top of the screen. It turns out that the App Store icon was several rows down (and off the screen) in the colorful rectangles.


My second error was that I was trying to find "CBS AllAccess". In the App Store, there was only "CBS Interactive". After installing that app, I was able to use the login credentials for my existing CBS AllAccess account. A cursory examination suggests that all of the programming in "CBS AllAccess" on my Fire TV Stick is also available in "CBS Interactive" on the Apple TV.


Thanks to Urquhart1244 for the detailed help.


Now all I need to do is find a user-friendly third-part remote control for the Apple TV to replace the clumsy one that came with the device.

10 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 17, 2020 5:40 AM in response to Urquhart1244

The post "Sep 16, 2020 11:52 PM in response to plaidflannel" from Urquhart1244 DID solve my problem.


After using the Amazon Fire TV Stick for several months, I am finding the interface to the Apple TV to be more difficult to navigate. A Google search for information on how to install CBS AllAccess on the Apple TV said to look for the App Store in the top menu bar. I interpreted that as meaning a row of text links at the top of the screen. It turns out that the App Store icon was several rows down (and off the screen) in the colorful rectangles.


My second error was that I was trying to find "CBS AllAccess". In the App Store, there was only "CBS Interactive". After installing that app, I was able to use the login credentials for my existing CBS AllAccess account. A cursory examination suggests that all of the programming in "CBS AllAccess" on my Fire TV Stick is also available in "CBS Interactive" on the Apple TV.


Thanks to Urquhart1244 for the detailed help.


Now all I need to do is find a user-friendly third-part remote control for the Apple TV to replace the clumsy one that came with the device.

Sep 16, 2020 2:55 PM in response to plaidflannel

You may want to contact CBS AllAccess to see if they have a possible solution, however I doubt they do. I use them, I simply took advantage of the bundle offer of CBS AllAccess and Showtime. Not a bad deal if you have any interest and may save you a bit if you like content on both. Obviously you would have to get rid of your current subscription but talk to CBS to see what they recommend.

Sep 16, 2020 12:41 PM in response to plaidflannel

Do you have the CBS All Access subscription through CBS, or through Amazon?

To use the CBS All Access app on Apple TV with a subscription not on your Apple ID, then you will need the sign in through the app with your CBS subscription credentials (username and password).

You do not have access to the Apple TV app Channel CBS unless you subscribe from the Apple TV app, and then you will have to watch through the Apple TV app.

Sep 16, 2020 10:52 PM in response to plaidflannel

I have tvOS 13.4.8; the device is HD, not 4K.

Both models should have the exact same App Store.


I do not see the App Store icon anywhere on any screen.

Unless it is a deployed device (e.g. managed by employer or edu institution) with restriction to not have access to the App Store, it should have the App Store among the other apps on the Home Screen. Normally the App Store can’t be hidden or deleted.


How do I find it?
  • Scroll down on the Home Screen to see icons that may be out of view initially.
  • Search in folders, if your home screen has folders (grouped icons). It may have been moved there accidentally. The preview of folders may show 9 smaller icons, but folders can have multiple ‘pages’ of 9 icons per page (similar to iOS).
  • Use the Search app (with magnifying glass icon) to find the App Store. Or to find the wanted app directly.
  • Ask Siri to “Open the App Store”, or ask to “Find the CBS All Access app”. It should go to the App Store page for that app and offer download and install options (“Get”).


A default setup would likely have the App Store app in the first row, and on the right. But users can rearrange the apps on the Home Screen, so it can be elsewhere.

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How do I activate an existing CBS AllAccess account on new Apple TV device?

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