User profile for user: 8clay8
8clay8 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Navigating Two Screen Menus for content on my Apple TV 4K

Apple tv 4k is showing two screen menus for content on my system: 1.) VERTICAL MENU left side with my login name/icon at top and includes Library and all of my apple paid streamer subscriptions among the options and 2.) FULL SCREEN pool of icons ( like on Ios) including apple tv and some (but not all) of my paid streamer subscriptions billed on apple one. VERY DIFFICULT to navigate to these menus, hard to look up because no one seems to agree on the names for the two diferent menus, and I can't find consistent ways to access either one from my gen 1 apple remote. (control from up to date iPhone15 also a fail). A.) WHAT are these two menus called? B.)What are their two different purposes (or place in the hierarchy ) and C.)which buttons or gestures on 1st gen apple remote consistently accesses each one. There also a small system menu that randomly comes up on the top right with an off option etc. but this does not seem to relate to content. [ Samsung QLED smart TV || when you can find the content, the Apple TV plays ok ]


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Apple TV 4K

Posted on Dec 14, 2024 6:56 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Urquhart1244
Urquhart1244
User level: Level 10
150,236 points

Posted on Dec 15, 2024 2:14 AM

All these generic names (“Apple TV”) and repeated use for different purposes (Apple TV+, Apple TV app, Apple TV box, etc.) don’t make it easier. I agree on that. Someone in senior management thought it a tactical/​wise choice, though.


  1. The Apple TV app (“TV app”) is the app that has the Apple content: iTunes Store movies and TV shows (buy or rent); Apple TV+ channel featuring Apple Originals by subscription; other premium Apple TV app Channels, each by subscription. Apple likes to think of it as one app for all your watching needs, but that is wishful thinking of course, with so much third party content that isn’t featured there. The side bar inside the Apple TV app has ‘tabs’ for navigating various types of Apple TV app content. With the current naming, that includes for the Apple TV box: (Active) Account, Search within this app, Home page for this app, Apple TV+, MLS (soccer), Store (buy/rent items), Library (purchased buy/rent items), and optionally subscribed in-app channels, and select separate ‘connected’ content provider apps for inclusion in Continue Watching, in suggestions, and in the in-app search results. Apple TV app at a glance - Apple TV box user guide - Apple Support
  2. The Apple TV Home Screen is the overview with app tiles, somewhat reminiscent of a mobile device Home Screen or computer desktop. The Apple TV app is just one of the apps there. Apple TV box user guide - Apple Support


  • The Apple TV box settings allow configuration of the TV button on the remote, to either go to the Apple TV app (default) or go the Home Screen (my preference).
  • Repeatedly pressing Menu (or Back) should get you out of any app, and back to the Home Screen as well.
  • The software remote on iPhone (or iPad) intends to mimic the use and behavior of the physical remote. So, that is expected to fail or succeed in the same manner.
View in context

Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Urquhart1244
Urquhart1244
User level: Level 10
150,236 points

Dec 15, 2024 2:14 AM in response to 8clay8

All these generic names (“Apple TV”) and repeated use for different purposes (Apple TV+, Apple TV app, Apple TV box, etc.) don’t make it easier. I agree on that. Someone in senior management thought it a tactical/​wise choice, though.


  1. The Apple TV app (“TV app”) is the app that has the Apple content: iTunes Store movies and TV shows (buy or rent); Apple TV+ channel featuring Apple Originals by subscription; other premium Apple TV app Channels, each by subscription. Apple likes to think of it as one app for all your watching needs, but that is wishful thinking of course, with so much third party content that isn’t featured there. The side bar inside the Apple TV app has ‘tabs’ for navigating various types of Apple TV app content. With the current naming, that includes for the Apple TV box: (Active) Account, Search within this app, Home page for this app, Apple TV+, MLS (soccer), Store (buy/rent items), Library (purchased buy/rent items), and optionally subscribed in-app channels, and select separate ‘connected’ content provider apps for inclusion in Continue Watching, in suggestions, and in the in-app search results. Apple TV app at a glance - Apple TV box user guide - Apple Support
  2. The Apple TV Home Screen is the overview with app tiles, somewhat reminiscent of a mobile device Home Screen or computer desktop. The Apple TV app is just one of the apps there. Apple TV box user guide - Apple Support


  • The Apple TV box settings allow configuration of the TV button on the remote, to either go to the Apple TV app (default) or go the Home Screen (my preference).
  • Repeatedly pressing Menu (or Back) should get you out of any app, and back to the Home Screen as well.
  • The software remote on iPhone (or iPad) intends to mimic the use and behavior of the physical remote. So, that is expected to fail or succeed in the same manner.
Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Navigating Two Screen Menus for content on my Apple TV 4K

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up