Creating a new Apple TV subscription

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Level 1

33 points

Creating a new Apple TV subscription

What will change with my Apple TV app when I create a new Apple TV subscription? I am going to subscribe to Apple TV ($12.99). But, what will change with my Apple TV app when I do?

When I now click on the Apple TV app in the dock at the bottom I don't see a lot of things it seems I should see? When I subscribe what will change with the app at the bottom of my screen when I click on it after the new subscription? Will I have to sign in with a account or subscription number? Will Apple TV assign me a subscription or account number after I subscribe to Apple TV? And, then when I click on the Apple TV icon in the dock I will have to sign in? Or, will Apple TV automatically work like it should for a new subscriber when I click on the Apple TV icon in the dock?

I guess what I'm asking is just what will change with my Apple TV once I subscribe from what it is now? Will I see a new format and screen when I access Apple TV from what I see now? It just seems I don't see things with my Apple TV that I'm suppose to see when I look at info video's or instructions of how to access sporting events with my Apple TV.

Sure would appreciate some help and assistance for new Apple TV subscriber and new Apple TV user. Never watched a show or sporting event with Apple TV. Thank you.

iMac 27″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Mar 6, 2026 8:06 AM

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Answer 1

muguy

Level 10

94,382 points

Mar 6, 2026 12:45 PM in response to sciencemagic

If you are not already logged into your Apple Account in Apple TV, then you will need to do so, yes. You will not be asked to login again unless you log out.

There will be no difference in the interface. All content will be listed just as it is now. You can stream MLS, F1, and select MLB games once you subscribe to Apple TV+ in additional to all Apple TV+ content.

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Answer 2

muguy

Level 10

94,382 points

Mar 6, 2026 3:56 PM in response to sciencemagic

Correct. If not logged in you will need to do so. In the menu go to "account." You may be logged in already if you have content purchased in iTunes, connect to your library through an Apple TV (hardware), or by logging in to your iCloud account.

The app will just open. No content is missing. If you have not subscribed to Apple TV+ you simply cannot access content. Same with any other streaming provider offering content through Apple TV. Sports are available by scrolling down through content in the App on a Mac. You will not see a different app from what you currently see; the app is the same.

What I see in the Apple TV App on the Mac:

And at tv.apple.com:

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Answer 3

muguy

Level 10

94,382 points

Mar 6, 2026 8:22 AM in response to sciencemagic

Nothing will change with the app. You'l be asked to login using your Apple Account and will then have access to Apple TV+ content. Content from other providers may require separate subscriptions and previous purchases will be available from your library.

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Answer 4

sciencemagic Author

Level 1

33 points

Mar 7, 2026 10:04 AM in response to muguy

Hi muguy,

Thanks for your reply. I subscribed yesterday to Apple TV. $12.99 per month. When I did so, everything went seamlessly. No problems! My Apple TV account opened up the content I was looking for. Again NO problems. It appears I was over reacting to a problem that was not going to happen, which you probably already knew. Thanks for your patience!

I do ask a question though. I got a free subscription period when I signed up for the service. How will I know when that free subscription period ends and when my pay period starts? How do I access info in my account that will answer that? I also see when I get advice about my account, it says refer to my setting in my account. But, I don' have a listing for settings in my account, just system preferences. How do I find settings?

You've been a big help, muguy, THANK YOU!

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Answer 5

vazandrew

Level 8

41,136 points

Mar 7, 2026 1:37 PM in response to sciencemagic

If you go to the settings app on iPhone (or system settings on Mac) at the top will be your Apple Account. From there you can navigate to the subscriptions setting (an extra step on Mac, under Media & Purchases) and you will then see your Apple TV subscription, along with the date of the renewal (which will be when the trial ends). It will be set to automatically transition, so if you intend to continue then you don't need to do anything (whereas any cancellation needs to happen 24 hours prior to ensure it isn't billed).

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Answer 6

vazandrew

Level 8

41,136 points

Mar 8, 2026 6:00 PM in response to sciencemagic

Yes, it appears you are on a much older version of the operating system (latest version 26) so the steps would be different. Glad you found it. Just a word of advice, If at all possible it is see if you can update. It is recommended to be on the latest version as not doing so comes with risks and support is limited when issues arise.

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/109033

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Answer 7

sciencemagic Author

Level 1

33 points

Mar 6, 2026 10:52 AM in response to muguy

Hi muguy,

Thanks for your reply. So, when I click on the Apple TV app in the dock after I make the subscription I will be asked to log in. This would then be different being right now I don't login when I access the app from the dock without subscribing. After I subscribe, will I have to log in every time I access the app from my dock, or will Apple TV recognize me as a subscriber to Apple TV? Yes, I know these are probably very basic questions that most already know, but I'm completely new to Apple TV.

When I accessed video's before hand in how use the app, I simply don't see the same screen the video is showing that I see when I access my Apple TV app from the dock. So, I'm assuming once I subscribe I will see the same content the video's show. To be specific, I don't see any live sports I can choose from when I type in "live sports" in the search box now? But, I presume I will be able to have access live sports once I subscribe that I don't have now.

Will my Apple TV have a different "look" to it after I subscribe then with what I see now, muguy? Certainly appreciate your help, muguy. Thank you.

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Answer 8

sciencemagic Author

Level 1

33 points

Mar 6, 2026 3:38 PM in response to muguy

Hi again, muguy.

Thanks once again for your reply. I guess this where I get sort of confused? You said "If you are not already logged into your Apple Account in Apple TV, then you will need to do so, yes. You will not be asked to login again unless you log out."

Why I'm confused is that I have NEVER been asked to log in to Apple TV. When I click the Apple TV icon in my dock, the app opens with me doing nothing. I don't sign in. And, I don't see a link for me to log into the Apple TV app once I open it from my dock? The app just opens, but there is content missing when it opens.

Is it just possible I'm just automatically logged in? Frankly, seems odd. Especially when I have to log in to my Apple acc. when I open a message from this community forum link?

I plan subscribing later today to Apple TV, $12.99 per month. My worry is once I subscribe I won't see a much different app from what I currently see. And, I won't see a link to access live sporting events, which I don't currently see when I open the Apple TV app.

As I new user to Apple TV, just trying to avoid a problem BEFORE it happens. Certainly appreciate your help! Thank you, muguy.

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Answer 9

sciencemagic Author

Level 1

33 points

Mar 7, 2026 4:46 PM in response to vazandrew

Hi vazandrew,

Thank you for your reply. I don't see a link for system settings on my iMac. I just see system preferences, but no system settings? I've seen this situation before when I'm asked to go to system setting and my iMac OS doesn't show it. I also don't see links that are sometimes issued or requested by instruction I may get from Apple help.

I presume my system preferences would be the location to look for my account. But, I see no link when I access system preferences. I just sort of get lost when I can't locate links I just don't see when I access my system preferences.

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Answer 10

vazandrew

Level 8

41,136 points

Mar 7, 2026 5:25 PM in response to sciencemagic

It's not a link, it's the overall system settings for the Mac. You may find it in your dock, or you can also go to the top left where it shows the apple logo.

From there you go to your Apple Account and then select Media & Purchases

Then you will see the spot to manage settings for your account as well as manage any subscriptions.

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Answer 11

Urquhart1244

Level 10

150,358 points

Mar 7, 2026 11:47 PM in response to sciencemagic

I don't see a link for system settings on my iMac. I just see system preferences.

It is essentially the same thing. Starting with macOS Ventura 13, System Preferences was renamed to System Settings. It just means that your version macOS is Monterey 12 or earlier.

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Answer 12

sciencemagic Author

Level 1

33 points

Mar 8, 2026 5:13 PM in response to vazandrew

vazandrew,

Thank you for your reply. When I open system preferences from the dock a box or window opens. When that window opens there is no settings option. But, within that box/window there is a icon for my Apple ID. And, it appears that is where I find my account info.

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Answer 13

sciencemagic Author

Level 1

33 points

Mar 8, 2026 5:20 PM in response to Urquhart1244

Hi

Urquhart1244

User level:

Level 10

Hi Urquhart1244,

Understand now. While I still don't see system settings ANYWHERE within the system preferences link I do see a icon that shows Apple ID at the very top of the window. And that link/option has my account info. Got sort of confusing, but now understand how to retrieve my account info. I now know different Apple OS have different ways to do things too. Appreciate your help.

User level:

Level 10

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Creating a new Apple TV subscription

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