Why no backup option for Apple TV?

Hmm... Yeah I see your point. From the wording I thought the OP was worried about losing Apps they had downloaded (either free or bought) and having to go look for them again. As for the lack of Time Machine for Apple TV the only explanation I have is Apple see the Apple TV as a relatively simple device with only a small fraction of data stored on it (and more than likely data that is already stored elsewhere, so that's your backup) compared to your computer which needs (and has with the case of Time Machine) a backup solution. With Apple TV, at the end of the day, we're only talking about Apps. Most if not all personal data will be store elsewhere on another device or in the cloud. Yes I have to agree it would be a pain to download them all again if you ever needed to reset the Apple TV but it's a relatively small inconvenience when you think about it. Apple may bring a backup solution to the Apple TV in the future if they see a need but if you really think about it apart from the time it would take to download your Apps and log back in to your services is not a huge inconvenience.

As I stated before all the Apps that you download (either free or ones you buy) are tied to your Apple ID. If you had to reset the Apple TV and it deletes all your Apps all you would have to do is sign in with your Apple ID. Your Apple ID keeps a list for you of all the Apps that you have downloaded and will give you the ability to download them all again from the one location. No need to try and remember them all. Apple does that for you.

In my case, it's not a huge deal to re-install the handful of apps I use. I do however really wish there was a way to backup all the settings, for the apps I've installed, the built-in apps and the general ATV4 system settings. That way, if I had to do a hard reset or replace a defective unit I could just enter my AppleID info once and have the box back to it's previous state. Very odd that so many want to debate this as being 'totally unnecessary'. Why would anyone >not< want this feature? If it were an option, then those who for some reason don't want it wouldn't have to use it... 😕

I think that by far one of the most annoying/time-consuming things to do on your Apple TV is re-authorizing or signing into apps. If anything Apple should find a way to let me either backup my entire TV state (apps, settings and auth) OR at the very minimum remember my authorizations.

The problem with this is that you have many different Apps. Most of those Apps Apple may have absolutely nothing to do with and they may require unique login details that, again, do not have anything to do with Apple's services. Does this mean Apple should be expected to capture and store these 3rd party details for services they don't have anything to do with? It's fair enough to backup those details for the App Store, iTunes Store or iCloud but I don't think Apple should be expected to backup my Spotify, Netflix, Facebook, etc, etc login details. This means Apple have to find a way to capture this information and make sure it is securely protected and also means they have to be accountable for data they have no reason or business for storing in the first place. I get what your saying for convenience sake, but surely there has to be a point that the user is responsible for their own accounts/services instead of adding yet another layer of complexity in having Apple look after them for you.

The problem with this is that you have many different Apps. Most of those Apps Apple may have absolutely nothing to do with and they may require unique login details that, again, do not have anything to do with Apple's services. Does this mean Apple should be expected to capture and store these 3rd party details for services they don't have anything to do with? It's fair enough to backup those details for the App Store, iTunes Store or iCloud but I don't think Apple should be expected to backup my Spotify, Netflix, Facebook, etc, etc login details. This means Apple have to find a way to capture this information and make sure it is securely protected and also means they have to be accountable for data they have no reason or business for storing in the first place. I get what your saying for convenience sake, but surely there has to be a point that the user is responsible for their own accounts/services instead of adding yet another layer of complexity in having Apple look after them for you.

I understand saving credentials for individual apps may not be possible but I don't see why there couldn't be a backup solution that included:

1. Restore (reinstall) all previously installed apps.

2. Restore iCloud account login and password.

3. Restore iTunes account(s) login and password.

4. Restore the iTunes purchase authorisation setting ("never ask" etc.) for all iTunes accounts.

5. Restore custom remote settings.

6. Restore paired devices

7. Restore all general tvOS settings e.g. sleep timeout.

8. Restore app layout.

I just had to do most of the above and its painful.

But, if like me, you have 20-30 apps you must download them individually, sign into them individually, and re-verify all the local channels through their web sites. (All of it amounts to a HUGE headache.)

Game data is wiped on factory reset so having a back up would be useful for restoring game progress. As the ATV4 seems quite app-centric, this seems an oversight.

You all have valid points and the ATV is developing into a more complex platform than before. Apple does have methods to back up other devices they make for this very purpose. I suggest you submit a suggestion to add this as a feature and point out the various valid points argued here.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/appletv.html

Gee, would never have thought to do that

I just had the case that I deleted one of my purchased apps - and could not download it anymore, because it was not available in the store anymore. So the local backup in my opinion is a must!

Greetings

Andreas

I agree. Having a legitimate backup of my Apple TV (4th Generation) would have been very convenient when mine turned into a paperweight yesterday. After the Apple Store Genius couldn't fix it, he replaced it. It would have been great to just plug it in and have it restore from an iCloud backup. We pay a premium for Apple products and deserve such a convenience. I believe that it's within Apple's abilities to make this happen. I will be sending them feedback after I post this.

Thank you for your time.

The solved answer of Nov 10, 2015 said that if it ever needed to be replaced or reinstalled that everything will be fine but I see as of the latest reply that's not true. So, what's the status of this issue?