How to Know 5 Must-Know Apple TV Tips and Tricks

The Apple TV 4K has long been my preferred streaming device, thanks to its smooth performance and stunning video clarity. However, it comes with a few annoyances that can be quite frustrating.

For example, why does pressing the TV button on the Siri Remote redirect you to the Apple TV app instead of the main home screen? Why do promotional videos for Apple TV+ autoplay with sound without warning? And trying to accurately pinpoint a specific scene by awkwardly swiping the remote’s touchpad often feels like a waste of time.

Fortunately, these issues can be easily addressed with a few simple adjustments in the Settings menu. Keep reading for solutions to five persistent quirks that many Apple TV users encounter.

Quirk: The Siri Remote’s TV Button Doesn’t Return to the Home Screen

Initially, the Home button on the Apple TV remote was straightforward—it took you directly to the main home screen, where all your apps were easy to access, similar to an iPhone interface.

However, with the rise of the Apple TV app, pressing the Home button (later renamed the Siri Remote) now switches you to the Apple TV+ app instead of the actual home screen. This change can be quite inconvenient.

Fix: Reconfigure the Function of the TV Button on the Siri Remote

Thankfully, you can customize this behavior. Head to Settings, select Remotes and Devices, find the TV Button option, and choose between Home Screen or Apple TV App. Selecting Home Screen will restore the original functionality.

Quirk: Scrubbing Videos Is Too Difficult

When a video is paused, you can swipe the center of the remote’s touchpad to “scrub” forward or backward through the footage.

However, achieving precise scrubbing is tricky—often overshooting the desired spot or becoming frustrated with the process.

Fix: Use the Outer Edge of the Navigation Wheel for Scrubbing

If you’re struggling, try this trick: instead of swiping the central area, move your finger around the outer rim of the touchpad—clockwise to move forward, counterclockwise to rewind. This method allows for more accurate navigation within a video.

Ben Patterson/Foundry

Quirk: Auto-playing Videos on the Top Shelf

When browsing the Apple TV home screen, hovering over app icons often triggers promo images or autoplay videos at the top of the screen, known as the Top Shelf.

While this feature is useful, it offers limited control, especially with the Apple TV app. Usually, when hovering over the Apple TV app icon, a “What to Watch” preview plays automatically with sound—which can be distracting.

However, you can modify the Top Shelf behavior specifically for the Apple TV app to display upcoming content instead of autoplay previews.

Fix: Set the Top Shelf to Show Up Next for the Apple TV App

Navigate to Settings, then Apps, select TV, and scroll to the Home Screen options. Change the Top Shelf setting from What to Watch to Up Next.

This tweak displays your queued shows in the Top Shelf area, making it easier to pick up where you left off or jump to a preferred program.

Bonus tip: Adjust the Up Next Display to show either cover art or a static still frame, depending on your preference.

Ben Patterson/Foundry

Quirk: Auto-play Previews Include Sound

Another aggravating aspect of the Apple TV app is its tendency to automatically play preview videos with sound when hovering over content. This unanticipated audio can be quite disruptive.

Although you can’t prevent the preview from autoplaying, you can mute its sound.

Fix: Mute Auto-Playing Previews

Head to Settings, select Apps, then TV. Under Video and Audio, toggle off Autoplay Video Sound. Now, previews will play silently, avoiding unexpected noise.

Much more peaceful viewing awaits.

Quirk: Switching Between Apps Is Cumbersome

Navigating multiple apps with the Apple TV’s complex interface often requires several steps—exiting one app, returning to the home screen, and then launching another app, which can be tedious.

For example, if you’re in Netflix and want to watch Hulu, you’d typically press back repeatedly, return to the home screen, and then select Hulu. Even pressing the TV button is not always sufficient, depending on your setup.

Fix: Double-Press the TV Button to Switch Apps

A much simpler method: double-click the TV button. This action opens the app switcher, presenting your recent tvOS apps in a stack of windows.

Ben Patterson/Foundry

This method provides a simple way to jump directly into another app without navigating through multiple menus. Swipe through the app stack and select the desired application effortlessly.

This article is part of TechHive’s comprehensive coverage of the best media streaming devices.