How to easily authorize Apple TV Purchases via your Apple Watch

Apart from using Face ID or Touch ID on an iOS or iPadOS device to authorize Apple TV purchases, you can use your Apple Watch to do the same. The process is not so burdensome and can be completed in just a few easy steps.

Approve Apple TV Purchases through an Apple Watch

By default, your Apple TV will detect a nearby Apple device when you choose to sign in to supported apps or try to complete a purchase from the App Store. This saves both, time and effort and adds the convenience of not having to enter passwords manually on Apple TV. So, if you don’t mind authorizing your Apple Watch for completing Apple TV Purchases, follow these instructions.

1. Turn On your Apple TV.
2. Go to the Settings app.
3. Select Users & Accounts.
4. Choose the desired account.
5. Scroll down to Require Password heading.
6. Select the Purchases entry.
7. Enable the Always or After 15 Minutes option.
8. To complete the purchase, hit the Buy button on Apple TV
9. When prompted on Apple Watch, double-click the side button to confirm.

Note – the above method works for one-time purchases and subscriptions within the Movies/iTunes Store app, the Apple TV+ app, and some third-party apps available for tvOS.

How to authorize Apple TV purchases on Apple Watch

Thanks to the release of watchOS 8.5 and tvOS 15.4, you can now authorize Apple TV purchases using Apple Watch.

Before getting started make sure your Apple TV is updated to tvOS 15.4. Then, go to the Settings app.

Choose the Users &Accounts tab.

If there are multiple users listed, select the desired user.

When directed to a new screen, scroll down to the Require Password heading.

Under it, select the Purchases tab and click to expand it.

Then, from the list of options displayed therein, select the Always or After 15 Minutes tab as shown in the image above.

Now, whenever you attempt to purchase something from the App store o your Apple TV, you’ll get a prompt on your Apple Watch (assuming you’re wearing it). You’ll feel your Apple Watch buzz, just like it does when you’re attempting to unlock your MacBook.

Just double-click the side button to pay and double-click the side button again to confirm the purchase action.

That’s how you can authorize Apple TV Purchases via your Apple Watch.

Hope that makes sense!