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Prevent anyone from accessing iCloud Photo library on Apple TV?

iFanaddic

iFanaddic

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 24, 2008
819
242
Montréal, Canada
I'm running tvOS 12 Beta 6, since I just moved in with new roommates this month, I've been trying to make sure my personal stuff remains by personal. But I can't seem to be able to find a way to prevent someone to go incognito in my iCloud Photo Library as well as my Photo Stream via the Apple TV. Sure I can deactivate it, but Apple does not seem to require a password to reactivate it within the settings. I tried going into restrictions thinking maybe I can add an extra layer of security and prevent reactivation of my library without the use of a password but nope.

At this point, if someone came into my house and stole my Apple TV, I'm pretty darn sure they would have access to every single picture I took from my iPhone over the past years. Is this how it was on the non-beta software? Can someone confirm this?
 
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If someone steels your TV then I think your only option is to change your AppleID and iCloud passwords.
If the password is different then it can’t connect to retrieve the photos.
 
Thanks for the replies but my mains concern is not getting my Apple TV stolen. It’s knowing that anyone who has access to it automatically has access to iCloud Photo Library in a few clicks.
 
On the AppleTV 3, I can go in and customize the menus. Setting any channel to “hide” or “show” or “ask”.

If set to ask, then they have to enter my password to get into the channel. That’s assuming you set a password for content in the preferences menu.

This worked for iCloud photos as well.
 
flyinmac said:
On the AppleTV 3, I can go in and customize the menus. Setting any channel to “hide” or “show” or “ask”.

If set to ask, then they have to enter my password to get into the channel. That’s assuming you set a password for content in the preferences menu.

This worked for iCloud photos as well.
Click to expand...

Can you provide more info on how to accomplish this, I tried holding “play/pause” but didn’t see these options on tvOS 12 Beta 6
 
priitv8 said:
Try if the Restrictions setting allows you to block opening of Photos app:
https://appletvmanual.com/appletv-4k/restrict-access-to-content.html
Click to expand...

I’ve searched all the menus I can think of,

FYI the “Apps” restriction is only for age limit.

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I would look in the Apps menu. It currently says “All” in your screenshot. See if you can change that to require certain apps to require a passcode. Like an “ask” option.

I haven’t used the newer AppleTV yet. But on the 3 it was simple.
 
flyinmac said:
I would look in the Apps menu. It currently says “All” in your screenshot. See if you can change that to require certain apps to require a passcode. Like an “ask” option.

I haven’t used the newer AppleTV yet. But on the 3 it was simple.
Click to expand...

“Apps” is only for age restriction ratings
 
Yes.... on the AppleTV 3, I set up the parental permissions with a passcode.

Then you choose what requires the parental passcode.

I chose various channels including the iCloud photos to “ask”... which requires the user to input the passcode to get into that channel.

My thought is that perhaps the newer AppleTV versions would work the same way.
 
image.jpg
priitv8 said:
Thats weird then. I also remember that on aTV 3 you could simply remove icons from the springboard that you didn't want your kids to access.

This time flyinmac means the Apps menu in Settings, I guess:
Screen%20Shot%202017-01-01%20at%2012.02.59%20PM.png
Click to expand...

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flyinmac said:
Yes.... on the AppleTV 3, I set up the parental permissions with a passcode.

Then you choose what requires the parental passcode.

I chose various channels including the iCloud photos to “ask”... which requires the user to input the passcode to get into that channel.

My thought is that perhaps the newer AppleTV versions would work the same way.
Click to expand...
 
Looks like Apple may have removed that level of control in the newer models then.

Probably the only solution might be to log the AppleTV out of iCloud. And only let it fetch locally stored content in iTunes. Though obviously that may not be a convenient option.

Unfortunately Apple isn’t really about options. They’re about only doing it their way within their limits.
 
To me this is a security flaw. (Especially considering it can be activated without a password) I’m not sure everyone out there realizes how vulnerable their pictures are.

Just think about all the kids unsuspectingly sneaking around, jealous spouses or just a curious friends or roommates could have access to a whole lot more than one is willing to share!

Can someone who’s on a non-beta release confirm this is also the case on tvOS 11?
 
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iFanaddic said:
To me this is a security flaw. (Especially considering it can be activated without a password) I’m not sure everyone out there realizes how vulnerable their pictures are.

Just think about all the kids unsuspectingly sneaking around, jealous spouses or just a curious friends or roommates could have access to a whole lot more than one is willing to share!

Can someone who’s on a non-beta release confirm this is also the case on tvOS 11?
Click to expand...
I solved it by logging out of iCloud on my Apple TV 4. I’m logged into App Store and can still use all features I want except Pictures. I’m sure my Apple TV request my iCloud password when logging in.

Are there any features missing doing as I suggest (if so, then I’m not aware of it yet).
 
CyberVisitor said:
I solved it by logging out of iCloud on my Apple TV 4. I’m logged into App Store and can still use all features I want except Pictures. I’m sure my Apple TV request my iCloud password when logging in.

Are there any features missing doing as I suggest (if so, then I’m not aware of it yet).
Click to expand...

While this may seem like a reasonable workaround, it all depends on the features you need. Personally, I use apple music and my Apple TV acts as a hub for homekit, logging out of iCloud is not an option for me.
 
I just turn iCloud Photo Library off in tvOS 11.4.1 and immediately back on and I was prompted for my password. Couldn't get around it. However on subsequent times I can turn it off and back on.

I would try logging out of iCloud all together. Log back in but leave Photos off for an extended period of time to allow whatever counter is built in to expire. This is probably a "feature" so you aren't putting in your appleid password 20 times for every feature.
 
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One thing I've noticed is that iOS allows for "Hiding pictures." Using this features moves photos from albums and camera roll to a "hidden" album, which is the only place a hidden photo can be viewed.

Fast forward form the sentence above; hidden photos cannot be viewed from the Apple TV. Or rather I have not been able to find a way to view them from the Apple TV.

I realize this isn't the most ideal circumstance, but it might help with the more private photos you were referring to.
 
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kylew1212 said:
One thing I've noticed is that iOS allows for "Hiding pictures." Using this features moves photos from albums and camera roll to a "hidden" album, which is the only place a hidden photo can be viewed.

Fast forward form the sentence above; hidden photos cannot be viewed from the Apple TV. Or rather I have not been able to find a way to view them from the Apple TV.

I realize this isn't the most ideal circumstance, but it might help with the more private photos you were referring to.
Click to expand...

Thanks, yes I could do that thanks. but I still think Apple should fix this issue
 
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End of March 2020, actual AppleTV version 13.4, and it's still the same unresolved issue. I'm disappointed that it's still unresolved. There's no user context on Apple TV OS, except for TV+ app afaik. Photo app could take selected user and require password for such user (using iPhone or PIN) not only to protect photos, but also history and suggestions on apps like YouTube can take advantage of that.

I'd love to have photos synced to Apple TV and view them after authentication. Same for others at our home. Now, only AirPlay is the only secure way to do that. 😞

Also, it's been many months since Siri was disabled outside US. And there's no way for me to get it unless I sign out of iCloud account.
 
martin.hanes said:
End of March 2020, actual AppleTV version 13.4, and it's still the same unresolved issue. I'm disappointed that it's still unresolved. There's no user context on Apple TV OS, except for TV+ app afaik. Photo app could take selected user and require password for such user (using iPhone or PIN) not only to protect photos, but also history and suggestions on apps like YouTube can take advantage of that.

I'd love to have photos synced to Apple TV and view them after authentication. Same for others at our home. Now, only AirPlay is the only secure way to do that. 😞

Also, it's been many months since Siri was disabled outside US. And there's no way for me to get it unless I sign out of iCloud account.
Click to expand...

13.4 added a multi user setup for business apparently. I really hope this is coming to tvOs and iPadOS. If the tv were actually multi user it would be awesome.
 
ah, the convenience vs not being secured... It's a pain in the ***.. but one option is t just sign out after you've done, and sign in when you with..
 
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